As mentioned before, the Sahara's growth results from the complex interplay between natural cycles and climate change. Tackling this issue requires understanding these drivers and implementing strategies to mitigate their impacts on vulnerable regions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting sustainable land management practices are some of the steps we can also take part in to help address the root causes of desertification.
Username: Colours Published on 2024-11-27 01:04:36 ID NUMBER: 125777
The Sahara Desert spans approximately 9.2 million square kilometers and is in fact the largest hot desert in the world. Located in North Africa, it covers parts of eleven countries, including Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan, Algeria, and Tunisia. This expanse of arid land is characterized by its often harsh climate, with massive temperature swings that can soar above 50 degrees Celsius during the day and plummet below freezing at night.
The Sahara is built up of a diverse amount of geographic landscapes, comprising mainly of sand dunes, gravel plains, rocky plateaus, and even some mountain ranges, such as the Ahaggar (with peaks rising above 9,500 feet) and Tibesti ranges (containing Mount Emi Koussi, a peak that rises a lofty 11,204 feet). Its iconic sand dunes, particularly in Algeria and Libya, can reach heights of up to 180 meters!
Human settlement in the Sahara Desert is limited but historically significant. Nomadic tribes, such as the Tuareg and Berbers, have traveled this desert for centuries, passing through it mainly for trade while other groups of people wouldn't dare try (understandably). There are some oases, providing vital water sources, that serve as hubs for small to medium-sized towns and cities, like Ghardaia in Algeria and Timbuktu in Mali, the latter being a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The short answer is yes. But, how do we know this? A number of studies, including one that spanned 93 years by researchers at the University of Maryland, have concluded that the sands of the Sahara have been expanding for some time, primarily southward into the Sahel region. Having grown an estimated 10% since 1920, this is an undeniable fact that continues to be demonstrated year after year, with expansion often at its fastest during the summer months when the already dry desert becomes even more absent of water.
The growth of the Sahara Desert is mainly driven by natural climate variability and human-induced climate change. Naturally, a process called the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), a periodic climate cycle in the North Atlantic Ocean, significantly influences this expansion by affecting regional rainfall patterns. In the case of the Sahara, during warm phases of the AMO, this region experiences drier conditions, causing the desert landscape to spread.
The Sahara Desert's expansion is causing significant environmental and socio-economic issues. As mentioned, the southward creep of the desert into the Sahel is exacerbating drought conditions, making it difficult for local populations to maintain their agricultural and pastoral livelihoods. The loss of this farmland leads to food insecurity, pushing communities into poverty and increasing competition for resources. This can, and sometimes has, resulted in conflict and displacement as people migrate in search of more habitable areas.
As mentioned before, the Sahara's growth results from the complex interplay between natural cycles and climate change. Tackling this issue requires understanding these drivers and implementing strategies to mitigate their impacts on vulnerable regions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting sustainable land management practices are some of the steps we can also take part in to help address the root causes of desertification.
As mentioned before, the Sahara's growth results from the complex interplay between natural cycles and climate change. Tackling this issue requires understanding these drivers and implementing strategies to mitigate their impacts on vulnerable regions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting sustainable land management practices are some of the steps we can also take part in to help address the root causes of desertification.
Ear of rice illustration
A rice plant, as grown before harvesting and processing. Depicted as a sheaf of Asian rice with green leaves and yellow seed heads drooping over to the right or left.
May be consumed in the form of 🍚 Cooked Rice. May be used to represent a variety of cereal grains (e.g., wheat, corn, oats, sorghum) as well as crops, fields and harvests, and farming more generally.
Sheaf of Rice was approved as part of Unicode 6.0 in 2010 under the name “Ear of Rice” and added to Emoji 1.0 in 2015.
Monday 06 May 2019 • 9:45 PM
ear-of-rice-illustration-id467733042.jpeg
0.8MP 1024 x 764 313 kB
CODE NUMBER SEAFORICE
Illustration of the ear of rice
A rice plant, as grown before harvesting and processing. Depicted as a sheaf of Asian rice with green leaves and yellow seed heads drooping over to the right or left.
May be consumed in the form of 🍚 Cooked Rice. May be used to represent a variety of cereal grains (e.g., wheat, corn, oats, sorghum) as well as crops, fields and harvests, and farming more generally.
Sheaf of Rice was approved as part of Unicode 6.0 in 2010 under the name “Ear of Rice” and added to Emoji 1.0 in 2015.
Monday 06 May 2019 • 9:45 PM
illustration-of-the-ear-of-rice-illustration-id480211950.jpeg
0.8MP 1024 x 760 280 kB
CODE NUMBER SEAFORICE
The Strategic Energy Framework publication provides specific Forest Service goals and charts a course to achieve these goals. This framework helps the Forest Service become more energy efficient, demonstrates effective sustainable management, and sets standards of energy practices for Americans to follow.
The American Eel lives in the far-flung corners of the North Atlantic. It has a snakelike body and can grow up to five feet, though most individuals measure only two to three feet.
Its skin ranges from yellow to green-brown, and it has a lighter belly, camouflaging it in riverbeds and coastal waters.
These types of eels are both freshwater and saltwater eels. They spend most of their lives in freshwater or brackish environments. However, during the breeding season, they migrate to the ocean.
Additionally, these true eels eat various prey, such as insects, crustaceans, and fish. At night, the American eel emerges from the sand to hunt. They also don’t hesitate to step onto land for food.
As mentioned before, the Sahara's growth results from the complex interplay between natural cycles and climate change. Tackling this issue requires understanding these drivers and implementing strategies to mitigate their impacts on vulnerable regions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting sustainable land management practices are some of the steps we can also take part in to help address the root causes of desertification.
Our list of weird flowers would simply not be complete without the charming, colourful Lobster Claw! Also known as the False Bird of Paradise and Wild Plantain, the Lobster Claw’s cheerful flowers emerge from clumps of leaves that look like bananas. The reddish flower-like bracts actually hide the plant’s true flowers, which require birds with specialised beaks for pollination. An excellent landscape plant, the Lobster Claw can grow up to a height of 3.5’ tall and they bloom several times each year. Be sure to provide your Lobster Claws with plenty of water and fertiliser to maximise your blooms.
A digital illustration of a stylized, man-made monster crafted from raw energy. The monster's color predominantly resembles a vibrant lime green to emerald and it possesses an electrifying aura. It has sharp, jagged edges in place of skin, making it resemble a being of pure energy. Despite its unearthly form, traces of humanoid anatomy can be seen such as muscular arms, broad shoulders, and a pair of fierce-looking eyes. Its visage emanates an intimidating aura, and its form appears to crackle and spark with energy, suggesting immense power. The background consists of a stark, black void, making the energy monster appear even more vibrant and fierce.
An illustration of a cityscape at night in the future, designed with high-contrast colors and cyberpunk aesthetics. Imagine robust buildings with an abundance of vibrant neon lights, adding an electrifying touch to the conception. Picture a bustling crowd of various ethnicities and genders, all engrossed in their activities. The scene is captured using a tilt-shift lens to exaggerate a miniature effect, which brings a unique depth and trust of the first and background aspects of the image. The overarching theme gravitates toward a cyberpunk feel, colluding advanced technology and a futuristic depiction.
An illustrative depiction of Walt Disney World Resorts showcasing a vibrant and colorful environment. Picture the fairy-tale castle standing imposingly in the park center, surrounded by lush gardens and busy walkways full of joyous guests. There are diverse groups of tourists; for example, a Caucasian family taking photos, an African American couple holding hands, a middle-eastern child with a balloon, and elderly South Asian tourists examining a map. Various themed pavilions representing different world cultures can be seen in the distance, and the sky is a dazzling spectacle of bright oranges, pinks, and purples, as if capturing the magic of sunset.
