Grasslands in Central Asia are turning into deserts, especially in the latitude range of 43-48° N. By analyzing vegetation data from 2000 to 2014, researchers found that droughts are the main cause of this degradation. They identified two hotspots for desertification: one in southern Kazakhstan and another in northern Kazakhstan. The study suggests that understanding both state conversion and gradual changes within grasslands is crucial for combating desertification in the region.