Reflections on the Phenomenon of Desertification and Its Influence on the Natural Ecosystems in Romania

The concern of humanity for prevention of degradation of agricultural land, dates fromancient times. Whatever the nature of the factors causing desertification of the land: natural oranthropic (man-made), the consequences of this phenomenon are the same: reducing the resilienceof land, decreased productivity of soil, destruction of vegetation and the threat on food production. In Romania there are over 400000 ha of land affected by desertification, the largest land areas areto be found in the southern part of Oltenia, Dobrogea, southern Moldavia and the West Plain. These arid areas, in the absence of coherent strategies and of appropriate measures to combat theevolution of this phenomenon, extend, at a rapid pace, thus recovery of the affected land requireslong periods of time, and a high expenses.