IMPACT OF DESERTIFICATION ON TEMPERATURE TRENDS IN THE MIDDLE-EAST

The intense interest in desertification and climate change has stimula ted detailed studies of temperature records in many areas of the world . In this investigation, the temperature records from the Middle East region are analyzed over the period 1950-1990. Results reveal a linear , statistically significant temperature increase of 0.07 degrees C/dec ade over the 41-year period. An analysis of spatial controls on these temperature changes reveals a warming effect associated with both over grazing and the degree of human-induced desertification. The results o f this study are consistent with theoretical and empirical studies pre dicting and demonstrating a warming signal associated with these land surface changes in the world's dryland areas.