Environmental and Demographic Effects of Desertification in AlQadisiyah Province

Abstract

Since mid-20th century, desertification is one of the most seriousenvironmental problems that has economic and urban impacts on largenumber of world population. The major reason of this phenomena is thearid climate, shortage of water and the misapplication of natural resourcesespecially in the rural areas. These factors lead to the disintegration of theassociations between natural environment and its social, economic andurban surroundings. The most important result of the study is that desertification problemis in continuous aggravation because of the indifference to its danger andits future effects in addition to the lack of environmental, agriculturalplanning and mismanagement of environmental resources. Also, there isno coordination between the ministries and the environmental,agricultural and water institutions. It is clear that the environmentaleffects are grave especially after the deterioration of biological cover andlack of biodiversity, and the increase of dust storms especially during thearid climate and heat waves in the last two decades. In respect todemographic situation, the economic and social reality deteriorate in therural area of Al-Qadisiyah province due to desertification effects onagriculture. As a result, people start migration from the rural areastowards urban centers.