Desertification is a type of land degradation that occurs in drylands, where biological productivity is lost due to natural processes or human activities, causing fertile areas to become arid. It is not the physical expansion of existing deserts, but rather the process by which vegetation in drylands decreases and eventually disappears. Some key points about desertification are:
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Causes: Desertification can be caused by a variety of factors, including climate change, deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable irrigation practices, and variations in climate.
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Consequences: Desertification can have significant economic, social, and environmental implications, including reduced agricultural productivity, increased poverty, and loss of biodiversity.
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Definition: The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) defines desertification as "land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities".
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Reversal: Techniques and countermeasures exist for mitigating or reversing the effects of desertification, such as reforestation, sustainable land management practices, and water conservation.
Desertification is a significant global issue, with drylands accounting for more than 40% of the worlds terrestrial surface area.
