砂漠化(さばくか)

砂漠化(さばくか) refers to the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically due to climate change, overgrazing, or deforestation. A key term in environmental discussions.

Forms

砂漠(さばく) (desert) + 化(か) (becoming, -ification). The ～化(か) suffix indicates a process of change: 温暖(おんだん)化(か) (warming), 都市(とし)化(か) (urbanization).

Common collocations

• 砂漠化(さばくか)が進(すす)む: desertification advances
• 砂漠化(さばくか)を防(ふせ)ぐ: to prevent desertification
• 砂漠化(さばくか)対策(たいさく): desertification countermeasures
• 砂漠化(さばくか)防止(ぼうし): prevention of desertification

Related words

• 砂漠(さばく): desert
• 干(かん)ばつ: drought
• 緑化(りょくか): greening, afforestation (the opposite process)
• 森林(しんりん)破壊(はかい): deforestation