Exotic rivers, desalination, and irrigation can provide needed water for farming.
E.g., Oasis at Douz, Tunisia, produces dates, figs, and oranges.
In oil-rich countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE, desalination plants provide water, making hydroponics possible.
Challenges for agriculture
Lack of freshwater, abundant heat and sunlight, low rainfall, saline soil, dry winds, overgrazing, poor soil, and limited technology.
Negative water balance: the output from evapotranspiration and stores of water exceed the input from precipitation (pEVT > ppt).
Desert soils are arid and infertile due to low rainfall, high evapotranspiration, low organic content, thinness, lack of clay, and potential toxicity from soluble salts.
Sustainable agriculture approaches
Reduce herd size and pressure on limited vegetation.
Use solar panels for energy and animal dung for fertilizers.
Plant fodder for animals.
Use efficient irrigation methods (drip and sprinkler) and line irrigation channels with concrete.
Build check dams and diguettes to collect water.
Use salt-tolerant (halophytic) plants.
Semi-arid areas & drought-resistant fodder
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Geography SL
Option C - Extreme Environments
Unlock the potential of agriculture in arid areas: strategies & crops that thrive
Exotic rivers, desalination, and irrigation can provide needed water for farming.
E.g., Oasis at Douz, Tunisia, produces dates, figs, and oranges.
In oil-rich countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE, desalination plants provide water, making hydroponics possible.
Challenges for agriculture
Lack of freshwater, abundant heat and sunlight, low rainfall, saline soil, dry winds, overgrazing, poor soil, and limited technology.
Negative water balance: the output from evapotranspiration and stores of water exceed the input from precipitation (pEVT > ppt).
Desert soils are arid and infertile due to low rainfall, high evapotranspiration, low organic content, thinness, lack of clay, and potential toxicity from soluble salts.
Sustainable agriculture approaches
Reduce herd size and pressure on limited vegetation.
Use solar panels for energy and animal dung for fertilizers.
Plant fodder for animals.
Use efficient irrigation methods (drip and sprinkler) and line irrigation channels with concrete.
Build check dams and diguettes to collect water.
Use salt-tolerant (halophytic) plants.
Semi-arid areas & drought-resistant fodder
Unlock the Full Content!
Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Geography SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟