Sahara, Sahel, and Oasis

Which of these is a major difference between the Sahara and the Sahel?

• The Sahara has larger forests.

• The Sahel receives more rainfall.

• The Sahara has more cropland.

• The Sahel records higher temperatures.

Marginal land is ...

• watered by an oasis.

• on the edge of town.

• not well suited for farming.

• best used for raising cash crops.

What do ergs, regs, and hammadas have in common?

• The are all desert flowers.

• They are all desert animals.

• They are all desert landforms.

• They are all desert ecosystems.

What does this diagram tell about oases?

• Oases are not found in deserts.

• Oases are created in many ways.

• Oases are only created by humans.

• Oases are not fed by natural springs

What is the main reason pastoral nomads move from place to place?

• to sell their trade goods

• to care for their date palms

• to clear new land for their crops

• to find fresh pasture for their herds

Choose the statement that best explains why date palm trees are so important to life in the Sahara.

• Date palms provide shelter for nomads and their herds.

• Date palms provide food, fuel, and materials for homes.

• Date palms provide drinking water for people and animals.

• Date palms provide a cash crop for farmers on marginal lands.

All of the following are major causes of desertification EXCEPT:

• overgrazing

• deforestation

• long-term drought

• shifting agriculture

Which of the following are most threatened by desertification in the Sahel?

• croplands

• forested areas

• marginal lands

• wilderness areas

Which of the following can prevent desertification?

• shifting agriculture

• deforestation

• long-term drought

• forest fires

Desertification is a problem in the Sahel because ___.

• land becomes increasingly dry until it turns into desert.

• mountainous areas receive more rainfall.

• underground streams flow down to the desert.

• great seas of sand create tall sand dunes.