Desertification process and loss of Biological diversity in the Brazilian Semi-arid region

Abstract

The process of desertification is the degradation of land in the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions of the planet as a result of climatic characteristics and/or anthropogenic practices. This process of land degradation is caused as a result of human actions combined with natural and climatic features that intensify the severity of desertification. In general, the desertification process is caused by the exploitation of natural resources, inadequate land use practices for agricultural production and animal husbandry (overgrazing and excessive cultivation), combined with short-sighted regional development models without the planning and management of natural resources. Various factors contribute to desertification, including inadequate agricultural practices, deforestation, soil infertility and compaction, erosion and salinization. This paper discusses the loss of biodiversity in the Caatinga biome in areas affected by or developing desertification, as well as the environmental legislation that governs the preservation of environmental resources in Brazil. The results show that several species of fauna and flora are at serious risk from the environmental degradation of the Caatinga biome. It is important that public policies build knowledge about the environmental, social and economic importance of preserving the Caatinga in order to reverse the situation of degradation and contribute to preserving the remnants. The climatic characteristics of Brazil's semi-arid region, with high temperatures, short periods of rainfall and sparse vegetation, contribute to the process of soil degradation. These characteristics, together with the exploitation of human activities, greatly contribute to the areas of the Brazilian semi-arid region losing productivity or becoming unproductive. Other severe losses are to the biome's biodiversity, which affects everything from the soil to the vegetation and fauna.