Geography
Why Desertification Feedbacks Are Accelerated by Overgrazing and Drought
Quick fact
Overgrazing and drought don't just strip away vegetation—they trigger a self-reinforcing feedback loop where the loss of plant cover exposes soil to erosion, reduces water retention, and even alters local rainfall patterns, making the land even more vulnerable to further degradation.
Why this is interesting
You've probably heard that overgrazing and drought cause deserts to spread. But did you know that once the land starts to degrade, the process can speed up on its own, like a snowball rolling downhill?