- Desertification is a type of land degradation that transforms fertile land into a desert, causing the encroachment of sand from the desert into neighboring regions.
- The fertile soil is subsequently covered by sand, adversely impacting its fertility.
- This issue is notably severe in regions adjacent to the Thar Desert in Rajasthan.
IMPACT OF LAND DEGRADATION
Environmental Impact:
- Land degradation gives rise to various issues, including soil erosion, depletion of natural nutrients, water-logging, salinity, and contamination of ground and surface water.
- The utilization of scientific inputs such as irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, and unscientific cropping practices contributes to the loss of fertility.
- Soil erosion involves the detachment and removal of topsoil by water, ice, sea waves, or wind.
- Salinity and alkalinity occur in regions with temporary water surplus and high temperatures, often due to over-irrigation or excessive rainfall.
- The accumulation of salt adversely affects topsoil fertility, rendering extensive areas of once useful land infertile.
- Waterlogging occurs when the water table becomes saturated, driven by factors like over-irrigation, canal seepage, and inadequate drainage.
Potential Impacts on Human Health:
- The repercussions of land degradation extend to food production, livelihoods, and the generation of ecosystem goods and services.
- The heightened risks of malnutrition result from reduced food and water supplies.
- Water- and food-borne diseases are prevalent due to poor hygiene and insufficient access to clean water.
- Respiratory diseases may arise from atmospheric dust caused by wind erosion and other air pollutants.
- Additionally, the migration of populations may contribute to the spread of infectious diseases.
UNCCD- UN CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
- The UNCCD, part of the trio of Rio Conventions alongside the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), was established as a result of the call for negotiation in Agenda 21.
- This call was articulated in the program of action adopted during the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), commonly known as the Earth Summit.
- Formally adopted on 17 June 1994, the UNCCD came into force on 26 December 1996.
- It stands out as the sole legally binding international agreement that interconnects environmental concerns, development goals, and the promotion of sustainable land management.
- Notably, it is the only convention directly derived from the Agenda 21 of the Rio Conference.
- In recognition of the significance of combating desertification, the International Year of Deserts and Desertification was designated in 2006 to raise awareness and promote the objectives of the Convention.
Key Areas of Focus:
- The UNCCD specifically addresses arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions collectively referred to as drylands.
- These areas encompass some of the most fragile ecosystems and communities, making them particularly vulnerable to land degradation. T
- he Convention aims to foster global cooperation to combat desertification and mitigate its impacts, with a particular emphasis on the sustainable management of land resources in these dryland regions.
LAND DEGRADATION NEUTRALITY
- LDN, or Land Degradation Neutrality, is a straightforward yet potent concept aimed at ensuring an ample supply of healthy and productive natural resources.
- The core principle involves preventing degradation whenever possible and restoring lands that have already undergone degradation.
- At its essence, LDN is driven by the adoption of improved land management practices and more effective land-use planning.
- This approach seeks to enhance economic, social, and ecological sustainability, benefiting both current and future generations.
- The advantages of LDN extend significantly to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- The process of halting and reversing land degradation can turn the land from a source of greenhouse gas emissions into a carbon sink.
- This transformation involves increasing carbon stocks in soils and vegetation, contributing positively to climate-related goals.
- Moreover, LDN plays a pivotal role in building the resilience of rural communities against climate-related shocks.
- By safeguarding and enhancing the provision of essential ecosystem services, LDN contributes to the overall well-being and sustainability of these communities.
GLOBAL LAND OUTLOOK REPORT
- This publication serves as the flagship document of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and its first edition was unveiled in 2017 during the UNCCD COP13 in China.
- The report emphasizes the challenges faced by land systems, highlights policies and practices that drive transformative changes, and identifies cost-effective strategies for scaling up sustainable land and water management.
Highlights of the Report:
Importance of Land:
- Emphasizes that restoring land is crucial for addressing interconnected crises such as biodiversity loss and climate change.
Planetary Boundaries:
- Defines planetary boundaries as environmental thresholds setting a “safe operating space for humanity.”
- Nine planetary boundaries include biodiversity loss, land-use change, climate change, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, freshwater use, ocean acidification, chemical pollution, atmospheric loading, and ozone depletion.
Threats:
- Over 70% of the Earth’s land area has already been altered from its natural state by human activities.
- Climate change, biodiversity loss, land-use change, and geochemical cycles have exceeded the planetary boundaries.
Causes:
- Food systems, including agriculture, contribute to 80% of deforestation, 70% of freshwater use, and are a significant cause of terrestrial biodiversity loss.
- Land degradation, desertification, and drought pose risks to global food security.
Impact:
- Contributes significantly to global warming and environmental degradation.
- Leads to poverty, hunger, inequality, and zoonotic disease transmission.
Recommendations:
- Effective Land Restoration:
- Defines land restoration as a continuum of activities to avoid, reduce, and reverse land degradation.
- Involves eliminating practices degrading the environment, adopting sustainable land and water management, and revitalizing natural ecosystems.
- Estimates the global annual cost of land restoration at ~$300 billion by 2030.
- Each dollar invested is expected to yield between $7 and $30 in economic benefits, promoting an equitable and sustainable future.
FAQs: DESERTIFICATION – UNCCD, LDN
1-What is desertification?
A: Desertification is a form of land degradation that turns fertile land into a desert, leading to the encroachment of sand from deserts into neighboring regions.
2-How does desertification impact soil fertility?
A: Desertification covers fertile soil with sand, negatively affecting its fertility. This issue is particularly severe in regions adjacent to the Thar Desert in Rajasthan.
3-What are the environmental impacts of land degradation?
A: Land degradation results in issues like soil erosion, loss of natural nutrients, water-logging, salinity, and contamination of ground and surface water. It also involves the improper use of scientific inputs and unscientific cropping practices.
4-How does land degradation affect human health?
A: Land degradation contributes to reduced food and water supplies, leading to higher threats of malnutrition. It also increases the prevalence of water- and food-borne diseases and respiratory diseases from atmospheric dust.
5-How does the UNCCD connect environmental concerns and development goals?
A: The UNCCD is the only legally binding international agreement that interconnects environmental concerns, development goals, and the promotion of sustainable land management. It directly originated from the Rio Conference’s Agenda 21.
6-What areas does the UNCCD specifically target?
A: The UNCCD focuses on arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions collectively known as drylands, addressing the vulnerabilities of these ecosystems and communities to land degradation.
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