What's threatening deserts?
-*- Development is one of the biggest threats to deserts. Many cities have formed in the desert regions. (ex: Tucson, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego)
-*- Grazing can severely impact the land as well. Grazing animals can not only destroy the native plants by eating them, but also by trampling the native plants and animals.
-*- Off-road vehicle use is also destroying the deserts by crushing and killing native plants and animals. Plants in the desert take longer than most plants to grow because of their harsh habitat. If any damage is done to a plant, it could take years for the plant to return to its pre-damaged health.
-*- Global warming is another possible threat to the deserts. Any small changes in temperature or precipitation can greatly impact a desert.
-*- Human activities are causing desertification. This is type of land degradation general caused by human activities and results in the loss of vegetation, animal life and water sources. Grazing and firewood gathering are two examples of human activities that contribute to desertification.
-*- Grazing can severely impact the land as well. Grazing animals can not only destroy the native plants by eating them, but also by trampling the native plants and animals.
-*- Off-road vehicle use is also destroying the deserts by crushing and killing native plants and animals. Plants in the desert take longer than most plants to grow because of their harsh habitat. If any damage is done to a plant, it could take years for the plant to return to its pre-damaged health.
-*- Global warming is another possible threat to the deserts. Any small changes in temperature or precipitation can greatly impact a desert.
-*- Human activities are causing desertification. This is type of land degradation general caused by human activities and results in the loss of vegetation, animal life and water sources. Grazing and firewood gathering are two examples of human activities that contribute to desertification.