Desertification threatens the livelihoods of people living in dry environments

About 30 percent of the world’s population live in dry areas covering more than 40 percent of the world’s land surface. These dry areas, referred to as drylands, are characterised by water scarcity, affecting natural ecosystems and limiting agricultural activities and production. Despite the challenges, many people depend on the livestock and food produced in dryland areas. However, dryland areas are particularly susceptible to desertification which is a type of land degradation.

Biological productivity is lost due to natural processes such as changes in climate or caused by human activities resulting in fertile areas become increasingly arid. Causes of desertification include climate change, deforestation, overuse of groundwater and poor agricultural practices. Unsustainable land uses place pressure on the land by altering its soil chemistry and hydrology. As land becomes degraded and unproductive, more natural areas are cleared and converted which in turn become degraded.

The United Nations and the 197 country signatories to the Convention to Combat Desertification recognise today as World Desertification and Drought Day. The theme for 2021 is restoration, land, recovery. This links with the growing call for a green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic to create resilient economies. Restoring degraded land creates jobs and generates economic benefits improving livelihoods. In addition, it increases food security, brings back biodiversity and potentially slows climate change.

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