Land degradation: issues and challenges

Eswaran H., . and Beinroth F.H., . (1998) Land degradation: issues and challenges. [Proceedings Paper]

Land degradation either natural or induce by humans has become an important concern affecting the wealth of nations food security or is impacting the livelihood of almost every person on this earth. The need to address land degradation comes from the alternatives which are not always desirable. We have a moral obligation to ensure intergenerational equity to contribute to food security and to help assure a better quality of life for all humans in addition to maintaining all the other functions of land. This paper advocates the need not only for an ecosystem-based approach but also and ecosystem-based assistance program to be practiced by all nations. It also advocates a participatory approach to implementing ecosystem management. In the past too many decisions have been made as political decisions. A new Agenda requires a strong science-based approach a good understanding of land conditions and the consequences of management and that reaches out to all the stakeholders. Assessment monitoring and the use of reliable cost-effective indicators are essential. To realize this new agenda it is necessary to mobilize the scientific community to mount an integrated program to address land degradation develop appropriate models that enhance our capabilities in land management and land use planning collaborate in developing information systems that link agriculture to environment help develop policies that encourage sustainable land management develop economic instruments to asses impacts of land degradation and rally the international community to collaborate in working towards reducing land degradation.

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Abstract

Land degradation either natural or induce by humans has become an important concern affecting the wealth of nations food security or is impacting the livelihood of almost every person on this earth. The need to address land degradation comes from the alternatives which are not always desirable. We have a moral obligation to ensure intergenerational equity to contribute to food security and to help assure a better quality of life for all humans in addition to maintaining all the other functions of land. This paper advocates the need not only for an ecosystem-based approach but also and ecosystem-based assistance program to be practiced by all nations. It also advocates a participatory approach to implementing ecosystem management. In the past too many decisions have been made as political decisions. A new Agenda requires a strong science-based approach a good understanding of land conditions and the consequences of management and that reaches out to all the stakeholders. Assessment monitoring and the use of reliable cost-effective indicators are essential. To realize this new agenda it is necessary to mobilize the scientific community to mount an integrated program to address land degradation develop appropriate models that enhance our capabilities in land management and land use planning collaborate in developing information systems that link agriculture to environment help develop policies that encourage sustainable land management develop economic instruments to asses impacts of land degradation and rally the international community to collaborate in working towards reducing land degradation.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Summary En
AGROVOC Term:	ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
AGROVOC Term:	LAND PRODUCTIVITY
AGROVOC Term:	LAND USE
AGROVOC Term:	SOIL RESOURCES
AGROVOC Term:	ECOSYSTEMS
AGROVOC Term:	LAND MANAGEMENT
AGROVOC Term:	NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES
AGROVOC Term:	UNCED
AGROVOC Term:	UNEP
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16216

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