ABSTRACT
Desertification is a dynamic process which physically and biological degrades ecosystems, sometimes irreversibly, and causes social, economic and political consequences. A growing world population is endangering the ecosystem's productive capacity as indicated by the relentless spread of desertification. Desertification problems may also arise from other soil uses, such as national parks, ecological reserves, roads, mineral exploitation and human settlements. All the land-use systems require the availability of certain inputs in order to improve productivity and prevent the development of desertification. The world strategy to prevent and fight against desertification is contained in the plan adopted at the World Conference on Desertification which took place in Nairobi, Kenya in 1977, and was organized by the United Nations Environmental Programme. Desertification is a phenomenon promoted by man and caused by exceeding the potential limits of desertification which exist for the various land-uses. During the Nairobi conference, short and long-term principles and measures were established for the prevention of and fight against desertification.
