Drought Follows the Plow: Cultivating Marginal Areas

by Edited by Michael H. Glantz

• ISBN13: 9780521442527
• ISBN10: 0521442524
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1994-09-30
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

People around the globe are becoming increasingly aware that our use of the land has an effect on the environment in which we live. Global warming is seen as a major threat to the well-being of the world's communities. Fear abounds, but does anyone really know what is going on? Will human activity make things worse? The author examines the relationship between society and climate change. With contributions from colleagues in the worst hit areas of the world, the author shows how some patterns of land use can make the problems worse; increasing the risk of droughts and associated food shortages. This book will help scientists and researchers assess our impact on the planet and consider our ability to respond to the consequences of future environmental change.

Table of Contents

Part I. Drought, Desertification and Food Production: 1. Drought

2. Desertification

3. Food production: role of marginal lands

4. Cultivating the dry margins

Part II. Case Studies and Conclusions: 1. The West African Sahel

2. Somalia

3. Brazilian Nordeste (North East)

4. Dry regions of Kenya

5. Australia

6. Ethiopia

7. Northwest Africa

8. Virgin lands scheme in the former Soviet Union

9. South Africa

10. Is the stork outrunning the plow?