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Desertification – Definition

Desertification is destruction of:

     • fertile soil,

It is basically found in dry areas and is primarily manmade. It can, however, be accelerated by the climatic changes.

About one third of the rural areas worldwide are endangered by desolation and desertification mainly by the influence of man (anthropogenic). This destruction of the environment by man takes place especially in relatively dry areas on our earth and is referred to as desertification. It is a potential threat to the health and the basis of existence for more than 1 billion people in 110 countries.

Definition of the term desertification
Constant degradation of land resources in dry areas caused by different factors, amongst others changes in climate and the influence of man (UNCCD, Art 1a), is referred to as desertification.

Causes
In many cases improper agricultural use, overgrazing and deforestation trigger desertification but are not primarily its cause. These environmentally harmful actions are mainly based on the strong increase in population, but natural deviations of the amount of rain also have a certain influence because desertification can be triggered or intensified in times of drought.  

Consequences
The over extensive use of natural resources (soil, vegetation and water) by man results in drastic consequences:

• the vegetation deteriorates or disappears completely

• the soil erodes, salinizes or silts up and can therefore not be used for agricultural purposes anymore

• water becomes scarce and cannot infiltrate into the soil, because the soil surface is compressed

Desertification is manmade

The unprotected agricultural areas are blown away by the wind

Desertification is defined as the sustainable degradation of land resources in dry areas caused by various factors amongst others changes in climate and the influence of man (UNCCD, Art 1a)

 

Poor agricultural associations are affected most: 200 million people suffer. Many of the countries affected by desertification belong to the last ones on the UNDP list for human development. In these countries the soil is degraded and cannot be used for supplying the people with food. At the moment about 200 million people are in this situation. Many of them have to migrate to areas where food resources have not been so badly destroyed yet. The same procedure then starts all over again.

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