Desertification Risk Models
Definition
Desertification Risk Models are GIS-based frameworks that predict areas susceptible to land degradation due to climate change, overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable land use. These models combine climate data, soil characteristics, land cover, and human activity to identify zones at risk of turning into desert-like conditions.
Application
Governments use risk models for early warning and sustainable land management policies. Restoration agencies prioritize areas for afforestation or soil conservation. GIS integrates biophysical indicators (like aridity index) with socio-economic data to generate composite risk maps. These maps support international programs such as the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification).
FAQ
1. What factors are modeled in desertification risk maps?
Climate, vegetation cover, soil type, slope, human land use, and water availability.
2. What factors are modeled in desertification risk maps?
It allows large-area analysis, time-series comparisons, and integration of diverse risk factors.
3. What factors are modeled in desertification risk maps?
Risk maps, priority zones for intervention, and trend graphs for policy reporting.
4. What factors are modeled in desertification risk maps?
Environmental ministries, UN bodies, researchers, and agricultural planners.