Chapter 19 - Desertification
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2023
Department/School
Geography and Geology
Publication Title
Biological and Environmental Hazards, Risks, and Disasters, 2nd ed.
Abstract
Desertification, simply defined, is land degradation in dryland environments. After over 40 years of international attention, the analysis of the causes and consequences of land degradation in dryland systems remains shrouded in the nuanced complexities of multiple interwoven variables (biophysical, anthropogenic, and climatic) working simultaneously to bring about change in these ecologically and socially vulnerable areas. In order to fully grasp the complexities of desertification, this chapter follows a fivefold approach. First, it provides a synthesis of the history and politicization of the term. Second, it establishes desertification's geospatial context. Third, it identifies the interrelated drivers of land degradation and their impacts, with special focus placed on North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Fourth, it outlines the current approaches to studying land degradation and desertification. Finally, it concludes by situating the desertification dynamic in the context of sustainability and poverty eradication.
Link to Published Version
Link to WorldCat Entry
Recommended Citation
Oswald, J., & Harris, S. (2023). Chapter 19—Desertification. In R. Sivanpillai & J. F. Shroder (Eds.), Biological and environmental hazards, risks, and disasters (2nd ed., pp. 369–393). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-820509-9.00023-X
Comments
J. Oswald is a faculty member in EMU's Department of Geography and Geology.