Is desertification a natural phenomenon?

Desertification is primarily regarded as a process driven by human activities, rather than being solely a natural phenomenon. While natural factors, such as climate change, droughts, and soil degradation can contribute to desertification, the significant acceleration and extent of desertification in many regions are largely attributed to human practices like deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable agricultural practices, and urbanization.

These human activities disturb the soil structure and reduce vegetation cover, which can exacerbate the effects of natural conditions. The interaction between these factors results in the transformation of fertile land into desert-like conditions. Therefore, understanding desertification as a consequence of human influence emphasizes the need for sustainable land management practices to combat this issue and restore affected ecosystems.