Agriculture in Semi-Arid Environments

Agriculture in Semi-Arid Environments PDF Author: A.E. Hall
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642673287
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 357

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Book Description
The semi-arid zones of the world are fragile ecosystems which are being sub stantially modified by the activities of mankind. Increasing human populations have resulted in greater demands on semi-arid zones for providing human susten ance and the possibility that this may enhance desertification is a grave concern. These zones are harsh habitats for humans. The famines that resulted from drought during the late 1960's and the 1970's in the African Sahel illustrated the unreliability of present agricultural systems in this zone. Large fluctuations in ag ricultural production have occurred in semi-arid zones of Australia, North Ameri ca, and the Soviet Union due to periodic droughts, even though considerable ag ricultural technology has been devoted to agricultural development in these zones. The challenge to mankind is to manage these different semi-arid zones so that pro ductivity is increased and stabilized, and environmental deterioration is decreased. Irrigation can be used to increase and stabilize agricultural production in semi-arid zones as discussed in Volume 5 of this series, Arid Zone Irrigation. The present volume, Agriculture in Semi-Arid Environments, focuses on dryland farming in semi-arid zones, and is relevant to the large areas of the world where rainfall is limiting and where water is not available for irrigation. This volume is designed to assist agricultural development in these areas and consists of reviews and analyses of available information by scientists working in Africa, Australia, and at the U ni versity of California.

Agriculture in Semi-Arid Environments

Agriculture in Semi-Arid Environments PDF Author: A.E. Hall
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642673287
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 357

Get Book Here

Book Description
The semi-arid zones of the world are fragile ecosystems which are being sub stantially modified by the activities of mankind. Increasing human populations have resulted in greater demands on semi-arid zones for providing human susten ance and the possibility that this may enhance desertification is a grave concern. These zones are harsh habitats for humans. The famines that resulted from drought during the late 1960's and the 1970's in the African Sahel illustrated the unreliability of present agricultural systems in this zone. Large fluctuations in ag ricultural production have occurred in semi-arid zones of Australia, North Ameri ca, and the Soviet Union due to periodic droughts, even though considerable ag ricultural technology has been devoted to agricultural development in these zones. The challenge to mankind is to manage these different semi-arid zones so that pro ductivity is increased and stabilized, and environmental deterioration is decreased. Irrigation can be used to increase and stabilize agricultural production in semi-arid zones as discussed in Volume 5 of this series, Arid Zone Irrigation. The present volume, Agriculture in Semi-Arid Environments, focuses on dryland farming in semi-arid zones, and is relevant to the large areas of the world where rainfall is limiting and where water is not available for irrigation. This volume is designed to assist agricultural development in these areas and consists of reviews and analyses of available information by scientists working in Africa, Australia, and at the U ni versity of California.

Arid and Semi-arid Environments

Arid and Semi-arid Environments PDF Author: Michael Hill
Publisher: Hodder Murray
ISBN: 9780340800324
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 154

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Book Description
Arid and Semi-Arid Environments focuses upon major themes in the study of desert landscapes, processes and landforms. The book considers the physical causes of aridity, the desert hydrological cycle and the problems of water supply. Particular attention is paid to desert ecosystems and how they are related to aridity. A detailed study is made of the wide range of landforms which are unique to desert areas and how they were formed. Evidence in the landscape of past climates is examined in relation to the current debate on desertification.

Ecophysiology of Economic Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands

Ecophysiology of Economic Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands PDF Author: Gerald E. Wickens
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3662037009
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Book Description
This book deals with arid and semi-arid environments and their classification, and the physiological restraints and adaptations of plants to the environment. Further, it discusses economic botany and the needs and methods of conserving economic plants. A broad view is taken regarding the definition of economic plants, taking into account their value to the environment as well as to man and to livestock. The individual deserts and associated semi-arid regions are described in separate chapters, providing background information on the regional environments in terms of climate and major plant formations. The economic plants within these formations, their usages, geographical distribution together with their morphological and physiological adaptations are treated in detail.

Semi-arid Environments

Semi-arid Environments PDF Author: Kara M. Degenovine
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781617612152
Category : Arid regions
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Semi-arid climate regions receive low annual precipitation and intermediates between the desert climates and humid climates in ecological characteristics and agricultural potential. Semi-arid climates tend to provide scrubby vegetations in regions where they exist. There are two variations of the semi-arid climate, a hot semi-arid climate and a cold semi-arid climate. This book presents topical research data in the study of semi-arid environments, including the semi-arid environments of the El Melah Lagoon in Tunisia; improving reproductive outputs of small ruminants reared in semi-arid environments; the presence of cyanobacterial soil crusts in semi-arid ecosystems is associated with an increase in carbon and nitrogen sequestration; semi-arid vegetation in Brazil; and the semi-arid zone afforestation in northern Israel.

Drought in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

Drought in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions PDF Author: Kurt Schwabe
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 940076636X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 510

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Book Description
Offering a cross-country examination and comparison of drought awareness and experience, this book shows how scientists, water managers, and policy makers approach drought and water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions of Spain, Mexico, Australia, South Africa and the United States.

Climate Change and Its Impact on Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity in Arid and Semi-Arid Zones

Climate Change and Its Impact on Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity in Arid and Semi-Arid Zones PDF Author: Karmaoui, Ahmed
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1522573887
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Book Description
Ecosystems provide services that are crucial and beneficial to the human population. The management and conservation of these services can assure the wellbeing of the local population. Climate Change and Its Impact on Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity in Arid and Semi-Arid Zones is an essential reference source that studies the effects of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem services in dry regions and examines various strategic local, national, and international policy developments to help overcome these impacts. Featuring research on topics such as poverty reduction, climate change, and adaption policies, this book is ideally designed for environmentalists, policymakers, government officials, academicians, researchers, and technology developers who want to improve their understanding of climate change impact, vulnerability, and sustainability, and the strategic role of adaptation and mitigation.

Engineering Hydrology of Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

Engineering Hydrology of Arid and Semi-Arid Regions PDF Author: Mostafa M. Soliman
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 143985839X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 514

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Book Description
The natural scarcity of water in arid and semiarid regions, aggravated by man-made factors, makes it difficult to achieve a reliable water resources supply. Communities in these areas pay the price for thousands of years of water manipulation. Presenting important insight into the complexities of arid region hydrology, Engineering Hydrology of Arid

Extractive Industries in Arid and Semi-arid Zones

Extractive Industries in Arid and Semi-arid Zones PDF Author: Joachim Gratzfeld
Publisher: IUCN
ISBN: 2831707412
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 122

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Book Description
This publication aims to contribute to planning and management approaches that minimize land degradation and desertification in arid and semi-arid zones as a result of extractive industries operations. Both operational and policy guidance are included to help those government departments responsible for the licensing, planning and monitoring of extractive industries activities to take account of environment and development issues in their decision-making.

Water Management in Arid and Semi-arid Regions

Water Management in Arid and Semi-arid Regions PDF Author: Phoebe Koundouri
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1845429974
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 289

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Book Description
Water deficiency in many arid and semi-arid regions in Southern Europe is becoming a major constraint for economic welfare and sustainable regional development. These regions are characterised by high spatial and temporal imbalances of water demand and supply, seasonal water uses, inadequate water resources and poor institutional water management. The aim of this book is to formulate appropriate strategies and guidelines for water management necessary for the formulation and implementation of integrated sustainable management of water resources. Lessons are learned from various case studies, which examine competing water use patterns, compare governance structures and how these have evolved in response to scarcity, and structural and non-structural instruments to address water deficiency. Water Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions will appeal to policymakers in relevant countries as well as to scholars and researchers of environmental studies and economics.

Groundwater Modelling in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

Groundwater Modelling in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas PDF Author: Howard S. Wheater
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139489720
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Arid and semi-arid regions face major challenges in the management of scarce freshwater resources under pressures of population, economic development, climate change, pollution and over-abstraction. Groundwater is commonly the most important water resource in these areas. Groundwater models are widely used globally to understand groundwater systems and to guide decisions on management. However, the hydrology of arid and semi-arid areas is very different from that of humid regions, and there is little guidance on the special challenges of groundwater modelling for these areas. This book brings together the experience of internationally leading experts to fill a gap in the scientific and technical literature. It introduces state-of-the-art methods for modelling groundwater resources, illustrated with a wide-ranging set of illustrative examples from around the world. The book is valuable for researchers, practitioners in developed and developing countries, and graduate students in hydrology, hydrogeology, water resources management, environmental engineering and geography.