Desertification and
Aeolian Sediment
Transport in India
Climates of India
-Area of Rajasthan is predominantly desert or an arid
climate.
-Climate is heavily influenced by monsoon season.
-32% of land facing threat of desertification
-Upward eddie wind currents of greater than 3km/h can lift silt and very fine sand up to 4km
Causes of Desertification
The Himalayan Water Grab
The Source
● Half world’s population dependent
● Historical land and border disputes
● Dynamic and evolving systems
o
o
Hydrologically and
Politically
● Seasonal fluctuations and vulnerabilities
Observer
Complexities of Sediment
Load
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Limited Knowledge
Climatic evolution
Anthropogenic effects
Intrabasin and regional
variability
● Source/sink dynamics
Gangetic river system
2,390tons/km2 annually
Sediment delivery
influenced primarily
by climatic conditions
Tropical river system
216tons/km2 annually
Sediment delivery
influenced by climate and
anthropogenic factors
Heavily decreased sediment loads
Erosion/deposition equilibrium
High erosion rate
Decreased flow
Aggrading environment
“Hungry water”
Decreasing sediment loads
Subsidence from oil extraction
Decreasing deltaic aggradation
Rising sea level