Navigation

Desertification

EnviroAtlas Ecosystem Mapping Tool Launched by US EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 6 May 2014 released EnviroAtlas, a web-based interactive tool that integrates over 300 separate data layers, helps decision makers understand the implications of planning and policy decisions on our fragile ecosystems and the communities who depend on goods and services from these ecosystems. EnviroAtlas is available to the public and houses a wealth of data and research.


The Effects of Population on the Depletion of Fresh Water

This article compares quantitative estimates for groundwater loss and glacier recession and considers the significance of their relative magnitudes. It concludes that the effect of food and agriculture, hence of population, may be significantly greater than that attributable to the global warming caused by industrial production and transport.


NASA Launching Five Earth-Observing Missions in 2014 to Obtain Crucial Data for Scientists Trying To Understand Our Changing Planet

With the launch of five Earth-observing missions in 2014 -- more Earth-focused launches in a single year in more than a decade -- NASA will be able to deliver even more crucial data to scientists trying to understand our changing planet.


Groundwater Reserves Found In Drought-Stricken Northern Kenya

An exploration of groundwater resources has identified reserves of water in Turkana County in drought-stricken northern Kenya. Of Kenya’s 41 million people, 17 million lack access to safe water and 28 million do not have adequate sanitation.

 

 

 

 


Food Force: The First Humanitarian Video Game Updated and Free to Download

The World Food Program’s (WPG’s) video game Food Force invites children, and people of all ages, to complete six virtual missions that reflect real-life obstacles faced by WFP in its emergency responses both to the tsunami and other hunger crises around the world.

 


Time of Year Important in Projections of Climate Change Effects on Ecosystems

 

Results of study on prairie grasslands show differences across the months. Does it matter whether long periods of hot weather, such as last year's heat wave that gripped the U.S. Midwest, happen in June or July, August or September?  Scientists studying the subtle effects of heat waves and droughts say that when such weather events happen makes a big difference.

 


Badwater Basin: Death Valley Microbe Thrives There: Discovery may lead to novel biotech and nanotech uses

Scientists Dennis Bazylinski and colleagues at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) sluice through every water body they can find in Nevada looking for new forms of microbial magnetism.


Water and Sanitation Related Diseases and the Environment: Challenges, Interventions and Preventive Measures

The drought and famine once again blighting the Horn of Africa brings with it an unwelcome reminder that for all of mankind’s achievements we are yet to eradicate the scourge of poverty or to provide clean water, sanitation or basic health care for the world’s most desperate people.


United Nations (UN) Launches Decade-Long Efforts to Tackle Desertification

The United Nations is launching the Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification (2010-2020) today, 16 August 2010 , a 10-year long effort to raise awareness and action to improve the protection and management of the world's drylands.


Tamarix, a natural resource on which the communities depend for fuelwood, tools, and basket making.

Tamarix is a natural resource on which the communities depend for fuelwood, tools, and basket making. In an effort to re-establish groundwater recharge, rejuvenate soil conditions, reduce waterlogging effects and salinization, and restore Tamarix populations, four counties have joined forces to implement the Tamarix project, including Cele, Yutian, Mingfeng, and Jiashi, an integrated approach to agricultural production and forest rehabilitation in dryland regions.


Latest articles

Agriculture

Air Pollution

Biodiversity

Desertification

Endangered Species

Energy

Exhibits

Forests

Global Climate Change

Global Health

Industry

Natural Disaster Relief

News and Special Reports

Oceans, Coral Reefs

Pollution

Population

Public Health

Rivers

Sanitation

Toxic Chemicals

Transportation

Waste Management

Water

Water and Sanitation

Yale Himalaya Initiative