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The Arid Frontier pp 97–116Cite as

Bioclimatic Aridity, Climatic Variability, Drought and Desertification: Definitions and Management Options

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Part of the book series: The GeoJournal Library ((GEJL,volume 41))

Abstract

Biodimatic aridity is the principal constraint for habitation and development of arid regions. Moreover, climatic variability further increases the vulnerability of human activities in drylands, as rainfall variations are large and unpredictable from year to year, negatively affecting food and water security. When the rains fail, drought gradually develops as a natural part of climatic variability. Drought is the most ominous, natural dryland hazard, which can develop in a disaster. Desertification is defined (UNCED, 1992) as land degradation in drylands resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Social Studies Center, Sede Boker Campus, 84990, Israel

    Dr. Hendrik J. Bruins

  2. Wyler Laboratory for Arid Lands A. Katz Center for Desert Agrobiology Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker Campus, 84990, Israel

    Dr. Pedro R. Berliner

Authors
  1. Dr. Hendrik J. Bruins
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  2. Dr. Pedro R. Berliner
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Negev Center for Regional Development and Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, and Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva and Sede Boker Campus, Israel

    Hendrik J. Bruins

  2. Negev Center for Regional Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Harvey Lithwick

  3. School of Public Administration, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

    Harvey Lithwick

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Bruins, H.J., Berliner, P.R. (1998). Bioclimatic Aridity, Climatic Variability, Drought and Desertification: Definitions and Management Options. In: Bruins, H.J., Lithwick, H. (eds) The Arid Frontier. The GeoJournal Library, vol 41. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4888-7_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4888-7_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6049-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-4888-7

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