Plant Life and Desertification

Abstract

There are numerous instances where, through injudicious use, Man has contributed to desertification of the agricultural environment by increasing the aridity and decreasing the ability of the soil to support vegetation. This may come through erosion, even in areas with very high rainfall (e.g. Amazonia). But in many arid regions dedesertification has occurred under the influence of Man (e.g. Imperial Valley in California, Hungry Desert in Uzbekistan, 90-Miles Desert in Australia).However, under certain conditions, such as those of fog-drip, an irreversible desertification can be caused by removal of the original vegetation (e.g. Central Chile).Dew may be an important source of water for plants even in deserts, where there is a shortage cf liquid water for plant growth.