desertification

[ dih-zur-tuh-fi-key-shuh n ]
/ dɪˌzɜr tə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR desertification ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Ecology.

the processes by which an area becomes a desert.
the rapid depletion of plant life and the loss of topsoil at desert boundaries and in semiarid regions, usually caused by a combination of drought and the overexploitation of grasses and other vegetation by people.
Also des·ert·i·za·tion [dez-er-tuh-zey-shuh n] /ˌdɛz ər təˈzeɪ ʃən/.
Compare aridification.

Origin of desertification

First recorded in 1970–75; desert1 + -i- + -fication

Words nearby desertification

desert rock, desert soil, desert varnish, deserted, deserticolous, desertification, desertion, deserve, deserved, deservedly, deserving

Words related to desertification

erosion, logging

Example sentences from the Web for desertification

British Dictionary definitions for desertification

desertification
/ (dɪˌzɜːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən) /

noun

a process by which fertile land turns into barren land or desert

Scientific definitions for desertification

desertification
[ dĭ-zûr′tə-fĭ-kā′shən ]

The transformation of land once suitable for agriculture into desert. Desertification can result from climate change or from human practices such as deforestation and overgrazing.