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Every June 17, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is commemorated, with the aim of raising awareness in society about an environmental problem that affects billions of people around the world. Desertification refers to the degradation of fertile soils, which causes them to lose their productivity, due to climatic factors or by activities carried out by man and that alter the natural environment. Drought and desertification are different phenomena, but when they interact together they mutually enhance each other.
What causes desertification in Chile?
The main causes of this phenomenon are deforestation and the destruction of vegetation cover, generated mainly by forest fires, intensive agriculture and livestock, as well as uncontrolled urban expansion, road construction and the reallocation of water.
To all this, we must add the consequences of climate change, mainly the marked decrease in rainfall in the north and center of our country, which has caused risks to native vegetation. This has generated changes in the floristic composition and in the fauna, in which the less drought-resistant plant species and specimens tend to disappear, which in turn causes lack of food for both people and animals, causing serious changes. in the food chain.
Does desertification have a solution?
It is difficult and slow to reverse desertification, especially if its levels are severe. However, we can mention some solutions like:
- Reforestation is the most effective action: planting trees helps reforest areas affected by fires or droughts and reduce air pollution through cleaner air and CO2 absorption. In addition, once the trees are replanted, they will serve as soil foundations for the growth of smaller vegetation.
- Improving the use of water, making irrigation more technical or through saving, reusing treated water or storing rainwater.
- Create natural tree barriers to protect land from erosion caused by wind (wind erosion.)
- Fertilization of the soil through the regeneration of the vegetation cover and avoiding the use of artificial fertilizers.
- Sustainable production: the idea is to study the land to find out which crops are more suitable and to encourage crop rotation and fallow so that the land can rest.
Finally, I invite you to be able to find the balance between what we demand and the capacity of the land. Let us be aware of and avoid practices that put the environment at risk.
Patricia Ramirez Figueroa
Career Director of the
Natural Resources Area
IP-CFT Santo Tomás Rancagua
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