BusinessAugust 9, 2026
desertification
di-ZER-ti-fi-KAY-shun
Definition
The process by which fertile land becomes increasingly dry and unproductive, typically as a result of climate change, deforestation, or poor agricultural practices.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'desertus' meaning abandoned or waste, combined with the suffix '-fication' indicating the process of becoming. It entered English in the mid-20th century to describe the spreading of desert-like conditions.
In the news
The article uses the term to highlight environmental degradation in Pakistan, where changing land conditions threaten local ecosystems and livelihoods. Understanding this process is vital to grasping the country's broader environmental and economic challenges.
The Pakistan we often overlook
Read the full article ↗The Express Tribune