Much of Spain’s territory is currently under the threat of desertification and climate change forecasts for the country indicate that these problems will generally become more widespread and intense, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. 
 
The organic carbon content is one of the essential components that determine natural land fertility. Organic carbon content is directly linked to climate change, as it falls as the temperature rises (a temperature rise of just 1ºC is known to produce an average 6-7% loss in the organic carbon content of the soil). This has a negative impact on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, whilst at the same time generating greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn further contribute to climate change.