We have the opportunity to bring several billion acres of desertified and depleted land back to its natural state. Increasingly understood by agriculture scientists, low-cost natural permaculture practices that replicate pre-industrial grazing and water management techniques offer us a world-changing opportunity. Once restored, these lands can even support ranching and other forms of agriculture. Biodiversity for a Livable Climate offers a large library of climate restoration research, from which this quiz was developed.
Biodiversity for a Livable Climate, a non-profit that provides information and leadership about using ecosystem restoration through land management to reverse global warming, publishes a regular “compendia” of recent land management information. This week’s quiz introduces you to the positive outcomes from simple changes in how pastureland, forests, and desertified farm and wetlands can be restored by healthy practices. Get ready for questions about cows, land, and beavers. Every week, Earth911.com challenges you with quizzes that test your sustainability savvy and help you make environmentally friendly choices when you shop, use products, and dispose of unwanted items.
Trees are nature’s air conditioners. They cool the environment and process nutrients while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. How many central air conditioning units would be needed to match the cooling and air output of a tree that transpires (takes in and processes) 100 liters of water a day?
According to the United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight Against Desertification, 41.2 percent of global landmass is desert and dryland. What percentage of global lands are degrading and becoming drier or desertified?
The European Environment Agency studied the difference in water retention in soils that are covered with 10 percent forest and 30 percent forest foliage. More forest provides better water retention, which allows other plants to grow, as well as for livestock to graze without damaging the land.
How much more water is retained by 30 percent forest cover compared to 10 percent forest coverage?
The British Ecological Society published research in early 2018 that found fungi are critical contributors to a healthy eco-system. After studying soil in the Serengeti, how much does fungi, which accounted for only one percent of Serengeti biomass, increase overall biomass diversity?
According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Africa will lose two-thirds of its arable land to desertification by 2030. How many hectares (one hundred square acres) are lost to desertification each minute on average?
The Art of Land Restoration
A tree can do the work of how many central air conditioners using 100 liters of water?
How much of the world’s land is threatened by degradation and desertification?
How does forest cover affect water retention in the soil?
Are fungi the key to healthy soil?
How many hectares of land are lost to desertification each minute?
Making smart sustainable choices requires practice. Earth911’s weekly sustainability quiz helps you hone your ability to recognize earth-friendly products and services. Through your daily choices — from transportation mode to purchases to waste disposal — you can make a positive difference.
Feature image courtesy of Free-Photos on Pixabay
Editor’s note: This quiz was originally published on August 30, 2018.
The post Earth911 Quiz #26: The Art of Land Restoration appeared first on Earth 911.
