In many parts of Mediterranean Europe there has been rapid change in land use, particularly during the last 40 years. Changes in technology have, especially in Spain, allowed an increase in intensive irrigated agriculture. Entry into the European Union has also brought entry to common agricultural policies, subsidies and changes to the types of crops produced.These are the principal issues which have been associated with desertification by the Focal Points of Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece, and by local stakeholders in the Alentejo, Guadalentín basin, Agri basin and the island of Lesvos.
Land abandonment
Increase in intensive irrigated farming
Overgrazing
Deforestation
Littoralisation (concentration of economic and social activity in coastal areas)
Inappropriate dry farming agricultural practices on marginally productive land
Changes in the economic activity in desertification-affected areas
Degradation of the physical environment (including soil erosion, salinisation, fire)
Changes in the availability of water resources
Changes in the social structure
Institutional organisation to combat desertificatio