18.7: Desertification

Desertification

Climate change and other human activities, such as unsustainable farming practices, livestock overgrazing, and overuse of available water can degrade previously arable Links to an external site. land, a process known as desertification Links to an external site.. This is a serious problem worldwide and will continue to worsen with climate change. Figure 18.18 shows areas of the world and their vulnerability to desertification. Note the red and orange areas in the western United States. Mitigating the desertification process includes both societal steps and individual education on alternatives to harmful activities.

Global map illustrating desertification vulnerability in different colors. Low vulnerability in green. Moderate vulnerability in yellow. High vulnerability in orange. High vulnerability in red.

Figure 18.18: Global Desertification Vulnerability Map. (Public Domain; USDA-NRCS, Soil Survey Division Links to an external site.)