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