The Mediterranean Region is one of the most vulnerable to desertification. The intense and long-lasting droughts, the torrential rains that gradually destroy the upper layer of the soil, exposing the bedrock, without forgetting agricultural and livestock farming, are causing the effects of global warming to be felt intensely in this part of the world.
The problem could worsen even more in the coming years, and may especially affect the Mar Menor region.
What is desertification?
desertification It is a process of persistent soil degradation as a consequence of climatic variations and human activity.. This is a problem that is spreading as global temperatures rise, which only makes the situation worse for the people who, in some way, profited from that land.
However, the human population grows, as well as the demand for housing, food, etc., so that deforestation, chemical contamination, the concentration of economic activity in coastal areas, industrial activities, tourism, plus everything what we have discussed at the beginning of the article are exerting enormous pressure on natural resources.
Can anything be done to prevent it?
Clearly. In the words of José Antonio Sánchez delegate of the Official College of Geologists in Murcia to Europa Press, one of the things that could be done is »coordinate the management of land and water resources to protect the soil from erosion, salinization and other forms of degradation, as well as protect the vegetation cover».
In addition, it proposes to monitor and control the exploitation processes of aquifers, the quality of groundwater, apart from reforestation to prevent soil erosion.
These measures could stop desertification, not only in Spain, but also in the rest of the world.