The blog has tried to incorporate a range of classic papers, illuminate notable further literature, provide videos, interesting case studies, popular news articles, and direct attentions towards critical governing bodies or organisation publications. The over arching aim of this was to offer a mixture of technical and non technical materials and posts in an attempt to make the blog as accessible as possible, encouraging academic readers as well as those keen to learn a little more about some of the key environmental issues influencing modern society.
As I hope has become clear, deserts are a key part of the Earth System and offer challenging problems and opportunities related to climate change, human populations and global systems. Furthermore, I hope I have portrayed the importance of studying desert environments. The blog has touched just some of the key issues revolving around the world’s drylands and I should make it clear that there are many more worthy points of discussion outside of this blog.
The blog first presented hydrological phenomena within the arid regions. From the importance of the monsoonal circulation, to water resources, to the effects of both water on humans and humans on water… many different systems were eluded to. The posts built up to the section finale that explained some of the disastrous consequences disruption of natural regimes can on humans and the environment have with a case study on the Aral Sea.
From desert hydrology I introduced an extremely current and relevant strand of geomorphology and environmental change in dust. We explored what dust was and where it is most commonly found and why with a case study of the Bodélé Depression. From this I highlighted the direction of cutting edge research in the field with studies related to biogeochemical cycling and aerobiology. Once again, it was highly apparent that natural processes could seriously affect human populations, amplifying the importance of further investigation.
Perhaps the punch line of the blog, humans and desert environments, justifiably received most attention. Initially there was consideration of the interconnectedness of humans and desertification. This linkage has been shown to control human evolution, human adaptation and modification of culture, traditions or methods of living. Furthermore it was considered how desertification in monitored, how the desert environments can be strategically utilised by humans and the problems that humans may incur should the environment be mismanaged or over exploited.
The final section of the blog illustrated the potential future for desert environments. Its is clear that in order for such predictions, current technologies and monitoring strategies need to be markedly improved. With this improvement in time, more specific management strategies and policies can be directed towards the safeguarding of beneficial processes and manipulation of problematic occurrences. Most critically, the continued study and research of desert environments will allow significant contributions to be made with regards to an Integrated Earth Systems Model, the present-day holy grail for many scientists.
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