These fragile zones have to sustain the habitats, crops and livestock of over a third of mankind, 90% of who live in developing countries. This is also the case of a third of the Mediterranean Sea’s European bank and 85% of pasture in the United States.
It is estimated that about 48 billion Euros are lost every year due to soil degradation.
Desertification is now threatening about a billion people. A third of the world's population could be affected in the future. By 2025, two thirds of farmable land in Africa, a third in Asia and a fifth in South America could disappear. In the United States and in Spain, a third of the country is headed for desertification.
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