- Definition
Desertification is when fertile land turns into desert, often because of long dry spells, cutting down too many trees, or farming in ways that harm the soil.
When forests are completely cut down and not replanted, the exposed soil can dry up and blow away, slowly turning the area into a desert.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Desertification is like a patch of grass turning bare and dusty because it’s been walked on too much and hasn’t had enough water.
Ask your child: What human actions might cause a healthy field to turn into a dry, dusty desert?
Common mix-up: Desertification is land degradation in dry areas. It can be linked to climate patterns and human activities, such as overgrazing or poor land management; it does not simply mean that a natural desert is spreading.
Examples
- Overgrazing by farm animals removes plants that hold soil together, leaving the land vulnerable to drying out.
- Improper farming practices that drain all the moisture from the soil can leave it unable to support crops.
desertification is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
