desséchement

Desséchement is the process or result of drying out, used in French to describe the loss of moisture in soil, water bodies, ecosystems, or biological tissues. In hydrology and ecology, it denotes the progressive drying of a system, such as a wetland that dries, a lake that recedes, groundwater depletion, or the desiccation of soils. The noun is derived from des- (apart) and sécher (to dry).

In biology and material science, desséchement can refer to desiccation of tissues or dried products, where water is removed to preserve or alter properties. The term is thus applied across disciplines to indicate drying processes or outcomes.

Causes include natural climate variability, extended droughts, and higher temperatures that raise evapotranspiration, as well as anthropogenic water withdrawal and land-use changes that reduce moisture availability or recharge. Effects range from lower crop yields and water shortages to ecosystem stress, habitat loss, soil crust formation, erosion, and dust generation. In arid and semi-arid regions, repeated desséchement can contribute to desertification when combined with poor land management.

Monitoring relies on drought indicators such as the SPEI or PDSI, measurements of soil moisture, groundwater levels, and observations of surface water extent, as well as satellite indices like NDVI. Adaptation and mitigation include water-saving irrigation, drought preparedness, soil moisture conservation, and wetland restoration to maintain ecological function and resilience.