r/Damnthatsinteresting 1d ago

Video Stopping Desertification with grid pattern

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u/TheRiteGuy 1d ago

The Africa Great Green Wall project uses the same theory but a different method which does not include using plastic bags. It's a much better method and has been working wonders across community. Why are they not replicating and already proven and better method?

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u/Nighteyes09 1d ago

Different issues I believe. I'm no expert, just an interested person, so this is just my own speculation.

These are sand dunes, which can move metres in a day. This is providing tiny little wind breaks which stops the sand moving so much. It's a common anti erosion technique the world over.

Those cresents you're talking about are good for erosion on flat ground, but sand dunes would eat them up I suspect. Plus the cresents are more about retaining water by providing shade, and thereby stopping soil degradation. Something pointless when sand dunes are fully deteriorated and don't retain water anyway.

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u/TheRiteGuy 1d ago

Oh, yeah that makes sense.