New
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The greening of the Arabian Desert
I can explain the challenge of desertification and recognise the strategies to respond to it.
Lesson 11 of 12
New
New
- Year 9
The greening of the Arabian Desert
I can explain the challenge of desertification and recognise the strategies to respond to it.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Desertification is a major challenge in the region.
- Desalination provides water for farming.
- Tree planting projects aim to combat desert spread.
- Vertical farming is used to grow food sustainably.
Keywords
Desertification - the process by which fertile land becomes desert
Desalination - the process of removing salt from seawater
Sustainable - able to continue over a long time
Common misconception
We cannot grow new plants in the desert, it is too dry.
Plants can have special features, or adaptations, to help them survive in the desert. This, alongside new technology, means that plants can sustain life in the desert and overcome the issue of desertification.
Students may find it easier to grasp desertification when they can compare it to issues closer to home. Briefly mention how parts of southern Europe or areas in Africa are also affected by desertification. This helps them realise it's a global challenge—not just a distant issue in the Middle East.
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.Match the keywords to their definitions:
Match the keywords to their definitions:
Q2.Which resource is under increasing pressure in the Middle East?
Which resource is under increasing pressure in the Middle East?
Gold
Diamonds
Coal
Q3.Which country uses desalination plants most heavily in the region?
Which country uses desalination plants most heavily in the region?
Jordan
Syria
Turkey
Q4.What is groundwater used for in the Middle East?
What is groundwater used for in the Middle East?
Mining
Housing
Tourism
Q5.Why is desalination controversial?
Why is desalination controversial?
It removes oil
It’s cheap
It makes water dirty
Q6.Why is it wrong to say all Middle Eastern countries face the same water problems?
Why is it wrong to say all Middle Eastern countries face the same water problems?
They all get heavy rainfall
They all have lakes
Oil solves water issues
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions:
Match the keywords to their definitions:
Q2.What is vertical farming?
What is vertical farming?
Growing plants on slopes
Farming done with helicopters
A method for mining underground
Q3.What causes desertification?
What causes desertification?
More rainfall
Tree planting
Urban development
Q4.Why is the belief that “we can’t grow plants in deserts” incorrect?
Why is the belief that “we can’t grow plants in deserts” incorrect?
Deserts are now cooler
Some deserts are not real
The desert turns into rainforest
