What term describes formerly fertile land that has become barren due to environmental issues?

The term that describes formerly fertile land becoming barren due to environmental issues is desertification. This process typically occurs in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas as a result of various factors such as climate change, deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and improper land management. Desertification leads to the degradation of the land, reducing its productivity and biodiversity, and making it less capable of supporting plant and animal life.

In contrast, urbanization refers to the increasing population in urban areas, leading to the expansion of cities, which does not relate directly to land fertility. Deforestation involves the clearing of forests for various purposes, which can contribute to desertification but does not specifically denote land that has become barren. Salinization refers to the accumulation of salts in the soil, often as a result of irrigation practices, and while it can lead to reduced agricultural productivity, it describes a different process than desertification. Understanding these distinctions is essential for grasping the broader implications of land degradation and environmental sustainability.