Date of Award
5-1996
Degree Type
Report
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Wildland Resources
Committee Chair(s)
Michael J. Jenkins
Committee
Michael J. Jenkins
Abstract
Definitions of desertification have been numerous and the subject of hot debate. The definition proposed in 1991 by United Nations UNEP's Desertification Control/Programme Acting Centre (DC/PAC) was "land degradation in arid, semiarid and dry sub-humid areas resulting mainly from adverse human impact". This definition incorporates a number of processes which lead to the impoverishment of soils and vegetation, where human activity has been the main contributory factor. Examples include the loss of organic matter, increase in soil bulk density, decrease in infiltration, high levels of erosion, dunes formation, salinization, and compaction and displacement of top soil. The definition noted above acknowledges that adverse human impact is the primary cause of desertification, although such impact will be aggravated by the characteristics of dryland climates.
Recommended Citation
Bahddou, Youssef, "Land Degradation and Desertification in Arid and Semiarid Regions" (1996). All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023. 1326.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/1326
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