What is desertif?

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Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, resulting in the desertification of formerly productive land. This phenomenon is primarily caused by human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, inappropriate agricultural practices, urbanization, and climate change.

Desertification has a profound impact on the environment, society and economy of affected areas. It leads to a decline in soil fertility, loss of biodiversity, decreased water availability, increased sedimentation and dust storms, increased carbon emissions, and an overall decrease in the capacity of ecosystems to provide essential goods and services.

The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international treaty that aims to prevent, combat and reverse desertification, land degradation and drought. It promotes sustainable land management practices, encourages the restoration of degraded lands, and facilitates the sharing of knowledge, technology and best practices.

Effective strategies to combat desertification include integrated land use planning, soil conservation, afforestation and reforestation, water resource management, promotion of sustainable agricultural techniques, and education and awareness-raising activities. The implementation of these strategies requires the cooperation and participation of local communities, governments, NGOs and international organizations.