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Anthropogenic climate change has driven over 5 million km² of drylands towards desertification

Earth Sciences

Anthropogenic climate change has driven over 5 million km² of drylands towards desertification

A. L. Burrell, J. P. Evans, et al.

This groundbreaking study reveals that between 1982 and 2015, 6% of the world's drylands faced desertification linked to climate change and unsustainable land use. Despite a global increase in greenery, 12.6% of drylands were still degraded, impacting millions, particularly in developing countries. Research was conducted by A. L. Burrell, J. P. Evans, and M. G. De Kauwe.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
Drylands, covering 41% of the Earth's land surface and 45% of its agricultural land, are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic climate and land use changes, leading to desertification. This study is the first observation-based attribution study of desertification, considering climate change, climate variability, CO2 fertilization, and land use changes. Between 1982 and 2015, 6% of the world's drylands underwent desertification due to unsustainable land use compounded by anthropogenic climate change. Despite global greening, anthropogenic climate change degraded 12.6% (5.43 million km²) of drylands, affecting 213 million people, mostly in developing economies.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Jul 31, 2020
Authors
A. L. Burrell, J. P. Evans, M. G. De Kauwe
Tags
drylands
desertification
climate change
land use
CO2 fertilization
greening
vulnerability

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