Spanish word

desertización

Pronunciation

IPA/deseɾtiθaˈθjon/

Meaning

  • feminine noundesertification

Example

¿Cómo podemos detener la desertización de estas tierras?

How can we stop the desertification of these lands?

Illustration for desertización (desertification)

More examples

Las sequías prolongadas son una de las principales causas de la desertización.

Prolonged droughts are one of the main causes of desertification.

Core concept

Gradual loss of vegetation until only barren, cracked soil remains.

Common phrases

  • causas de la desertización

    causes of desertification

  • efectos de la desertización

    effects of desertification

Similar words

desertificación: Dryland degradation where plant cover is lost and soil becomes desertlike, often due to misuse.
sequía: A prolonged period with little or no rain, producing acute water shortages.
deforestación: Trees and forest cover are cut down on a large scale, exposing the land.
erosión: Topsoil is carried off by water or wind, gradually stripping the land surface.

Definition in Spanish

Proceso por el cual tierras con vegetación o cultivo se vuelven áridas y pierden su cubierta vegetal debido a sequía, erosión o actividades humanas.

Word origin

Derived from the noun desierto plus the derivational suffix -ización, which creates nouns for processes of change, here the change toward desert conditions.

Usage tips

  • In discussions, specifying causes (overgrazing, drought, erosion) and remedies (reforestation, soil conservation) clarifies statements about desertización.

Opposites

Related words

  • desertificacióndesertificationnoun
  • desertizadodesertifiedadjective

Word lists with this word