Land Degradation
Definitions:
Land degradation: The many processes that drive the decline or loss in biodiversity, ecosystem functions or
their benefits to people and include the degradation of all terrestrial ecosystems.
Habitat loss is due to overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasions.
What is IPBES?
An independent intergovernmental body used to strengthen the science-policy interface for ecosystem
services for sustainable use of biodiversity.
It can be seen that mammals
are largely responsible for
biodiversity loss due to
overexploitation whereas
amphibians are responsible
due to the increase in
invasive species and diseases.
It can also be seen that the
biggest reason for
biodiversity loss is habitat
loss.
Land use
As land use intensity increases, species populations
decrease. For all types of organisms this is true.
, ISV – intermediate 2ndary vegetation
MSV – mature 2ndary vegetation
YSV – young 2ndary vegetation
HPD – Human population density
PR – proximity to roads
ACC – accessibility to humans
Drivers of land degradation
Definition (from IPBES)
Restoration – an intentional activity to initiate/ accelerate the recovery of an ecosystem.
Rehabilitation – restoration activities that may fall short of fully restoring the biotic community to its pre-
degradation state.
Important takeaways:
1. Degradation is happening everywhere in many forms:
(-) consequences for humans & biodiversity (loss of resources, loss of culture, economic
inequality)
Cost-effective to prevent further damage than invest in restoration.
To meet sustainable development goals, need to stop and reverse degradation
2. Urgent & concerted action needed
Main problem is lack of awareness:
i. Consumption choices (distance between consumers and producers)
Degradation mainly driven by high levels (and rising) of consumption in the developed world
i. Landless livestock production (expansion of crops)
ii. Off-site impacts
iii. Waste
Population growth
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