O CONCEITO DE DESERTIFICAÇÃO

This paper approaches the desertification problem and the environmental degradation process that affects semi-arid regions and the marginal areas of great deserts, wich may occur from light to severe forms. The paper presents various proposed concepts, while evaluating the roles of nature and society in the triggering of this phenomenon. Key-words: Climate. Desertification. Aridity. Nature. Society.RESUMO O artigo aborda o problema da desertificação, processo de degradação ambiental que afeta as regiões semi-áridas e periferia dos grandes desertos, podendo manifestar-se desde formas brandas até muito severas. Apresenta os vários conceitos propostos, avaliando a papel na natureza e da sociedade no desencadeamento do fenômeno. Palavras-chaves: Clima. Desertificação. Aridez. Natureza. Sociedade. ABSTRACT This paper approaches the desertification problem and the environmental degradation process that affects semi-arid regions and the marginal areas of great deserts, wich may occur from light to severe forms. The paper presents various proposed concepts, while evaluating the roles of nature and society in the triggering of this phenomenon. Key-words: Climate. Desertification. Aridity. Nature. Society