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

See Examples For:

aridification

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

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

And as aridification continues, there will be even less.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 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