The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) revealed a truly alarming fact: half of the Earth’s land surface is close to becoming an uncultivable desert.
What does this mean? It means that the planet is undergoing a process of desertification, which is the land degradation that causes the loss of biological and economic productivity, turning it into a desert. In fact, 40% of the world’s lands are already degraded, according to the UNCCD.
While climate change, overgrazing, deforestation, urban expansion, and unsustainable agricultural practices are key factors for this to happen, we must not forget about droughts. This phenomenon is responsible for the global ecological crisis, along with extreme heat, which causes water scarcity and leads to soil degradation and the loss of crops and vegetation.
In connection with this phenomenon, it is projected that 2024 will be the hottest year ever recorded, and drought is expected to affect 75% of the world’s population by 2050, according to a study published by the UN. This is because water scarcity only exacerbates the impacts of deforestation, and the decrease in the number of trees implies fewer roots that anchor the soil, preventing erosion.
 Each time more areas are affected by desertification.
Why should we be concerned about desertification?
Both desertification and land degradation, affect the planet’s ability to “sustain environmental and human well-being”, according to the UNCCD report. This is because degraded land loses its capacity to sustain different ecosystems, help regulate the climate, and reduces the production of essential nutrients for life on the planet.
This is why healthy land represents food security and a sustainable agricultural system.
What can be done to halt desertification?
According to the director of the ecosystems division of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Susan Gardner, one of the most efficient ways to halt desertification is through soil restoration and sustainable grazing management that is “nature-positive.”
Additionally, the conservation of “watersheds” that collect water must be taken into account. In fact, the UN World Food Programme worked on improving water resilience in regions like Mauritania and Niger in West Africa through the construction of “half-moons” that retain rainwater. These ponds help soils retain water for longer periods and maintain vegetation. Furthermore, their construction is practical and economical for the local population.
However, in some places, more extreme measures were taken to stop desert expansion. In 2007, the Sahel region in Africa implemented “The Great Green Wall,” a barrier against desertification that included tree planting, grasslands, and vegetation. A similar initiative was taken in China, where reducing overgrazing among Mongolian herders was included, protecting around 850,000 hectares of the southern Gobi region, considered a biodiversity corridor.
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