.....
"Unsustainable land use may lead to the soil becoming degraded. If this happens in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions, such as Spain, this degradation is known as desertification, and the effects can be irreversible, because they lead to areas becoming totally unproductive," says Montserrat N and #65533;nez, who led the study at the Institute of Agro Food Research and Technology (IRTA), Spain.
The eight natural areas at risk are coastal areas, the Prairies, the Mediterranean region, the savannah, the temperate Steppes, the temperate deserts, tropical and subtropical Steppes, and the tropical and subtropical deserts.
"The greatest risk of desertification is in the subtropical desert regions - North Africa, the countries of the Middle East, Australia, South West China and the western edge of South America," explains N and #65533;nez.
These are followed by areas such as the Mediterranean and the tropical and subtropical Steppes. Coastal areas and the Prairies are at a lower risk of desertification.
N and #65533;nez collaborated with scientists from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the National Technological University in Mendoza, Argentina.
His methodology will provide an assessment that will make it possible to measure "the desertification potential caused by any human activity," adds N and #65533;nez, according to a release.
The research was published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.
--IANS
Your Yearly Horoscope for 2011:
Pisces
Aquarius
Capricon
Sagittarius
Scorpio
Libra
Virgo
Leo
Cancer
Gemini
Taurus
Aries
TOP READ ARTICLES:
Convicted stalker of Madonna, Halle Berry on run
'Bulimic' Gaga spent most of her high school days throwing up
'The Rock' plans switch to politics when 'time is right'
Sir Paul Mccartney gets star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Tim Vine bags funniest joke award for 'Conjunctivitis.com'
Madonna may duet with Britney Spears again
Tess Daly roots for funnyman Alan Carr to judge 'Strictly'
Adele doesn't want to be 'skinny mini with my tits out'
Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek started hating each other on promo tour
Cheryl Cole seen with ex-boyfriend in LA
Gwyneth Paltrow gifts Beyonce top stroller for baby
Vanessa Hudgens stayed in homeless shelter to prepare for role
Daniel Radcliffe returned cash prize from 'Potter' quiz
Christina Aguilera says 'it's time' to meet estranged father
Halle Berry goes house hunting in Malibu