Desertification in africa with special reference to east africa

Abstract

Desertification is the process of vegetation and soil deterioration. It is a result of improper landuse primarily by man (sometimes unwittingly). It brings about reduction in plant and animal biomass in the affected area. This paper examines the causation and the extent of desertification in Africa. It reveals that over 2/3 of the surface of the continent is adversely being affected by desertification. The main causes of desertification are overgrazing, deforestation, bush fires, extension of cultivation into marginal areas and generally, inappropriate agricultural practises. These activities in turn, generate/accelerate soil erosion by water and wind. They are turning large parts of the continent into deserts. Clearly the most susceptible areas are the marginal lands-hence the idea of the advancing Sahara Desert southwards. However the savanna and other tropical areas are also under threat of desertification. The most important point is how to effectively combat desertification over the continent. Significant constraints are discussed in the paper including the problems of underdevelopment and the inability of many states in Africa. Detailed inventory of land potential and of desertification 'threat' map as it were, should be compiled. Also, many of the affected areas are unmapped and understudied. Combating desertification sometimes requires transnational measures which commonly require international support. The efforts of many African states to combat desertification is noted and in this regard, the work being done in northern Kenya with the help of UNESCO and the West German Federal Government under the Integrated Project on Arid Lands (IPAL) and now, Kenya Arid Lands Research Station (KALRES), promises to provide a most appropriate method for understanding (before rehabilitating), these rather degraded (desertified) parts of the continent. The paper concludes by showing that research into desertification process and management is still incomplete and appeals to other international scientists to be involved. The subject is interdisciplinary with all the earth scientists, sociologists, ecologists, geographers, demographers and agriculturists all being capable of contributing usefully