So why do we invariably connect higher temperatures with droughts and desertification?(然而，為什么我們總是抓住溫度升高與干旱和荒漠化聯系不放呢？)

There is little doubt, however, that desertification in most areas results primarily from human activities rather than natural processes.(然而，幾乎毫無疑問，大多數地區的沙漠化主要是由于人類活動而不是自然過程造成的。)

The expansion of desert-like conditions into areas where they did not previously exist is called desertification.(沙漠化是指類似沙漠的生態環境擴張到原本并沒有沙漠的區域。)

During the dry periods that are common phenomena along the desert margins, the pressure on the land is often far in excess of its diminished capacity, and desertification results.(在沙漠邊緣地區常有的旱季，土地所受的壓力往往遠超其被削弱的承受能力，沙漠化因此發生。)

Land degradation and desertification can affect human health through complex pathways.(土地退化和荒漠化可通過復雜的途徑影響人類健康。)

A third of Africa is under threat of desertification.(三分之一的非洲大陸面臨著荒漠化的威脅。)

Q: What is desertification, and how does it impact health?(問：什么是荒漠化？如何對健康產生影響？)

There is perhaps no country in the world more at risk for desertification.(也許世界上沒有哪一個國家面臨如此大的沙漠化風險。)

But in places already prone to drought things will by and large get drier, sometimes to the point of desertification.(但在已趨于干旱的地區，大體來說，會變得更加干燥，有時甚至會導致荒漠化。)

Known or probable damage includes ocean acidification, loss of rain forests, degradation of ecosystems, and desertification.(已知或可能的損害包括海洋酸化、熱帶雨林消失、生態系統退化還有沙漠化。)