Example of atomic testing (above) and water mining (left). Both of these processes damage the deserts it occurs in.
Effects on deserts The Human Effects on deserts have been going on for quite some time. Since deserts make up 25 percent of the worlds land mass, it only makes sense that we are slowly destroying them. The main cause of this negative effect on deserts is from human interactions. Interactions like driving through the desert, leaving tracks, and destroying vegetation. Also water mining from reservoirs, military exercise(mainly atomic testing), and trenching involved with pipelines of gas, oil, and water have made grounds unstable and almost barren. These effects have caused some animal species to go on the endangered species list ( like the Gazelle, the Oryx, the Addax, the Arabian Tahr, the Barbary sheep and the Asian Houbara Bustard).The glacier melting problem is also a problem for the desert’s ecosystem too. Deserts like the Atacama and the Monte in South America will suffer the most and have their rivers run dry. This will drastically increase the death rate of the population, and it might wipe out all but a few organisms from the deserts.
Why are Deserts Changing?
The dramatic changes in the desert ecosystem observed in recent years are the effect of human activity. The massive wastes emitted by their industries and personal needs are the cause of these drastic changes. Unfortunately, the desert is threatened greatly by climate change. Little changes in weather can have large impacts on all kinds of organisms in the desert. Ecosystems used to be once so stable because cellular processes would work together to absorb what one product released and use it. This created a stable balance. However, once you add humans to the equation they are emitting more than what they are absorbing and it is getting increasingly difficult to counteract the waste in the environment.
How Can Humans Correct This Damage?
Humans can correct the mistakes made by using water resources more efficiently. Water in the desert is drying up from global warming and human use. Driving vehicles in the desert causes irreversible damage to the habitat. If humans were to drive only in designated areas, this would not be an issue. Also, irrigation in deserts increases salt levels in the sand. The salt destroys the ability for plants to grow. A correction for this problem is to plant leguminous plants. These plants fix nitrogen into the soil. This restores the soil fertility. If humans do not correct the destruction caused by their activities in the desert the consequences will be grave. Deserts are drying up from global warming. Because they are already dry, tiny differences in heat can ruin an organism’s water supply. The desert is also the site of nuclear testing. Habitats in and around the testing sites are completely obliterated by the nuclear weapons. Deserts are also the location where oil and gas are collected for use. The collection of gas and oil can disrupt habitats and cause imbalances in the ecosystem. If humans do not act soon then the life in deserts will soon disappear and life will seize to exist. Once all of the rare animals become extinct, it will be impossible to bring them all back.
What are Positive Impacts Humans Have Had?
Although humans have many negative impacts, there are positive effects they have. After wildfires occur, many groups replant organisms that perished in the fire. Humans also have reservations for endangered animals and other threatened species living in the desert. Humans can also have a positive impact by preventing any further damage. One way to do this is by not riding motor vehicles in the desert. This will prevent the tires from running over and hurting plants, animals, and their habitats. A final way that humans ca have a positive impact on the desert biome is by gaining knowledge about the biome. If a human has more information about how gentle this ecosystem is and how their actions may affect this desert biome and all of its intricate interactions, then they are less likely to purposefully harm this biome. It will cause them to stop and think about their actions.