Man-made deserts
By: by W.C. Lowdermilk
Contributors: United States. Department of Agriculture
Series: Miscellaneous publication / Soil Conservation Service -- 4; Soil Conservation Service -- 4.
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service
Published: 1935
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Subjects: Deserts; Land use; Agriculture; Desertification
Description: The history of civilizations is a record of struggles against the progressive dessication of civilized lands. The more ancient the civilization, the drier and more wasted, usually, is the supporting country.

Two major factors are believed to account for the growth of man-made deserts. In the first place, semi-arid to semi-humid regions proved the most favorable sites for the early development of human culture. In the second place, processes of soil erosion are accelerated by the exposure of soil surfaces hitherto protected by complete mantles of vegetation, whether grass or forest, by heavy grazing and cultivation.
Notes: An article from "Pacific Affairs, Vol. VIII, No. 4, 1935."