Israel has taken a leading role in fighting desertification throughout the world.

Relatively dry areas of land throughout the world are in danger of becoming increasingly arid until they lose their lakes and ponds and eventually their vegetation and wildlife in a process known as desertification

The world’s largest deserts were formed by natural processes like droughts, interacting over long intervals of time. Deserts have either grown or shrunk, independent of human activity.

Human factors also play a role, though, as tillage, overgrazing and deforestation have caused land to lose fertility.

Israel, which includes large swaths of desert, is leading the fight against desertification, whatever the cause. This short clip showcases some of the techniques employed by Israeli researchers to continue to make the desert bloom and create a greener and safer earth.