Desertification
What is desertification? Discover its causes and consequences
The UN, which has been fighting desertification since 1994, defines it as the process of land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas as a result of various climatic and human factors. With climate change, these factors have only multiplied and it is now considered one of the world's major environmental problems.
6,000 years ago, the Sahara desert, now the largest desert in the world, was grassland covered with vegetation. The oscillations of the Earth's axis turned this area of the planet from an orchard to a sandy area where almost nothing can grow. In that case, we speak of a process of natural desertification which is in contrast to what is happening currently: large areas of the planet are being desertified at an accelerated rate as a result of human activity and climate change.
Definition of desertification
Desertification is the process by which vegetation in drylands i.e. arid and semi-arid lands, such as grasslands or shrublands, decreases and eventually disappears. The concept does not refer to the physical expansion of existing deserts, but to the various processes that threaten to turn currently non-desert ecosystems into deserts.
Human activities, including deforestation and the overexploitation of aquifers, accelerate desertification. The effects of climate change, which is also driven by humans, and the destruction it causes in the form of extreme weather phenomena such as droughts, hurricanes, fires, etc. must be added to this.
According to the UN, more than 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil disappear every year. In fact, today two-thirds of the Earth is undergoing a process of desertification and, if no action is taken, 1.5 million km2 of agricultural land, an area equivalent to the entire arable land of India, which is essential for maintaining biodiversity and feeding the population, will be lost by 2050.
Desertification and desertisation: differences
Although they are often used interchangeably, the difference lies in the human influence on the process. In desertisation, the causes of deterioration are strictly natural, as in the case of the Sahara mentioned above, but in desertification, although natural causes also play a role, human activities are a determining factor.
Causes of desertification
The main human activities driving desertification are:
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Deforestation
Causes of which go beyond tree felling, which increases the risk of fires, among others.
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Poor agricultural practices
From not rotating crops to unprotected soils or chemical fertiliser and pesticide use, etc.
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Overexploitation of natural resources
As a consequence, for example, of irresponsible management of vegetation or water.
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Bad livestock practices
Such as overgrazing, which severely erode the land and prevent the regeneration of vegetation.
The areas of the world most vulnerable to desertification and why
Source: USDA (U. S. Department of Agriculture).
In Africa’s Sahel region, population growth has led to increased logging, illegal farming and land clearing for housing.
In the regions of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, which surround the Aral Sea, overuse of water for irrigation has been one of the factors responsible for the shrinking of the sea, transforming it into a saline desert.
Fires and deforestation ravaging the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, directly or indirectly related to livestock farming, are creating an arid zone incapable of sustaining vegetation.
The effects of climate change, in the form of increased droughts and forest fires, and over-farming are desertifying large parts of the western and southwestern United States.
In northern and western parts of Australia, it is due to the effects of overgrazing, overcultivation. Deforestation, lack of irrigation and increased drought are degrading the land.
Source: USDA (U. S. Department of Agriculture).
Consequences of desertification
Drylands cover about half of the earth's ice-free land surface and many of them belong to the world's poorest countries, which exacerbates the consequences:
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Loss of biodiversity
By worsening the living conditions of many species.
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Food insecurity
Due to crop failure or reduced yields.
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The loss of vegetation cover
And therefore of food for livestock and humans.
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Zoonotic diseases
Increased risk of zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19.
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Loss of forest cover
With a corresponding shortage of wood resources.
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Loss of water reserves
The decrease in drinking water reserves due to the loss of aquifers.
According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the lives of 250 million people are already affected by desertification and up to 135 million could be forced to move (climate migration) for this reason by 2045, making it one of the most serious environmental problems facing humanity.
Desertification and biodiversity
Desertification and biodiversity loss are closely linked. As soil becomes degraded and loses fertility, ecosystems become less capable of supporting plant and animal life, disrupting their natural balance and reducing their resilience to climate change.
The disappearance of vegetation cover and the degradation of habitats make it harder for many plant and animal species to survive. In addition, ecosystem fragmentation limits their ability to recover and reduces biological diversity, particularly in areas that are most vulnerable to droughts and other extreme weather events.
The degradation of ecosystems also results in the loss of essential ecosystem services that support human wellbeing. These include regulating the water cycle, maintaining soil fertility, storing carbon, pollinating crops and protecting against erosion. When these services deteriorate, the vulnerability of territories increases and activities such as agriculture, livestock farming and forest management become more difficult to sustain.
Protecting biodiversity and restoring degraded ecosystems are therefore two key measures for halting desertification and strengthening the ability of territories to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
In the face of advancing desertification, the concept of resilience is becoming increasingly important. Resilient territories are those capable of adapting to phenomena such as droughts, conserving their natural resources and maintaining their economic activity despite the impacts of climate change. Strengthening this adaptive capacity requires combining ecosystem restoration, sustainable water management and measures that reduce the vulnerability of communities and territories.
How can desertification be combatted?
Tackling desertification requires action on the causes behind soil degradation while also restoring ecosystems that have already been affected. This requires a combination of environmental measures, sustainable management of natural resources and actions aimed at mitigating climate change.
Nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions help restore the functioning of ecosystems and protect soil from erosion and loss of fertility. Key measures include restoring degraded ecosystems, reforesting with suitable species, restoring wetlands and conserving soils by maintaining vegetation cover. These actions promote biodiversity, improve water retention and increase the ability of territories to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Sustainable water management
Efficient water use is essential for combating desertification, especially in areas most vulnerable to drought. Modernising irrigation systems, reusing water where possible and applying precision agriculture technologies help optimise water resources, reduce consumption and preserve aquifers without compromising agricultural activity.
Energy transition
The energy transition also plays an important role in the fight against desertification. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through electrification and the development of renewable energy helps mitigate climate change, one of the factors contributing to soil degradation and the intensification of phenomena such as droughts and heatwaves.
Technology to monitor land degradation
Technological innovation is playing an increasingly important role in the fight against desertification. Tools such as satellite observation, remote sensing, environmental sensors, artificial intelligence and climate data analysis make it possible to identify areas at risk, monitor soil evolution and assess the effectiveness of restoration measures. These technologies help anticipate problems, optimise natural resource management and improve decision-making.
What can citizens do?
Although tackling desertification requires the involvement of governments, companies and international organisations, individual actions can also help protect soils and ecosystems. Some measures that help reduce this problem include:
- Using water responsibly and avoiding waste.
- Consuming products obtained through sustainable agricultural and forestry practices.
- Protecting natural areas and respecting native vegetation.
- Taking part in environmental restoration and reforestation initiatives.
- Reducing waste and promoting the circular economy through responsible consumption and recycling.
- Learning about and raising awareness of the importance of conserving soils, biodiversity and natural resources.
The combined impact of these actions helps conserve ecosystems and increase the ability of territories to withstand the effects of climate change.
Economic impact of desertification
Desertification not only poses a threat to ecosystems, but also to economic activity and social development. Soil degradation reduces productivity and directly affects sectors that depend on natural resources, such as agriculture, livestock farming and forestry. As a result, crop yields decline, fewer resources become available for livestock and the costs associated with food production increase.
In addition, the loss of fertile soil can threaten the livelihoods of millions of people, particularly in the most vulnerable rural areas. Lower agricultural productivity can lead to reduced incomes, increased poverty and greater dependence on external aid or food imports.
The economic impacts also extend to other areas. Water scarcity resulting from ecosystem degradation requires increasingly large investments in supply, storage and treatment infrastructure. Likewise, restoring degraded land, recovering forests and adapting to extreme climate events require significant financial resources from public administrations, companies and local communities.
In the long term, desertification can affect the economic stability of entire regions by increasing pressure on natural resources, driving population displacement and limiting opportunities for sustainable development. Preventing desertification and restoring degraded ecosystems therefore not only generates environmental benefits, but also represents a strategic investment in the economy and the wellbeing of societies.
Iberdrola's fight against desertification
Iberdrola is committed to sustainability and the fight against desertification. Through its Trees programme, the company helped plant 3.4 M trees in seven countries between 2020 and 2023. The goal is to plant 20 M trees by 2030, which will capture approximately 6 M tonnes of CO₂ in 30 years.