Which term refers to a region of grassland south of the Sahara that is gradually diminishing?

Which term refers to a region of grassland south of the Sahara that is gradually diminishing?

• A. Sahara
• B. Savanna
• C. Steppe
• D. Sahel

Answer: (D)

The main idea is identifying the sub‑Saharan belt that is undergoing desertification. This region is the Sahel—the semi‑arid strip just south of the Sahara, where rainfall is variable and vegetation is sparse. Over time, human pressures such as overgrazing, deforestation, and land mismanagement, combined with climate variability, lead to soil degradation and loss of vegetation, so the area effectively shrinks as deserts encroach. That’s why this term is described as gradually diminishing. The Sahara is the vast desert to its north, the savanna is a more rainfall-rich grassland further south, and the steppe is a dry grassland type found in other regions, not this African belt.

The main idea is identifying the sub‑Saharan belt that is undergoing desertification. This region is the Sahel—the semi‑arid strip just south of the Sahara, where rainfall is variable and vegetation is sparse. Over time, human pressures such as overgrazing, deforestation, and land mismanagement, combined with climate variability, lead to soil degradation and loss of vegetation, so the area effectively shrinks as deserts encroach. That’s why this term is described as gradually diminishing. The Sahara is the vast desert to its north, the savanna is a more rainfall-rich grassland further south, and the steppe is a dry grassland type found in other regions, not this African belt.