Final answer:
Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of Desertification
Desertification is a type of land degradation where a relatively dry land region becomes increasingly arid, typically losing its bodies of water as well as vegetation and wildlife. It is caused by a variety of factors, including climate change and human activities such as overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable farming practices. For example, as the Sahara Desert shifts southward, it affects the economies and lifestyles of millions of people. Similarly, destructive agricultural techniques like slash-and-burn agriculture lead to nutrient depletion in the soil, and over time, the land may become so degraded that it turns into desert. The process of desertification contributes to food scarcity, conflicts over land, and poverty, making it an urgent environmental and social issue.