Overview

Desertification and land degradation are complex phenomena, and we need to understand their causes, consequences, and means to mitigate and combat their impact. Therefore, this book aims to explain the concept and characteristics of drylands, desert and desertification, land degradation, wastelands, and the concept of ecosystem services. It also discusses various types of processes of land degradations, their characteristics, physics and indicators along with mapping, monitoring and assessment of methods involved. Concept of Ocean Biological Deserts is discussed along with international and regional efforts towards combating land degradation and desertification. Key Features: • Provides all the aspect of desertification and land degradation at one place • Includes comprehensive methods to monitor different desertification/land degradation processes • Comprehensive overview of the mapping, monitoring and modelling techniques • Role of space borne data in identifying, monitoring and combating desertification is evaluated and reported with real case studies • Explains the concept of ocean biological deserts, their characteristics and mapping

Full Product Details

9780815361725

Table of Contents

Reviews

"One of the most precious resources we have is land. It is limited in its extent and it has to meet multiple competing and conflicting demands; as a result, there is continuous degradation of this critical resource. The book ""Desertification and Land Degradation Concepts to Combating"" addresses this situation in an excellent and comprehensive manner. The book is organized under thirteen major heads, which cover all aspects from a historical perspective — through Causes, Drivers, Processes, Impact, Remote Sensing Techniques, Vulnerability Assessment, and Combating Strategies. Notably, the issues of desertification and land degradation are not something new. These processes have been going on since ancient times but the rising population and consequent pressures on land have now accelerated the problem. The book clearly brings out the various causes and drivers — natural, anthropogenic, and administrative, which contribute to these processes. The processes are dealt with in detail. Their impact on the natural environment and on society is well covered. This includes a very interesting chapter on Ocean Biological Deserts, which may initially appear to be out of place in a book on land degradation. However, oceans are a source of food for coastal communities, and human activities on land are known to have destroyed ocean resources leading to a desertification effect on oceans and seas as well. The book proceeds beyond this and covers the indicators that signify in advance the possible onset or extension of land degradation. This is very important because these indicators must be detected through mapping and monitoring, using various techniques such as remote sensing. These techniques are further used to assess the vulnerability of natural features and communities, which then leads to the evolution of combating strategies. Here, several case studies from all over the world have been given as examples. The book concludes with a chapter on international initiatives and the move towards Land Degradation Neutrality. This is important because degradation transcends national boundaries. Overall, the book is an excellent exposition of the issues and their possible amelioration. It should be essential reading for all those working towards a sustainable future. Arup Dasgupta Geospatial World - July August 2022 Issue"

One of the most precious resources we have is land. It is limited in its extent and it has to meet multiple competing and conflicting demands; as a result, there is continuous degradation of this critical resource. The book Desertification and Land Degradation Concepts to Combating addresses this situation in an excellent and comprehensive manner. The book is organized under thirteen major heads, which cover all aspects from a historical perspective - through Causes, Drivers, Processes, Impact, Remote Sensing Techniques, Vulnerability Assessment, and Combating Strategies. Notably, the issues of desertification and land degradation are not something new. These processes have been going on since ancient times but the rising population and consequent pressures on land have now accelerated the problem. The book clearly brings out the various causes and drivers - natural, anthropogenic, and administrative, which contribute to these processes. The processes are dealt with in detail. Their impact on the natural environment and on society is well covered. This includes a very interesting chapter on Ocean Biological Deserts, which may initially appear to be out of place in a book on land degradation. However, oceans are a source of food for coastal communities, and human activities on land are known to have destroyed ocean resources leading to a desertification effect on oceans and seas as well. The book proceeds beyond this and covers the indicators that signify in advance the possible onset or extension of land degradation. This is very important because these indicators must be detected through mapping and monitoring, using various techniques such as remote sensing. These techniques are further used to assess the vulnerability of natural features and communities, which then leads to the evolution of combating strategies. Here, several case studies from all over the world have been given as examples. The book concludes with a chapter on international initiatives and the move towards Land Degradation Neutrality. This is important because degradation transcends national boundaries. Overall, the book is an excellent exposition of the issues and their possible amelioration. It should be essential reading for all those working towards a sustainable future. Arup Dasgupta Geospatial World - July August 2022 Issue

"One of the most precious resources we have is land. It is limited in its extent and it has to meet multiple competing and conflicting demands; as a result, there is continuous degradation of this critical resource. The book ""Desertification and Land Degradation Concepts to Combating"" addresses this situation in an excellent and comprehensive manner. It is an excellent exposition of the issues and their possible amelioration. It should be essential reading for all those working towards a sustainable future. Arup Dasgupta Geospatial World - July August 2022 Issue This book builds up the subject of desertification and land degradation in a coherent way, encompassing the fundamental concepts and combating strategies. This book could become a ‘go-to’ book for graduate students, researchers, and professionals working in mapping, monitoring, and combating desertification and land degradation. Pandi Zdruli, International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy Land (MDPI Journal), 13, 2024"

Author Information

Prof Ajai started his career in 1978 at Space Applications Centre of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and served it for 42 years in various capacities including Group Director, Project Director, Program coordinator, Professor and Emeritus Scientist. At ISRO, he has developed and operationalized techniques, based on space data and geospatial technology, for inventory, monitoring and combating desertification and land degradation, as well as for watershed development and sustainable land management. He has led the national team which carried out the first ever land degradation and desertification status mapping of India. Prof Ajai is a Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, and recipient of several prestigious awards, including Bhaskara Award, William Dixon West Award, GEO-LDN Prize, and National Geomatics Award for Excellence. Dr Rimjhim Bhatnagar joined Space Applications centre, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 2004, where she has been pioneering work on the various aspects of land degradation and desertification, including regional and national level mapping, monitoring as well as development of models for desertification vulnerability assessment using space data and geospatial technology. She is a recipient of the prestigious Young Scientist award by the Indian Science Congress Association. Being passionate towards sustainable development, her research work focuses on developing cutting edge models and techniques in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

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