78.9% of the dry zones in the country present some level of desertification mainly caused by erosion processes. Regarding the soil compacting, it is accurate to say that the 74% of the national territory is highly susceptible to this phenomenon which can be mostly seen through the inter-Andean valleys, the Caribbean and the Orinoquia region. There’s still no available and precise information about the intensity of the land degradation processes caused by contamination.

Regarding the erosion strength, 48% of the national territory is affected by this phenomenon; dry zones present 50% of the most dramatic erosion processes. Those zones include most of the lands in the Caribbean, the Meta, Arauca and Vichada grasslands and the inter-Andean valleys around Magdalena and Cauca rivers. On the other hand, soils which are susceptible to salinization cover 86.592 km2, and 90.39% of them are in dry zones. Those zones cover a huge percentage of the Caribbean zone, the inter-Andean valleys (Magdalena and Cauca rivers) and the plateaus where the intensive production takes place.

• La Unión municipality has an area of 94 km² with desertification, 77% from the total area. Draughts are about 35%.
• Villavieja municipality is one of the most arid zones in the whole country. There is a local organization that is working on recovery procedures for these desert zones. 

“ASORUT” - Asociación de Usuarios del Distrito de Adecuación de Tierras de los Municipios de Roldanillo, La Unión and Toro.