desertified

Desertified is the adjective used to describe land that has undergone desertification, the process by which fertile or semi-arid land becomes desert or desert-like. The resulting conditions are typically marked by persistent vegetation loss, soil erosion and crusting, reduced soil moisture, salinization, and a decline in agricultural productivity and biodiversity. Desertified land may no longer support the previous mix of crops, grasses, and natural ecosystems, increasing vulnerability to droughts and climate variability.

Desertification arises from a combination of natural and human factors. Prolonged drought and shifts in rainfall patterns, often linked to climate change, reduce water availability. Human activities—overcultivation, deforestation, overgrazing, and inefficient irrigation—degrade soil structure, reduce organic matter, and increase erosion and salinization. Poverty, population pressure, and weak governance can exacerbate land degradation, creating feedback loops that drive further desertification.

Geographically, desertification is most often discussed in semi-arid regions such as the Sahel in Africa, parts of Central Asia and the Middle East, and areas of western China. The term is sometimes used to describe land that has become barren or sparsely vegetated due to chronic degradation rather than true desert formation.

Impacts include lower crop yields, reduced water quality and availability, dust emissions, and heightened risk of famine and displacement. Recovery requires sustainable land management, restoration of vegetation, soil rehabilitation, and improved governance. Practices such as reforestation or afforestation, agroforestry, controlled grazing, soil conservation, water harvesting, and efficient irrigation can help restore productivity. International efforts, notably the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, coordinate policies and funding to combat desertification worldwide.