What is the process called that leads to fertile land turning into desert due to degradation?

The process that leads to fertile land turning into desert due to degradation is known as desertification. This phenomenon typically occurs when land is overused, resulting in diminished soil quality and productivity. Factors such as deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, and climatic changes contribute to this process, which ultimately causes a reduction in vegetation cover. As plants are removed and soil is exposed, erosion increases, and the land can lose its ability to retain moisture, making it inhospitable for crops and natural vegetation.

Understanding desertification is crucial, especially in regions that are already vulnerable to drought and climate change. Measures to prevent desertification often involve sustainable land management practices, reforestation, and efforts to restore soil health. By recognizing the causes and consequences of desertification, strategies can be developed to combat this serious environmental issue and promote land sustainability.

Other processes mentioned, such as urbanization, relate more to city growth and development rather than land degradation leading to desert conditions. Deforestation specifically refers to the clearing of forests but does not encompass the broader degradation process leading to desertification. Salinization involves the accumulation of salts in the soil, which can also affect agricultural productivity but operates through a different mechanism than that of desertification.