desertification
Fertile-to-barren transformation
Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically through drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.
The term usually describes human-accelerated degradation rather than natural desert expansion: Overgrazing has caused desertification across much of the Sahel.
Climate change intensifies the problem in vulnerable regions.
Devoid of water
- parchedExtremely dry or thirsty
- drynessAbsence of moisture
- barrenUnable to produce
- dunesWind-formed sand ridges
sand · evaporation · xerophyte · succulent · cacti · sere · desiccation · dust
Loss of topsoil
- overgrazingExcessive pasture consumption
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- salinizationIncreasing salt concentration
- soil compactionCompression of ground particles
nutrient depletion · wind erosion · siltation · slash-and-burn · monoculture · groundwater depletion · waterlogging
Rising planetary temperatures
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- temperature riseIncrease in heat level
- drought cycleRecurring period of dryness
- carbon emissionsReleased greenhouse gases
anthropogenic · climate crisis · Sahel · dust bowl · heat stress · evapotranspiration · climate adaptation
Removal from usual location
- migrationMovement to new territory
- food insecurityUncertain access to adequate meals
- rural exodusMass departure from countryside
- povertySevere lack of resources
conflict · water scarcity · humanitarian crisis · climate refugees · subsistence farming
Elimination of living spaces
- ecosystem collapseTotal breakdown of environmental systems
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- successionFollowing in order
- restorationReturning something to condition
Replanting depleted woodlands
- afforestationIntroducing woods to treeless land
- agroforestryTrees integrated with farming
- terracingCutting slopes into steps
- revegetationRestoring lost plant cover
soil conservation · water harvesting · drip irrigation · mulching · cover crops · land stewardship · rehabilitation
arid
Devoid of water
dunes · sand · evaporation · xerophyte · succulent · cacti · sere · desiccation · dust · cracked earth
soil erosion
Loss of topsoil
- overgrazingExcessive pasture consumption
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- salinizationIncreasing salt concentration
soil compaction · nutrient depletion · wind erosion · siltation · slash-and-burn · monoculture · groundwater depletion · waterlogging
global warming
Rising planetary temperatures
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- temperature riseIncrease in heat level
- drought cycleRecurring period of dryness
carbon emissions · anthropogenic · climate crisis · Sahel · dust bowl · heat stress · evapotranspiration · climate adaptation
displacement
Removal from usual location
- migrationMovement to new territory
- food insecurityUncertain access to adequate meals
- rural exodusMass departure from countryside
poverty · conflict · water scarcity · humanitarian crisis · climate refugees · subsistence farming
habitat loss
Elimination of living spaces
- ecosystem collapseTotal breakdown of environmental systems
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- successionFollowing in order
restoration · rewilding · land reclamation · shelterbelts · windbreaks
reforestation
Replanting depleted woodlands
- afforestationIntroducing woods to treeless land
- agroforestryTrees integrated with farming
- terracingCutting slopes into steps
revegetation · soil conservation · water harvesting · drip irrigation · mulching · cover crops · land stewardship · rehabilitation
- AfricaEgypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania
- ecologyhabitat, ecosystem, balance, niche, food webs
- environmental harmair pollution, water pollution, pollution, oil spills, acid rain
- environmental issuesair pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss, global warming, habitat loss
- Environmental problemsair pollution, water pollution, climate change, global warming, habitat loss
- Natural Processesphotosynthesis, decomposition, evaporation, erosion, carbon cycle
desertificationreforestation
Replanting depleted woodlands
afforestation · revegetation · land reclamation · regreening · land restoration
desert, deserted, deserts, deserter, desertion, deserters, desertify, desertified, semidesert