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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #333003
Title: Is desertification a dirty word?

Author
item Bestelmeyer, Brandon

Submitted to: Ecological Society of America Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/18/2016
Publication Date: 8/11/2016
Citation: Bestelmeyer, B.T. 2016. Is desertification a dirty word [abstract]? Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting 2016. August 7-12, 2016, Fort Lauderdale, FL. IGN 9-6.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Desertification refers to land degradation in drylands. The term is widely used in ecology and is the basis for a United Nations convention. At best, it is a vague term. At worst, it has been referred to as the “lie of the land” and a tool by which powerful actors disenfranchise less powerful ones. I argue that reference to specific state change processes can promote solutions. Desertification in reference to ecological processes should be stricken from scientific discourse. Nonetheless, like other dirty words, “desertification” draws attention to critical problems.