Abstract
Extensive geographic areas of the world show a long-term atmospheric moisture deficit. Desertification of Rajasthan is concurrent with the strengthened weather extremality and mean annual air temperature (MAAT) rise over the western part of the Indian subcontinent. The present landscape aridification due to the precipitation decrease and reinforced windiness generates surface-cover dryness, aeolian erosion with a mass sediment transfer, salinity of excessively irrigated lands and groundwater depletion; altogether these pose major geo-environmental threats and settlement risks of the expanding Thar Desert. Livestock-overgrazing of sparse-vegetation contributes to ecological pressure to the fragile wasteland ecosystems with approximately three-quarters of the countryside affected to a certain extent by degradation and >50% exposed to wind erosion. Sand dune stabilisation by the drought-adapted tree plantation, the regional hydrology network regulation and the arid-land farming based on new xerophytic cultigens are the key land-use and mitigation strategies. Specific geomorphic palaeosettings predetermined patterned adaptive forms of the ancient desert inhabitation. Geo- and eco-tourism contributes to the arid-zone socioeconomic sustainability with regard to the rich natural and cultural heritage of the area. This study outlines the main effects of the current climate variations on the pristine and occupied lands of western Rajasthan, and the past and present relief transformations, and reviews the modern anthropogenic responses to desertification.
Highlights
The modern landscapes of western Rajasthan have been shaped by vigorous geomorphic processes—both endogenous and exogenous
The principal relief forms are of diverse geological geneses, including structural, denudational, fluvial, lacustrine, marine trangressive, deltaic and aeolian, as well as the anthropogenic landscape forms related to the past, subrecent and present rural and urban development [10,28,29], and some geoforms with UNESCO geoheritage status [30]
Hamadas—sedimentary matrix-free Mesozoic palaeosurfaces—form prominent, elevated wind-abraded platforms that are exposed above the surrounding countryside (Figure 4E). These pediplain remnants [31], resulting from the long-term physical and chemical weathering with a strong ferric permineralisation [32], belong to the most authentic geomorphic features of the Thar Desert
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Present aridification is a worldwide phenomenon threatening regional ecosystems and economies [1,2,3,4,5]. The trends of globally progressing landscape dryness reflect the changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, solar insolation and windiness contributing to regional climate continentality. The combination of these factors predetermines geomorphic landscape dynamics, groundwater resources and environmental sustainability
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