A Comprehensive Review of Modern Methods for Combating Desertification: Introducing Smart Desertification Control as the Most Effective Approach
Subject Areas : environmental economy
Hamzeh Saeidian
1
,
Kohzad Heidary
2
,
Mahmoud Najafi-Zilaei
3
,
Saeed Mehrjou
4
,
Mehdi Mohammadi-Moghadam
5
1 - Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Ahvaz. Iran.
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Ahvaz. Iran.
3 - Researcher, Department of Forest and Rangeland Research, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Ahvaz, Iran.
4 - Assistant Professor, Economic, Social and Extension Research Social and Economic, Social and Extension Research Department, Gilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran.
5 - Department of Agronomic and Horticultural Sciences Research, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Semnan Province (Shahroud), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Shahroud, Iran.
Keywords: Desert, Desertification Control, Modern and Smart Methods, Water and Soil Conservation,
Abstract :
This study introduces desertification as one of the most serious environmental challenges in Iran and worldwide, arising from the fragility of arid and semi-arid ecosystems and the pressures resulting from human activities. It causes soil erosion, reduced fertility, declining groundwater levels, loss of vegetation, and increased dust events, with far-reaching socioeconomic consequences including unemployment, poverty, migration, and reduced food security. Desertification is not driven solely by climatic factors; geological structure, water and soil quality, and inappropriate human interventions also intensify it. Population growth and rising demand for food and natural resources increase pressure on land and accelerate degradation, while climate change further aggravates these conditions. This study aimed to investigate and analyze various methods for combating desertification in Iran and worldwide and identified 21 effective approaches. The findings show that integrating traditional methods with modern approaches—particularly “smart desertification control”—can provide the most effective strategy. Technologies such as drones and robots offer substantial potential for monitoring, mapping, seed sowing, vegetation restoration, and management of affected areas. They improve operational accuracy and speed, enable access to difficult areas, and support targeted conservation programs. The study ultimately emphasizes that water and soil conservation in desert areas is of particular importance. Scientific and precise implementation of modern and traditional methods, tailored to the characteristics of each region, can slow desertification and help restore the natural value of these lands.
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