Desertification In Africa

Abstract

The term desertification has been defined by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) as "land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areasthrough natural processes as well as human activities”. The natural factors are largely associated with climate variability especially droughts, while some human activities in the drylands is the major cause, especially in Africa. The drylands cover over 40% of the total land area of the world, and in Africa most areas may be arid and semi arid lands (ASALs).