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Desertification and Impact on Sustainability of Human Systems

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Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology

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Glossary

Adaptation:

Changes made by organisms, including humans, to enable them to be more suitable for different conditions or situations.

Desertification:

The gradual degradation of habitable land which affects soils, flora, and fauna and reduces productivity and an ecosystem’s ability to adapt. It is caused by various factors, including natural dynamics, climatic condition, and human activities. Direct causes of desertification include wind and water erosion, deforestation, overgrazing, land conversion to crop land, irrigation leading to salinization, and other physical stressors leading to soil loss, soil compaction, loss of vegetative cover, loss of biodiversity, and degradation in ecosystem productivity. Indirect causes include climate variation, poverty, political instability, lack of education, or a combination of factors.

Drought:

A period of reduced precipitation resulting in prolonged shortages in the water supply. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem,...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV, 89512-1095, USA

    David Mouat, Scott Thomas & Judith Lancaster

Authors
  1. David Mouat
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  2. Scott Thomas
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  3. Judith Lancaster
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Mouat .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ramtech Ltd., Larkspur, California, USA

    Robert A. Meyers

Section Editor information

  1. P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates, Inc., 1312 Indian Hills Circle, PO Box 2310, 35406, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

    James LaMoreaux Chairman

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Mouat, D., Thomas, S., Lancaster, J. (2018). Desertification and Impact on Sustainability of Human Systems. In: Meyers, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2493-6_268-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2493-6_268-3

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2493-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2493-6

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