What is the process by which fertile land becomes desert called?

Desertification is the process by which fertile land transforms into desert as a result of various factors, including climatic changes and human activities like overgrazing, deforestation, and poor agricultural practices. This phenomenon often leads to a significant degradation of the land, making it less productive and eventually barren. It is a critical environmental issue as it impacts biodiversity, food security, and the livelihoods of people who depend on these areas for sustenance.

Unlike deforestation, which specifically refers to the removal of trees, desertification encompasses a broader range of land degradation processes. Soil erosion involves the loss of the top layer of soil due to wind, water, or human activity, but it does not necessarily result in converting fertile land to desert. Salinization is the accumulation of salts in the soil, which can also harm agricultural productivity but is a different process from the broad concept of desertification. Thus, desertification specifically captures the transition from productive land to desert conditions, making it the correct term for this process.