'The information contained in this atlas must make it an essential reference point for all concerned with arid land problems whether in research or policy making' -- The geographical Journal 'by far the best illustrated source of information about the global extent and severity of desertification that has yet been published.' -- The Holocene'...a good summary of a large amount of data. ... The maps are clear and it is a useful reference text... with enough colour and sufficiently simple explanations to attract the attention of non-specialists.' -- Lund Degradation and RehabilitationThe World Atlas of Desertification summarises the state of scientific knowledge on the drylands of the globe. Representing in graphic form the current state of our understanding of desertification, as well as its extent and possible solutions, it contains an extraordinary amount of information of value to students and experts alike. It clearly shows that desertiflcation is one of the world's most pressing environmental problems, and that it is a truly global issue.Since the publication of the first edition in 1992, over 100 countries have ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertiflcation. This second edition reflects major advances in our understanding of desertification over the past few years and has been thoroughly revised and expanded to almost twice its original size. Because combating desertification involves all aspects of environmental issues, this edition covers a broader range of topics, including concerns surrounding poverty, biodiversity, climate change and the availability of water. Social and economic conditions also have a major impact on the progress and control of desertification and this edition contains the latest information on population movements, which result from, and lead to, desertification.Contents:
Introduction/Section One:
Global-Climate surfaces and designation of aridity zones/Climatic variability and change in drylandslSoil degradation/Soil degradation in drylandslSoil erosion/Soil deterioration/Causes of soil degradation/Soil degradation and vegetation.Section Two:
Africa-Introduction GLASOD/Soil degradation/Soil erosion/Soil deterioration/Causes for soil degradation and vegetation.Section Three:
South and Southeast Asia-Soil degradation: The ASSOD survey/Soil degradation/Water and wind erosion/Soil deterioration/Causes of soil degradation.Section Four:
Desertification Studies and Issues - Desertification assessment and mapping the Aral Sea Region/Population and desertification/Developing the capacity for national desertification assessments: a Kenyan study/Water erosion risk in Kenya: a survey using the SOTOR methodology/WOCAT: Regional example of Eastern and Southern Africa/Using digital mapping of water resources to support conflict resolution in the Middle East/Desertification and land use in Mediterranean Europe/Biological diversity in the susceptible drylands/Dryland plants and their use/Carbon sequestration in drylands/Saline soils in the drylands: extent of the problems and prospects for utlilization/The North American dust bowl and desertification: economic and environmental interactions/Poverty and degradation/Desertification and migration in Mexico/Integrated whole farm-whole landscape planning in Southwestern Australia! Cultural Tamarix shrubs in sandy and saline soils in Northwestern China using summer floods/Restoration and environmental protection.