What term is used for the loss of soil productivity leading to the formation of desert-like conditions?

Desertification refers to the process through which fertile land becomes increasingly arid and unproductive, ultimately leading to desert-like conditions. This phenomenon often results from a combination of factors, including climatic changes, deforestation, overgrazing, and poor land management practices. As soil becomes more degraded, its ability to support plant life diminishes, which can result in a cycle of further degradation and loss of biodiversity.

Unlike erosion, which specifically involves the removal of topsoil by wind or water but does not inherently lead to desert conditions, desertification encompasses the broader process of land degradation. Salinization involves the accumulation of salts in soil, which can reduce productivity, but it is a different process from desertification and is often a consequence of poor irrigation practices. Deforestation refers to the removal of forests, which can contribute to desertification through increased soil erosion and loss of moisture retention, but it is not synonymous with the broader definition of desertification itself. Therefore, the correct term for the loss of soil productivity leading to desert-like conditions is indeed desertification.