Download Chapter 7 Section 1

Ch 7-1
Environmental Geog.Life in a Fragile World
Culture Hearth…
 Many cultural innovations either originated
here or passed through here (via
trade/invasion) and diffused throughout the
world. These innovations include
agricultural practices & the development of
3 monotheistic religions. The region has
also been a pivotal trade route for
centuries, linking Africa, Europe & the rest
of Asia.
Varied terrain…
 While there are several deserts, the
physical features of the region are
diverse and include rocky plateaus ,
mountain ranges, & some well
watered highlands as well. (see phys.
Geog. Map on p. 278)
“Environmental warfare”
 Ex: use of fire to flush out opponents;
 Ex: use of defoliants to reveal enemy
movements through dense vegetation;
 Ex: Iraq set over 700 oil wells in Kuwait on
fire in 1st PG conflict; the fires burned for
months & the petroleum released into the
desert caused env. Problems.
 Ex: Iraq cut off water supply to an area
between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers in
the north in 1991 forcing many Marsh Arabs
out of their settled areas as well as causing
famine and drought “ecocide.”
Regions/Descriptions…
 MAGHREB: N. African nations of
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia; has Med.
Coastline & includes Atlas Mts &
Sahara; significant as link bet. ME, N.
Af & Eur.
 INTERIOR N. AFRICA: Libya, Egypt,
Sudan; Contains arid Libyan Des. But
also fertile lands in Egypt & Sudan b/c
of Nile River.
REGIONS/DESCRIPTIONS
 LEVANT: Eastern Med. Region is
mountainous close to coast & dominated by
highlands further inland;
 ARABIAN PENINSULA: massive tilted
plateau dominated by Saudi Arabia; home
to much of the region’s oil $$$
 PERSIAN GULF: separates Arabian
Peninsula from Iran; Key waterways are
Persian Gulf & Strait of Hormuz;
REGIONS/DESCRIPTIONS
 IRANIAN PLATEAU: North & East of
Arabian Peninsula; 1 of the 2 great elevated
areas of the region along with ANATOLIAN
PLATEAU (Turkey – landmass that
separates Europe & Asia). Both are very
rugged & very prone to earthquakes. Elburz
Mts., among the highest in the region
exceeding 18,000 ft., are in northern Iran
Human & animal
adaptation to aridity…
 ARIDITY – lacking enough water for things
to grow; dry & barren.
 Why is this region so dry?? A nearly
continuous belt of desert lands stretch
across the entire region (text p. 280).
 Animals can efficiently store water (ex.
Camels can go weeks between water holes)
 Animals hunt nocturnally when it cools
Continued…
 Humans have settled in the Yemen
highlands because it is on the fringe of the
summer monsoon belt & receives more
rain;
 Bedouins live a nomadic lifestyle in the
Arabian desert by moving with the animals
and following the sparse rain as it
replenishes the oases of the region (oasis:
a fertile place in a desert)
Mediterranean climate
 Ex. 1: the Maghreb. Hot, dry
summers alternate with cool, wet
winters.
 Ex 2: the Levant. This climate makes
these areas much more popular for
human habitation.
 Ex. 3: Iranian & Anatolian plateaus –
dry, much cooler temps.
HUMAN INTERACTION WITH
THE ENVIRONMENT…
 DEFORESTATION & OVERGRAZING
 Ancient problem b/c much of the region is
too dry for trees; where there is sufficient
moisture forests may be found.
 Woodlands of Lebanon: under threat of
extinction (N)
 Upland forests: significantly reduced to
create more farmland (N)
Continued…
 Heavy grazing of grasslands in Med. Areas
(N)
 Lumber, pulp & other forest products must
be imported which is costly (N)
 Deterioration of area’s water supply (N)
 Accelerated soil erosion (N)
 Several governments have launched
reforestation & preservation programs (P)
Salinization
 Salinization – the buildup of toxic salts
in the soil (exacerbated by heavy use
of irrigation).
 POSITIVES: salt resistant crop
development; desalinization
technology is improving & becoming
more affordable;
 NEGATIVES: desert conditions lead
to salinization – that will not change;
many acres of arable land will
continue to be lost.
MANAGING WATER
 This is one of the driest regions on earth so
water management has been a long
standing issue of concern.
 POSITIVES: innovative technology brings
water to where it is needed (quanat system;
using fossil water; dam projects;
desalinization plants).
 NEGATIVES: salinization due to over
irrigating; tensions between countries over
water management plans; loss of arable
land due to dams;
 HYDROPOLITICS: the interplay of water
resource issues & politics.
Desalination clip