Combating land degradation: Global challenge, local solutions

Abstract

Land degradation is a critical global challenge that undermines food security and threatens ecosystem services and livelihoods. Driven by unsustainable land use practices, climate change, and natural phenomena, degradation manifests through soil erosion, fertility decline, salinization, acidification and desertification, with drylands regions particularly vulnerable. This review comprehensively analyzes the methods used to assess land degradation, highlighting regional disparities and critical hotspots. Effective mitigation strategies such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and soil and water conservation techniques are explored, emphasizing community-based and participatory approaches for combating land degradation. The significance of policy frameworks, including the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), is underscored in fostering sustainable management to address sustainable development goals (SDGs). Technological advancements, including GIS, remote sensing, and precision agriculture, are pivotal in enhancing monitoring, conservation planning, and management. Despite these advancements, challenges such as socio-economic constraints, climate variability, and policy implementation gaps remain. The paper advocates for integrated, multidisciplinary strategies that balance short-term actions with long-term sustainability to reverse degradation trends and promote ecosystem resilience, aligning with global sustainability goals.