desertification
noun
Meaning
The process by which fertile land becomes increasingly dry and unproductive, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.
Examples
- Overgrazing by livestock is a primary driver of desertification in arid regions.
- Governments are implementing reforestation projects to combat the rapid desertification of the plains.
Synonyms: land degradation, soil erosion, aridity, desiccation