Science glossary film: Desertification

The degradation of usable land into desert. It happens naturally, but can be rapidly accelerated by man-made activities, such as overgrazing or diverting natural water flows. A striking example occurred in the 1930s in the USA, where farming methods on the Great Plain, followed by a drought, created a dust bowl. Over 40 million hectares of farmland were destroyed almost overnight.

It happens naturally, but can be rapidly accelerated by man-made activities, such as overgrazing or diverting natural water flows. A striking example occurred in the 1930s in the USA, where farming methods on the Great Plain, followed by a drought, created a dust bowl. Over 40 million hectares of farmland were destroyed almost overnight.