Desertification – The process by which land becomes drier and degraded as a result of climate change, human activities, or both

To remember the meaning of the term Desertification, use the following mnemonic:

Here is a desert certificate (desertification) to say well done, you have changed this into a desert. It's now drier and degraded land.

The principal cause of desertification is overgrazing. Other significant causes include urbanisation, climate change, overuse of groundwater, deforestation, natural hazards and tillage practices in agriculture that make soils more vulnerable to wind.

Desertification happens on all continents except Antarctica and affects the livelihoods of millions of people, including a large proportion of the world's poorest.