Desertification – causes and strategies
I can explain the causes of desertification and the strategies used to reduce the risk of desertification.
Desertification – causes and strategies
I can explain the causes of desertification and the strategies used to reduce the risk of desertification.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Desertification is a serious threat in hot desert environments.
- There are several causes of desertification including climate change, population growth and removal of fuelwood.
- There are several strategies used to reduce the risk of desertification including soil management and tree planting.
Keywords
Desertification - the process by which land becomes desert due to climate change, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture
Drought - a long period of time with little or no rainfall, leading to a shortage of water
Deforestation - the action of clearing a wide area of trees
Mitigation - the action of reducing the severity or seriousness of something
Common misconception
Desertification only occurs in existing deserts.
Desertification can occur in any fertile land that becomes increasingly arid, not just in deserts.
To help you plan your year 10 geography lesson on: Desertification – causes and strategies, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 geography lesson on: Desertification – causes and strategies, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 geography lessons from the Hot deserts unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
4 Questions
the process by which land becomes desert
a long period of time with little or no rainfall and water shortage
the action of clearing a wide area of trees
the action of reducing the severity or seriousness of something
collects and stores the limited rainwater for people to use
creates stepped fields to slow water movement
drips water directly onto the roots of vegetation
plants trees to stabilise the soil and reduce erosion
moves crops and livestock to allow soil recovery