Kone A. auteur aut IRD Fontaine A. auteur aut IRD El Yacoubi S. auteur aut IRD Loireau Maud auteur aut IRD Jangorzo S. N. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng Based on coupling a continuous cellular automaton with the MEDALUS model enhanced by anthropogenic factors, DESERTICAS is specially designed to model and simulate the evolution of land degra-dation over time and space. One of the interests of this modelling is to associate rehabilitation and restoration actions through a factor, called the predominant factor, which has an overall impact on the system. The study carried out in this paper aims at extracting this prevailing fac-tor among those already involved in the desertification phenomenon through the DESERTICAS software. The comparative analysis of the effects of the different desertification factors highlights the predom-inance of man-made management in the modelling carried out. Act-ing positively on the management factor means acting indirectly on the other desertification factors in order to interrupt the sources of degrada-tion and slow down or stop land desertification. specialized Cellular automata MEDALUS desertification sensitivity index desertification software land degradation predominant factor 16 5-6 423-442 2022 1557-5969 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00025585 1557-5969 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00025585 IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2023-03-08 2023-03-08 PAR00025585 fre