Final answer:
Desertification is the most widespread environmental issue in Southwest Asia and North Africa.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most widespread environmental issue in Southwest Asia and North Africa, apart from salinization, is Desertification. Desertification refers to the process of land degradation in which dryland ecosystems become desert-like, losing their productivity and biodiversity.
This issue is particularly prominent in the region due to factors such as climate change, overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices. Desertification has significant implications for food security, water scarcity, and the displacement of populations.
Some examples of areas affected by desertification in the region include the Sahel belt in Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.