GCSE Geography, Climatic Challenges and Opportunities in the Sahara Desert

Hot deserts are known for their harsh climates and unforgiving landscapes, yet their are economic and environmental opportunities in these regions in you look closely enough. Water and resource management becomes even more important in the Sahara as drought and desertification takes hold.

This 4 lesson bundle covers everything your students need to know about a desert case study for their examination on the ‘Living World’/ Ecosystems’ topic for the AQA exam board specification. The first lesson analysis the climate of the Sahara using a living graph to cut and stick statements around. The second lesson focuses on hidden resources in the Shel, such as oil, minerals and hidden underground aquifers. Students make a chloropeth map to show where these are found. Students will also take part in group work to present to the class about how different plant and animal life has adapted to the harsh conditions of the Sahara desert. In addition, they will sort statements into a venn diagram to classify the various human causes of desertification (climate change, agriculture or population pressure) before summarising their notes into a mindmap. Finally, they will examine a range of approaches in use to combat desertification, and write up a full report of their findings. By the end of these resources you students will have a sound and detailed understanding on the concepts of;

Desertification
Adaptions
Economic opportunities
Social, economic and environ
aggroforestry

They will also attempt exam questions such as;

Explain the human causes of desertification
Explain how the desert climate impacts upon the people living there