desertificar
1. to convert land into desert, typically through drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture
Overgrazing and climate change are desertifying vast areas of Africa.
O pastoreio excessivo e as mudanças climáticas estão desertificando vastas áreas da África.
2. to cause a region to become arid and barren
Poor farming practices have desertified the region over decades.
As práticas agrícolas inadequadas desertificaram a região ao longo de décadas.
The term 'desertify' is primarily used in scientific, environmental, and policy discussions in both Brazil and the USA. It has gained prominence with increased awareness of climate change and land degradation issues. In Brazil, desertification is a particularly pressing concern in the semi-arid Northeast region (sertão), making this term relevant to national environmental discourse.
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