The larger Mediterranean Basin will have warmer and dryer climate conditions at the end of this century. Desertification in the Mediterranean region is largely due to poor land-use practices and land degradation. Hotter and drier conditions at the end of this century, however, will likely extend the desertification-prone areas northwards in the Mediterranean Basin to encompass areas currently not at risk. In addition, the rate of desertification would increase due to increases in erosion, salinization and forest fire hazard and reductions in soil quality. 

Source: Ozturk et al., 2015. International Journal of Climatology 35: 4276–4292.

Photo: the Italian voice (www.flickr.com)