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Glite Dictionary
desertification

desertification

4 7.9
Land becomes dry and loses plants because of drought, cutting trees, or bad farming
  • noun
  • /ˌdɛzərtəfɪˈkeɪʃən/
  • Specialized
: desertificación
  • More than 100 countries are suffering the consequences of desertification or land degradation in dryland areas.
  • erosion and desertification
  • deforestation and desertification
  • desertification and drought

Are there also factors of desertification?

Examples

  • In the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China, desertification presents a serious threat.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Moreover, as vegetation dies and soil is disturbed, desertification increases emissions of carbon dioxide.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Levels of recognition of desertification were lower in the village communities than in the city.

    Academic text (2008)

  • In particular, the role of scale remains at the root of an ongoing debate over desertification in Africa.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The level of recognition of desertification varies among the inhabitants living there.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Determining the precise contribution of climate change to the problem of desertification is not an easy matter.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Once plowed, they became prone to soil erosion and desertification and were often subject to drought.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Agenda 21's structure is based on key issues, such as combating desertification, protecting the atmosphere, and managing toxic wastes.

    Academic text (1994)

  • We investigated HRQOL and recognition of desertification among people in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The experts held a conference to discuss solutions to combat desertification in Africa.

Antonyms

reclamation
  • Specialized
8 6.3

Land that people make usable for living or farming

reforestation
3 3.8

Planting trees to bring back a forest after people cut or burn it

How Arid

desertification
  • Specialized
4 7.9
fertile soil
5 2.3

Surface Forms

desertification singular
desertifications plural

Morphology

desertification = desertify (transparent) = desert + ify + ation

Standard nominalization of the verb 'desertify' (desert + -ify) to indicate the process or result ('-ation'), so the meaning 'process of becoming desert' is directly derived.

Etymology

Desertification comes from the parts desert and -ification; desert means 'dry, empty land' and -ification means 'making'. So desertification is the process of making fertile land turn into dry, empty land.