Question

Which is the main causative factor of desertification?
A. Developmental activities
B. Tourism
C. Overgrazing
D. Irrigated agriculture

Answer 1

Hint: When the land is degraded in a way that it leads the dryland ecosystem to reduced biological productivity or barrenness, such type of land condition can be termed as desertification. The dry land ecosystem can be degraded by various human activities.

Complete answer:
The loss of productivity of dryland ecosystem is induced by multiple factors such as:
> Development activity: As a part of development, human beings have been extensively using agricultural lands for the expansion of livelihood by infrastructure construction is also a part of development. The use of heavy pressure generating machines, digging up soil for fuels, etc. are all part of the development which degrades the land’s integrity and leads it towards desertification.
> Tourism: In order to attract tourism, natural land has been modified and reshaped as a part of planning which also causes soil erosion.
> Overgrazing: Overgrazing is one of the major factors of land degradation or desertification. Plants maintain the integrity of the soil. Overgrazing results in the reduction of plant cover from the soil which leaves the land exposed to wind, extra water, and other factors affecting soil in a negative manner. It further leads to soil erosion which in turn in extreme cases leads to desertification.

Therefore the correct option is (C) Overgrazing.

Note: The other factors leading to desertification are inappropriate farming activities in order to increase the yield, environmental changes affecting soil integrity, harmful chemicals dissolved in water that are absorbed by the soil, Forest burn, etc. If the condition remains the same, it would lead to a major issue for the survival of animal kind. Therefore, it is high time to control harmful human activities that affect the ecosystem.