Desertification

Desertification is the progressive degradation process of a soil and its vegetation where the affected region progressively acquires the aridity of a true desert. Desertification can be due to climatic causes or due to human activity (in particular over-grazing and deforestation). Desertification threatens the biodiversity and survival of populations; it can affect all semi-arid or even sub-humid regions of the planet. The UNO has set up a Convention to combat desertification (UNCCD), which came into force in December 1996.