Desertification
A type of land degradation in drylands when fertile areas become more arid
Real World Example
Historically, desertification became a significant concern as human activities, such as overgrazing and deforestation, increased in dryland areas, causing fertile lands to turn into deserts. This was important as it led to food shortages, forced migrations, and conflicts over scarce resources. Today, desertification continues to be a major issue, affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly in regions like the Sahel in Africa. It matters because it threatens food security, reduces biodiversity, and can lead to economic hardship for communities that depend on agriculture. For example, if a farmer's land becomes too arid to grow crops, they may lose their livelihood, impacting their family and local community.
