past and current policy hasaffected arid environments and their populations. This text adequately applies the research undertaken during thelast 15 years on the topic. Desertification has become increasinglypoliticized and there is a need to present and explain the factsfrom a global perspective. This book tackles the issues surroundingdesertification in a number of ways from differing scales (local toglobal), processes (physical to human), the relationship ofdesertification to current global development and managementresponses at different scales. Desertification has beenmainstreamed and integrated into other areas of concern and hasconsequently been ignored as a cross cutting issue. The bookredresses this balance.Making use of much original data and information that has beenundertaken by many scientists andpractitioners during the lastdecade in different parts of the world, Desertification, LandDegradation and Sustainability is organised according to theprinciples of adaptive management and hierarchy theory and clearlyexplains desertification within a framework of evolving andinteracting physical and socio-economic systems. In addition toresearch data the book also draws from the National Action Plans ofdifferent countries, the IPCC Fourth Assessment on Climate Changeand the Millennium assessments.Clearly structured throughout, the content of the book isorganised at different scales; local, regional and global. It alsospecifically explains processes linking top-down and bottom- upinteractions and has a strong human component. The historical,cultural and physical context is also stressed.Clearly organised into the following distinct sections:a) Concepts and processesb) Datac) Impactsd) Responsese) Case studies.This text is essential for anyone studying desertification aspart of an earth and environmental science degree.

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