The Mediterranean Region is one of the most vulnerable to desertification. Intense and long-lasting droughts, torrential rains that gradually destroy the topsoil, exposing the bedrock, and agricultural and livestock exploitation are making the effects of global warming acutely felt in this part of the world. Desertification is not only an ecological problem, but also has significant economic and social repercussions that directly affect local communities that depend on the land and its resources. For a deeper understanding, you can read about the desertification in Spain and its impact on the region.
What is desertification?
desertification It is a process of persistent soil degradation due to both climatic variations and human activity.This problem is intensifying with climate change, which exacerbates phenomena such as prolonged droughts and torrential rains, leading to crop failure and declining agricultural production.
Population growth also increases the demand for resources, which fuels deforestation, soil pollution, and the overexploitation of aquifers. The combination of these practices contributes to environmental degradation, which, in turn, affects the health and well-being of people living in these vulnerable areas. In southeastern Spain, the most affected provinces are Murcia, Almería, Alicante, and Albacete, where more than 50% of the territory already shows signs of desertification and up to 90% is at risk. According to UN data, 74% of Spanish territory could potentially be affected by desertification, posing a serious risk to the economy, food security, and population distribution in the future.
Can anything be done to prevent it?
Definitely. According to José Antonio Sánchez, representative of the Official College of Geologists in Murcia, several effective measures can be implemented to mitigate desertification. Some of the strategies include:
- Sustainable management of water resources: Coordinated land and resource management is essential to protect soil from erosion, salinization, and other forms of degradation. This involves efficient use of water for agriculture and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices such as those mentioned in conservation agriculture.
- Reforestation: Reforestation not only helps conserve soil, but also improves air quality and biodiversity in the region. Planting trees and restoring native vegetation can make a significant difference in restoring degraded land, a crucial aspect of climate change. desertification in southeastern Spain.
- Control of aquifer exploitation: It is necessary to monitor and control the exploitation of aquifers and ensure the quality of groundwater. This can be achieved through the implementation of more robust environmental policies.
- Education and awareness: Raising awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability in agriculture is crucial to ensuring that future generations understand the impact of their actions on the natural environment.
By implementing these measures, desertification can be curbed not only in Spain, but also in other parts of the world facing this same challenge. It is also important to consider how the climate change affects communities and its resources.
Impact of Desertification on Society
The effects of desertification can be seen not only in the increase in areas classified as desert, but also in the loss of forests and woodlands due to fires or deaths from drought. These landscape transformations not only affect biodiversity but also generate significant economic losses, especially in agriculture, where once-fertile lands can become infertile, affecting not only food production but also the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Some studies estimate that during the first two decades of the 24st century, approximately XNUMX billion tons of fertile soil were lost annually worldwide.
The phenomenon of badlands, which refers to soft, clayey soils that form ravines and lack vegetation, has spread to regions such as Murcia, where it is estimated that up to 25% of the territory has this geological classification. Soil erosion is one of the most important problems; during torrential rains, these areas become sources of sedimentation, affecting local rivers and reservoirs, as well as the quality of drinking water, an aspect that has been reflected in cases such as the Mansilla reservoir, which reveals how drought is a growing issue of concern.
Climate Change and Desertification
Climate change is a key factor in the spread of desertification. In southeastern Spain, projections indicate that we should expect a significant increase in temperatures and more irregular rainfall patterns, which will increase droughts and, consequently, make restoring vegetation more difficult.
Studies conducted by the CSIC's Experimental Station for Arid Zones have shown that the advance of desertification in regions such as Almería and Murcia has led to a considerable increase in the arid areas of these provinces. This increase in aridity not only affects agriculture but also biodiversity, as many animal and plant species depend on a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Extreme droughts have led to the extinction of species and increased the vulnerability of local ecosystems.
Restoration Initiatives and Projects
Despite the challenges, there are initiatives underway to reverse this process. Restoration projects like those promoted by the NGO Alvelal are working on reforestation and soil improvement in the most affected areas. Since 2014, this organization has collaborated with local farmers to implement sustainable agricultural practices and restore native vegetation.
One successful example is the reforestation program that has led to the planting of hundreds of thousands of trees and shrubs on degraded soils, which not only helps combat desertification but also improves air quality and promotes biodiversity. Such initiatives are crucial to ensuring that communities can adapt to a changing climate and continue to thrive. Furthermore, cooperation between scientists, farmers, and non-governmental organizations is vital to better understanding the processes that lead to desertification and developing effective strategies to mitigate its effects.
Government-level actions, such as implementing conservation policies and promoting sustainable agriculture, are essential to ensuring the future of lands threatened by desertification. Therefore, it is critical that both public and private entities join forces to address this systemic problem.