Land cover changes in desert areas 1700, 1900, 2000 and 2050
The main land use change in desert areas has been the conversion of relatively barren dry lands for agricultural needs, partially through irrigation. The conversion has historically primarily been to use the land for grazing, but the 2050 scenario suggests that small areas on the fringes of deserts will be converted to cropland. The model otherwise predicts modest changes for 2050.
Year: 2006
From collection: Global Deserts Outlook
Cartographer: Hugo Ahlenius