aridification

American  

[uh-rid-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / əˌrɪd ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

Ecology.

1. the long-term process by which a humid region becomes increasingly dry, chiefly as an effect of climate change and often in combination with human interference with the ecology.

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Etymology

Origin of aridification

First recorded in 1900–05; arid + -i- + -fication

Example Sentences

This was driven by the aridification of the Nile basin, with the 'Green Sahara' of the African Humid Period transforming into the present-day hyper-arid Sahara Desert.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2024

“Investments in water recycling and reuse are key to stretching limited water supplies, making systems more resilient to the effects of aridification in the American West,” U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2024

Combined with aridification caused by climate change, the drying tunnels have prompted many members of Saadi’s community to move away from the mountains and into cities.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 19, 2023

“There might be additional resources that are needed to really solve this. I think most experts feel this is not just a drought — there is some level of aridification, desertification,” Mr. Hickenlooper said.

From Washington Times • Feb. 8, 2023

In California and other parts of the Western United States, increasing heat, drought and aridification are contributing to long-term drying of soils, which means there’s less water to be evaporated into the air, Bartusek explained.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2022