Desertification, Land Degradation and Sustainability

Desertification, Land Degradation and Sustainability offers a comprehensive overview of the subject and provides the reader with the concepts and principles necessary to understand the issues involved and develop appropriate responses.   This book tackles the issues surrounding desertification in a number of ways from differing scales (local to global), processes (physical to human), the relationship of desertification to current global development and management responses at varying levels.     Clearly structured throughout, the content of the book is organised across different scales; local, regional and global.   It also specifically explains processes linking top–down and bottom– up interactions and has a strong human component.   Focus is placed on the historical, cultural and physical context.   This book provides an authoritative and integrated synthesis of research in the field which will be an essential reference text for those students taking relevant courses within Geography and the Earth and Environmental Sciences.     A comprehensive, yet accessible book that synthesises, integrates and adequately applies the research undertaken during the last 15 years.   Includes numerous global case studies that provide an insight into the causes and effects of desertification and how different populations are responding to environmental change.   A unique approach that looks at different scales– from local, regional and global; processes– from physical to human; and the relationship of desertification to current global development.   Includes a key section on the links between desertification, globalization, climate change and biodiversity.   Includes discussion of the impact of global policies on desertification