Desertification, crop yield and economic development: a disaggregated analysis
This study uses a global grid-level dataset, integrating gross domestic product (GDP) per capita with crop yield and climate variables to examine the economic impact of climate-induced desertification. We use the aridity index (AI) to measure desertification and find that annual variations of soil a...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Regional Studies, Regional Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21681376.2025.2489518 |
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| Summary: | This study uses a global grid-level dataset, integrating gross domestic product (GDP) per capita with crop yield and climate variables to examine the economic impact of climate-induced desertification. We use the aridity index (AI) to measure desertification and find that annual variations of soil aridity have a more significant economic impact than precipitation and temperature when taken alone, with Africa experiencing the most significant effect. We identify the reduced agricultural yield as a potential channel behind the desertification-economic growth nexus. Finally, projections suggest that by 2040, desertification could reduce GDP per capita in sub-Saharan Africa by up to 10%. These findings underscore the need for policies to mitigate the economic impacts of climate-induced desertification in vulnerable regions, contributing to the broader understanding of how climatic conditions affect economic development. |
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| ISSN: | 2168-1376 |