Humans and the Desert

In some deserts and steppes traditional ways of life have changed, especially since the mid-20th century. Many nomadic groups have adopted settled ways of life or have been restricted to fixed areas by their country's government. Some oasis settlements have grown into modern cities.

Many of the changes occurring in the world's deserts have been caused by the development of desert resources. Especially important has been the extraction of oil and natural gas, which has brought more people to desert areas. Also contributing to changes in the deserts are technological advances that have brought security from drought to many areas and have made possible the development of large settlements. Reservoirs, canals, pipelines, desalinization plants, and deep wells are some of the means used to provide a steady supply of water. Careful water and land management along with the development of drought-resistant crops have helped make farming successful in some arid lands.

Human activities have often damaged the desert environment. Also, in semiarid areas along the fringes of deserts, human activities (especially those related to large-scale agricultural development) have contributed to desertification—reduction in the soil's ability to capture and store water.