desertify
Turn to wasteland
To desertify is to turn fertile land into desert through climate change, deforestation, or unsustainable farming practices.
The process strips soil of moisture and nutrients until it can no longer support vegetation: Overgrazing has desertified vast stretches of the Sahel.
Desertification is the noun form, common in environmental policy discussions.
Loss of ground fertility
- overgrazingExcessive pasture consumption
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- salinizationIncreasing salt concentration
- overcultivationExhausting soil through excess
soil compaction · impoverish · devastate · ravage · blight · deteriorate · barren · fallow
Complete removal of moisture
- parchedExtremely dry or thirsty
- drynessAbsence of moisture
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- parchDry out thoroughly
wilt · shrivel · scorch · bake · evaporate · thirst · waterless · dustbowl
Rising planetary temperatures
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- greenhouse gasesEmissions that trap heat
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- temperature riseIncrease in heat level
evapotranspiration · feedback loops · anthropogenic · drought cycle · heat stress · Sahel · climate refugees
Land worn by air
- deflationSustained decrease in prices
- sandblastingCleaning surfaces with pressurized grit
- dustFine settled particles
- siltWaterborne earth particles
gully · weathering · topsoil · dune formation · sediment · soil loss · windblown · blowout
Eliminating natural living spaces
- ecosystem collapseTotal breakdown of environmental systems
- species lossDisappearance of organism types
- carrying capacityPopulation an environment sustains
- rangelandLand for grazing animals
soil depletion
Loss of ground fertility
- overgrazingExcessive pasture consumption
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- salinizationIncreasing salt concentration
overcultivation · soil compaction · impoverish · devastate · ravage · blight · deteriorate · barren · fallow · wasteland
desiccation
Complete removal of moisture
- parchedExtremely dry or thirsty
- drynessAbsence of moisture
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
parch · wilt · shrivel · scorch · bake · evaporate · thirst · waterless · dustbowl · cracked
global warming
Rising planetary temperatures
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- greenhouse gasesEmissions that trap heat
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
temperature rise · evapotranspiration · feedback loops · anthropogenic · drought cycle · heat stress · Sahel · climate refugees
wind erosion
Land worn by air
- deflationSustained decrease in prices
- sandblastingCleaning surfaces with pressurized grit
- dustFine settled particles
silt · gully · weathering · topsoil · dune formation · sediment · soil loss · windblown · blowout · creep
habitat destruction
Eliminating natural living spaces
- ecosystem collapseTotal breakdown of environmental systems
- species lossDisappearance of organism types
- carrying capacityPopulation an environment sustains