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Difficulty: EasyEnvironmental Hazards and Resource Management in Nigeria

Which environmental hazard refers to the progressive land degradation and encroachment of arid, desert-like conditions in the northern savanna belts of Nigeria?

  1. DesertificationAnswer
  2. B
    Gully erosion
  3. C
    Coastal inundation
  4. D
    Mass wasting

Answer

The correct option is Desertification, which describes the environmental degradation process resulting in the loss of vegetation cover and land desiccation across northern Nigeria.
Desertification is the primary environmental hazard threatening the far northern states of Nigeria (such as Yobe, Borno, Sokoto, and Katsina). It is driven by prolonged drought, deforestation, and overgrazing, leading to loss of topsoil and vegetation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the geographical context and environmental characteristic described in the prompt.
The prompt describes land degradation and desert-like encroachment occurring specifically in northern Nigeria's savanna belts.
Geographical location (northern Nigeria) and physical symptoms (arid conditions) define the specific hazard type.
2
Match the environmental hazard definition to the spatial region.
Desertification refers explicitly to the degradation of land in dryland/savanna areas into desert condition.
This directly aligns with the climatic conditions of the Sahel and Sudan savanna zones in northern Nigeria.

Key Concept

Spatial Distribution of Environmental Hazards in Nigeria
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Topics

Environmental Hazards and Resource Management in Nigeria

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