Desertification takes place when land that was once fertile enough to raise crops and thrive in an agricultural area, becomes a dry desert wasteland which can be the result of many different things; drought, deforestation or poor agricultural decisions. “Desertification has strong adverse impacts on non-drylands as well; affected areas may sometimes be located thousands of kilometers away from the desertified areas.” ( Millennium Ecosystem Assessment., 2005). The affects that desertification can have on other areas is a biophysical effect, meaning that it affects the biophysics of an area, the process and its factors have an adverse influence on survival, development and evolution of any given area affected by desertification.  Much like the affects in the area that was once the Aral Sea. Those who are trying to fix the water issue and the salt intake issue can see the effects on the human body as many of the inhabitants come down with many salt related illnesses and the lack of medicine and proper care leads to further issues down the road.

Much like what we have learned when it came to isolated and still developing communities regarding air pollution, the lack of resources and cultural advancements, has an affect on the people of the area surrounding the Aral Sea. According to the video, The collapse of the Aral Sea Ecosystem, the Aral Sea will continue to shrink and in time, there may be nothing left. The video also began with an opening that spoke wonders to the devastation that happened after the collapse of the Aral Sea. They lost boats, and fishing grounds. That has an affect on the well being of those that inhabit the area as they lose a food source. With a suffering healthcare system, it is hard to treat those suffering from the effects of desertification and keep the entire community taken care of.

References

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. (2005). Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Desertification Synthesis. (pp.12-21). Retrieved from Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Desertification Synthesis (2005) [pdf 3Mb]

Bowie, G. (Writer & Director). (2000). The collapse of the Aral Sea ecosystem [Video file]. Retrieved from https://fod.infobase.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?Token=29877&aid=18596&Plt=FOD&loid=0&w=640&h=480&ref=