Theory question 207
Environmental Hazards and Conservation(a) Differentiate between permanent drought and seasonal drought, giving an example of each.
(b) Highlight any two main causes and two effects of drought
(c) Suggest any two methods of minimizing the effects of drought.
Show the model answer
(a) Permanent drought: rainfall is always too low for normal plant growth, as in hot deserts, e.g. the Sahara/Kalahari. Seasonal drought: a regular dry season each year in an area that has enough rain in the wet season, e.g. savanna of northern Nigeria (harmattan period)
(b) Causes (two): very low or failed rainfall; shifting climatic belts/desert encroachment; high temperatures and evaporation; deforestation and overgrazing
Effects (two): crop failure and famine; death of livestock; water shortage; migration of people; desertification and dust storms
(c) Two: irrigation and dams to store water; afforestation and shelter belts; drought-resistant crops and better water conservation; wells and boreholes
Seasonal drought returns every year; permanent drought never ends.