Overview

Written by specialist and regional contributors, this invaluablebook provides an integrated, up-to-date, geographical assessment ofland degradation in the world's Mediterranean regions. Land degradation is the alteration of the natural (or biophysical)environment by human actions, causing detrimental effects to thevegetation, soils, landforms, water and ecosystems. Part One ofthis book comprises a brief geography of the Mediterranean climateregions - the Mediterranean basin, California, central Chile, theSouthwest Cape and Southern Australia, providing a context forParts Two and Three. The second section discusses the nature,extent, history, causes and implications of land degradation in theregions. Major problems include soil, vegetation and waterdegradation, fire, drought, flooding and sedimentation. Historicaland contemporary human responses to these problems are alsoconsidered and at times become part of the problem. Solutions -actual and potential - are evaluated in the third section andinclude those dealing with animals, cultivation, horticulture,engineering-type practices, agroforestry, whole farm planning,integrated catchment management and regional planning. Throughout there is an emphasis on the distinctive nature of theMediterranean-type environments - especially the seasonally, hot,dry climates, the species-rich and highly inflammable vegetation,steep topography and coastal orientations - and the ways in whichthese environments interact with human populations with theircontrasting histories and cultures to result in a special set ofenvironmental problems and response.

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9780471963172

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. .. it is a valuable piece of work and we recommend it as a reference book for any institution's library. Environmental Conservation<br> <br> This is an impressive work of reference and will be much-used as debates about desertification and land degradation continue. There is much detail, mapping and compilation of statistical information. ... this is a splended item of co-operative scholarship and academic synthesis of a huge amount of information, which otherwise would be unavailable to students and development practitioners alike. Biodiversity and Conservation<br> <br> . . this book is a valuable source of material and worth its place in university and college libraries. Progress in Physical Geography

... it is a valuable piece of work and we recommend it as a reference book for any institutiona s library. Environmental Conservation This is an impressive work of reference and will be much--used as debates about desertification and land degradation continue. There is much detail, mapping and compilation of statistical information. ... this is a splended item of co--operative scholarship and academic synthesis of a huge amount of information, which otherwise would be unavailable to students and development practitioners alike. Biodiversity and Conservation .. this book is a valuable source of material and worth its place in university and college libraries. Progress in Physical Geography

. .. it is a valuable piece of work and we recommend it as a reference book for any institution's library. Environmental Conservation<br><br> This is an impressive work of reference and will be much-used as debates about desertification and land degradation continue. There is much detail, mapping and compilation of statistical information. ... this is a splended item of co-operative scholarship and academic synthesis of a huge amount of information, which otherwise would be unavailable to students and development practitioners alike. Biodiversity and Conservation<br><br>. . this book is a valuable source of material and worth its place in university and college libraries. Progress in Physical Geography

Author Information

Arthur J. ConacherUniversity of Western Australia, Australia and Maria Sala University of Barcelona, Spain

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