Embedded Files
Environmental Effects of Land Use: Pollution is a major issue in South Africa, specifically air pollution. According to "Down to Earth" it states, "Nearly 100 per cent of the population in South Africa breathes air that doesn't meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) standards, according to a new report. Air pollution is now the second-largest cause of death in Africa" (Different Air Under One Sky). The emissions causing the air pollution are majorly due to fossil fuels. "The Conversation" states, "Approximately 86% of South Africa's primary energy supply is from fossil fuels" (South African court rules that clean air is a constitutional right).
Another environmental effect of land use in South Africa is desertification. Desertification is the process of soil in arid lands going from fertile to infertile. "Earth.org" states, "According to the United Nations Development Program’s Drylands Population Assessment II, arid lands account for two-thirds of the African continent and three-quarters of Africa’s drylands used for agriculture...Africa is home to one of the world’s most famous deserts, the Sahara, which is growing at a rate of 48 kilometres per year. Desertification and the expansion of deserts were not initially primarily due to human-induced climate change like they are nowadays...Despite being the most affected area in Africa, the Sahel is not the only region dealing with desertification...it is estimated that as much as 65% of productive land in Africa is degraded – with desertification being the main culprit affecting 45% of the continent and the remaining 55% being at high risk of further degradation" (Desertification in Africa: Causes, Effects and Solutions).
Soil Salinization is also an environmental effect of land use in South Africa. "According to our long-term predictions based on all multi-model ensembles, the drylands areas of South America, southern Australia, Mexico, south-west United States, and South Africa are generally at the highest risk of increased soil salinity, compared to the reference period...To a lesser extent, western and southern Sahara and central Indian drylands, in addition to the desert soils of southeast Mongolia and north of China, are estimated to become saltier in response to the projected climate change by 2100 for different GHG concentration trajectories" (Global predictions of primary soil salinization under changing climate in the 21st century).
Agricultural Practices: Slash and burn is one agricultural practice used in South Africa. Slash and burn is an agricultural practice in which farmers burn the vegetation to create nutrient-rich soil. "Colorado School of Mines" states, "Slash and Burn practices such as these have been confirmed to show no sign of regression in recent years. Organizations like NASA have begun to refer to Africa as the “Fire Continent” and for good reason. In a recent article AP news reported that close to 70% of the worlds on going fires were in Africa. While these fires are not considered to be a threat as of right now because of there controlled agricultural nature, world leaders fear for the future of the Sub- Saharan grasslands" (Slash and Burn Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa).
In South Africa, irrigation is used a great amount. Flood, sprinkler, centre pivot, micro-drip, and micro-spray irrigation are all used throughout the region. "Farmers Weekly" states, "Irrigation supports 25% to 30% of national agricultural production in South Africa" (New Irrigation Systems).
Deforestation is also an agricultural practice in South Africa. "Greenpeace" states, "The most important driver of forest loss in Africa is industrial activities rather than human activities such as subsistence agriculture, often using slash-and-burn / fallow techniques to clear land. This usually involves cutting trees for sale as timber or pulp...Deforestation in Africa needs to be kept in check because trees generate dependable amounts of rainfall...Deforestation worsens the on-going water crisis in the continent...Deforestation intensifies the frequency & impact of floods...Deforestation results in a significant reduction in rainfall...Increased global warming due to Africa’s deforestation" (How Widespread Deforestation In Africa Risks Our Climate Future).
Draining wetlands is another agricultural practice in South Africa. "Kruger Park" states, "About half of South Africa's wetlands have already been destroyed or converted through draining, the building of dams, incorrect burning and overgrazing, invasive alien species, waste disposal, water abstraction, agricultural, urban development and inappropriate land management...Many communities across Africa are directly dependent on wetlands to harvest reeds for crafts, grow crops in wetland fields and extract water for drinking" (Why Wetlands Matter).
Shifting cultivation is another agricultural practice in South Africa. "Science Direct" states, "Shifting cultivation is a mode of farming long followed in the humid tropics of Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America. In the practice of “slash and burn”, farmers would cut the native vegetation and burn it, then plant crops in the exposed, ash-fertilized soil for two or three seasons in succession" (Shifting Cultivation).
According to "Oxford Research Encyclopedia" it states, "Pastoralist societies arose in the arid and semi-arid western regions of southern Africa over the last 2000 years. These were both Bantu-speaking and Khoekhoe-speaking groups who practiced diverse combinations of carnivorous and milch pastoralism but also maintained some dependence on hunting and gathering, with varying but generally minimal reliance on agriculture" (The Origins and Spread of Pastoralism in Southern Africa).
Diet Changes: The diets in South Africa have majorly shifted throughout the years. This is mainly due to availability of food. Since agriculture has gotten better in South Africa, food availability has risen. "Institute of Food Technologists" states, "Over the past 20 years, South African consumers have moved toward a Westernized diet—eating more meat, fats and oils, snacks, and soft drinks and less vegetables. Food consumption is affected by food availability, accessibility, and choice" (Food Consumption Changes in South Africa Since 1994).
Page updated
Report abuse