New
New
Desertification – causes and strategies
I can explain the causes of desertification and the strategies used to reduce the risk of desertification.
Lesson 5 of 5
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Desertification – causes and strategies
I can explain the causes of desertification and the strategies used to reduce the risk of desertification.
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.
GIS could be used in this lesson to help students make the link with climate change and changes in seasonality such as the migration of the ITCZ. Utilise Google Earth and search for the desertification of the Sahel 1990-2020 to show these changes.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Hot deserts are found near the...
Hot deserts are found near the...
north and south poles
Pacific and Atlantic Ocean
Q2.There is very little in hot deserts because of the harsh climate. Few species are specialised enough to survive there.
There is very little in hot deserts because of the harsh climate. Few species are specialised enough to survive there.
Q3.What is desertification?
What is desertification?
the process of turning deserts into fertile land
the loss of forest areas
Q4. is the long-term alteration of weather patterns around the world.
is the long-term alteration of weather patterns around the world.
Q5.An ecosystem is a natural environment and includes the flora (plants) and fauna (animals) that live within that environment. The living components of an ecosystem are the __________ components.
An ecosystem is a natural environment and includes the flora (plants) and fauna (animals) that live within that environment. The living components of an ecosystem are the __________ components.
abiotic
biome
Q6.What is deforestation?
What is deforestation?
the process by which land becomes desert
the long-term alteration of weather patterns
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords for this lesson with their definitions.
Match the keywords for this lesson with their definitions.
Q2.Desertification is a widespread environmental threat affecting and communities across the globe.
Desertification is a widespread environmental threat affecting and communities across the globe.
Q3.Order the process of desertification.
Order the process of desertification.
Q4.How can desertification be mitigated?
How can desertification be mitigated?
