Combating
Desertification
HOW ARE COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
RESTORING DEGRADED LAND AND COMBATING
DESERTIFICATION
UNCCD

In 1994, many governments signed up to the United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification UNCCD.

UNCCD urged countries to use the knowledge and experience of
land management by indigenous (local) people instead of using
high-tech solutions
Soil Conservation Strategies
Mulching

Mulching is the process or
practice of covering the
soil/ground to make more
favourable conditions for plant
growth, development and
efficient crop
production. Mulch technical term
means 'covering of soil'.

Mulch conserves soil moisture by
reducing evaporation of water on
sunny and windy winter
days. Mulch
helps prevent soil cracks from
forming and exposing roots to
cold temperatures and winter
drying.
Trench and Coke Bottle Farming

A water efficient method of vegetable gardening for subsistence use.

Using a trench lined on the bottom with newspaper and husks to act as a water
sponge.

A perforated soda bottle is placed on the layer of paper and husks and
surrounded with layers of fertilizer and soil to water and grow vegetables.

A layer of hay or leaves are placed over the trench to act as a mulch to
protect the soil from drying out on hot sunny days.

This method will ensure that water is saved and land is not degraded by erosion
Trench and Coke Bottle Farming
Dartmoor Mires Project

Dryland areas are not the only areas of the world which are contributing to
the fight against desertification

The Dartmoor Mires Project is located at South Tavy Head, Dartmoor in one
of the wettest places in Northern Europe, with over 2000 mm of
precipitation a year, and is more than 4800 km from Moses and Thandi in
Zambia.
Watch the video and answer
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fffyO9X2RyA
How do you think this work could help combat desertification in the dryland
areas of the world thousands of kilometres away from Dartmoor? (Answer in a
word document)
Research about measures taken by
different countries to restore land
and combat desertification
You will choose one country and submit your
answer in a PDF/word document. Include
diagrams if appropriate