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The social driving forces of desertification in the high Algerian steppe plains
- Source :
- Hrvatski geografski glasnik; ISSN 1331-5854 (Print); ISSN 1848-6401 (Online); Volume 84; Issue 2
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- The sedentarization of shepherds at the margins of the desert and the introduction of private land ownership in the high Algerian steppe plains has led to profound lifestyle transformations and increased desertification. Based on policy analysis, field observations and oral surveys with 188 household heads, this paper underlines the social drivers of desertification where short-term economic strategies and political misunderstanding are the key elements. Agro-forestry-pastoral practices are no longer in balance with the local environment. Assembling the puzzle pieces has underlined that political leaders and administrators are only partially familiar with the local geosystem, have implemented multiple unsuccessful measures, and have been unable to sufficiently learn (from their efforts) due to political instability. The paper shows that the sedentarization occurring in this fragile environment with low soil fertility creates rural systems that are less resilient to climate fluctuations, which severely impacts both the environment and the most vulnerable inhabitants.<br />Sedentarizacija, odnosno stvaranje stalnih pastirskih naselja na rubovima pustinje te uvođenje privatnoga vlasništva nad zemljištem u visokim alžirskim stepskim ravnicama doveli su do snažnih transformacija u načinu života i povećane dezertifikacije. Na temelju analize politika, terenskih opažanja i provedenoga anketnog upitnika s otvorenim odgovorima 188 voditelja kućanstava u radu su istraženi socijalni pokretači dezertifikacije, pri čemu se kao ključni elementi prepoznaju kratkoročne ekonomske strategije i političko nerazumijevanje. Poljoprivredne, šumarske i pastirske prakse više nisu u ravnoteži s lokalnim okolišem. Politički vođe i osobe uključene u administraciju samo su djelomično upoznati s lokalnim geosustavom, proveli su više neuspješnih mjera te zbog političke nestabilnosti, unatoč vlastitom trudu, nisu bili u stanju dovoljno naučiti o tome. Rad pokazuje da sedentarizacija koja se pojavljuje u ovom krhkom okruženju s niskom plodnošću tla stvara ruralne sustave koji su manje otporni na klimatske fluktuacije, što snažno utječe i na okoliš i na najranjivije skupine stanovnika.
Details
- Database :
- OAIster
- Journal :
- Hrvatski geografski glasnik; ISSN 1331-5854 (Print); ISSN 1848-6401 (Online); Volume 84; Issue 2
- Notes :
- Boussaïd, Adel, Schmitz, Serge
- Publication Type :
- Electronic Resource
- Accession number :
- edsoai.on1393040328
- Document Type :
- Electronic Resource