Human Influence

Positive  Effects

Conservation Acts

     There are currently several solutions, such as various conservation acts, that are in place to help with the development and restoration of deserts.

     In Peoria, Arizona, the community adopted the Desert Lands Conservation Master Plan in 1999. This plan brings to problem of expanding cities into deserts. It brings to mind that the reason people originally went to live in the desert was to be able to enjoy nature as a whole in an untempered state. That no longer holds true. Instead, it is common to see that the once origional character of the desert to be replaced with urban cities and suburbs. A prime example of this is the extensive city of Pheonix, Arizona. The general public of Peoria has shown a common penchent to find a way to fund the conservation act to help protect the unique environment that exists in deserts. In this willingness, they have expressed a willingness to increase tax revenues and the payment of property premiums as to help preserve the deserts. "The purpose of this Conservation Master Plan is to identify the areas that merit special consideration."

     The City of Peoria has taken a step further. In 2004, Peoria planners were creating a Desert Land Conservation Ordinance. The ordinance sets guidelines for development that promote a holistic approach to new development within the native environment. Their focus on this form of conservation is not peicemeal, or limited to preserving a single plot of land, instead Peoria is interested in safeguarding the entire desert ecosystem as a whole.  

     Below are some links that provide more information about Peoria, Arizona and how they had helped with desert conservation. 

http://www.peoriaaz.gov/uploadedFiles/Peoriaaz/Departments/Community_Development/Planning_and_Zoning/Publications/DesertlandsPlan99.pdf

http://www.peoriaaz.com/focus/FocusArchive/Fall03/Fall03bulletin2.htm

Destructive Effects

Desertification

     The immediate cause of desertification is the removal of vegetation. Looking at a desert, just with the way the climate is, there are very few types of flora to begin with and they take a very long time to grow to full size. For example the saguaro cactus takes about two centuries to grow completely. The roots of these plants help hold the soil in place. When the plants and their roots are removed, flash floods and strong winds blow away the fertile top layer and leaves behind an infertile lower layer. Destruction of plant species limits biodiversity and severely reduces habitats for certain organisms.

• Overgrazing
• Drought
• Growing populations
• Poverty
• Policy and institutional shortcomings,
  
• Inadequate infrastructure such as roads
  
• Limited market access
  
• Inappropriate technologies
  
• Insufficient research and development.

 Biodiversity

     Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, can be generally thought of as the "variety of life on earth." A prime example of biodiversity in a desert is the Quitobaquito oasis in the middle of the Mexican boarder in the Sonoran Desert. This desert haven is home to more than 270 plant species, over 100 bird species, and innumerable types of insects.

 Human Activities that Can Alter the Desert Biome