The Socio-Economic Causes and Consequences of Desertification in Central Asia

The Socio-Economic Causes and Consequences of Desertification in Central Asia

Author: Roy Behnke

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-07-24

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 1402085443

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This book contains a selection of papers presented at the Advanced Research Workshop on ‘The Socio-economic causes and consequences of desertification in Central Asia’ held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in June 2006. The meeting provided a forum for twenty-six scientists from Central Asia and NATO countries to discuss the human dimensions of the desertifi- tion process. Papers presented to the meeting examined recent scientific evidence on the impact of desertification on livestock production, public health, and biodiversity, and contributed to the formulation of coh- ent national and regional policies for the management of watersheds, rangelands, and irrigated agriculture. The meeting was co-directed by Roy Behnke of the Macaulay Institute, UK, and by Lapas Alibekov of the Samarkand State University, Uzbekistan. Both the workshop and this subsequent publication have been financed by the NATO Scientific Affairs Division and we gratefully acknowledge this support. The Bishkek meeting was ably hosted by the Kyrgyz Sheep Breeders Association under the dir- tion of Akylbek Rakaev who contributed substantially to the successful running of the workshop. Deliberations at the workshop emphasized that policy failures at national level had promoted desertification within the region.


Book Synopsis The Socio-Economic Causes and Consequences of Desertification in Central Asia by : Roy Behnke

Download or read book The Socio-Economic Causes and Consequences of Desertification in Central Asia written by Roy Behnke and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-07-24 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book contains a selection of papers presented at the Advanced Research Workshop on ‘The Socio-economic causes and consequences of desertification in Central Asia’ held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in June 2006. The meeting provided a forum for twenty-six scientists from Central Asia and NATO countries to discuss the human dimensions of the desertifi- tion process. Papers presented to the meeting examined recent scientific evidence on the impact of desertification on livestock production, public health, and biodiversity, and contributed to the formulation of coh- ent national and regional policies for the management of watersheds, rangelands, and irrigated agriculture. The meeting was co-directed by Roy Behnke of the Macaulay Institute, UK, and by Lapas Alibekov of the Samarkand State University, Uzbekistan. Both the workshop and this subsequent publication have been financed by the NATO Scientific Affairs Division and we gratefully acknowledge this support. The Bishkek meeting was ably hosted by the Kyrgyz Sheep Breeders Association under the dir- tion of Akylbek Rakaev who contributed substantially to the successful running of the workshop. Deliberations at the workshop emphasized that policy failures at national level had promoted desertification within the region.

Desert Problems and Desertification in Central Asia

Desert Problems and Desertification in Central Asia

Author: Agajan G. Babaev

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 402

ISBN-13: 3642601286

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Since 1962 the Desert Institute of the former Academy of Science of the USSR has been conducting research work in the arid and semi-arid zones of central Asia. This outstanding experience in desert and desertification problems, and the possibilities of sustainable land use under difficult environmental conditions is summarized here. The book also gives an overview of the Institute's consulting work within the framework of international projects. This is the first publication allowing readers outside the Russian-speaking world to obtain concise information about the specific constraints and development possibilities of central Asian drylands.


Book Synopsis Desert Problems and Desertification in Central Asia by : Agajan G. Babaev

Download or read book Desert Problems and Desertification in Central Asia written by Agajan G. Babaev and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 402 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since 1962 the Desert Institute of the former Academy of Science of the USSR has been conducting research work in the arid and semi-arid zones of central Asia. This outstanding experience in desert and desertification problems, and the possibilities of sustainable land use under difficult environmental conditions is summarized here. The book also gives an overview of the Institute's consulting work within the framework of international projects. This is the first publication allowing readers outside the Russian-speaking world to obtain concise information about the specific constraints and development possibilities of central Asian drylands.

Vegetation Degradation in Central Asia under the Impact of Human Activities

Vegetation Degradation in Central Asia under the Impact of Human Activities

Author: Nikolaĭ Gavrilovich Kharin

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2002-02-28

Total Pages: 190

ISBN-13: 9781402003974

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Yoque en el campo he nacido dig6 que mis cantos son para los unos sonidos, y para otros intencion. H. Hernandes - Martin Fierro. The period of active influence of the people on desert environments in Central Asia counts more than 2,000 years. It includes several stages of the social and the economic development of human society - from primitive culture of hunters to developed modern society with great changes of envi- ronment and "nature remaking".Heritage of the past is one of the main causes of land degradation in Central Asia.So, only historical analysis of relations between the man and the desertcould give infor- mation for awareness of desertification. What an idea have the people about the desert? In the mind of many people "desert" is identified with a sterile, lifeless and gloom land unsuitable for life. The mass media, specially the cinema sup- ports this idea. Very popular subject of many films is the death of travelers in the desert from thirst. Eventhe names of hot winds (the "gibly" inSahara, the "samum" inArabian desertand the "afganets" inCentral Asia) fill the minds of peoplewith horror. There are many legends about armies buried inthe sand, aboutflourishing oases and towns covered with sand drifts. Inthese legends the truth is mixed with fiction. But as known, "the truth isstronger than fiction".


Book Synopsis Vegetation Degradation in Central Asia under the Impact of Human Activities by : Nikolaĭ Gavrilovich Kharin

Download or read book Vegetation Degradation in Central Asia under the Impact of Human Activities written by Nikolaĭ Gavrilovich Kharin and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2002-02-28 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Yoque en el campo he nacido dig6 que mis cantos son para los unos sonidos, y para otros intencion. H. Hernandes - Martin Fierro. The period of active influence of the people on desert environments in Central Asia counts more than 2,000 years. It includes several stages of the social and the economic development of human society - from primitive culture of hunters to developed modern society with great changes of envi- ronment and "nature remaking".Heritage of the past is one of the main causes of land degradation in Central Asia.So, only historical analysis of relations between the man and the desertcould give infor- mation for awareness of desertification. What an idea have the people about the desert? In the mind of many people "desert" is identified with a sterile, lifeless and gloom land unsuitable for life. The mass media, specially the cinema sup- ports this idea. Very popular subject of many films is the death of travelers in the desert from thirst. Eventhe names of hot winds (the "gibly" inSahara, the "samum" inArabian desertand the "afganets" inCentral Asia) fill the minds of peoplewith horror. There are many legends about armies buried inthe sand, aboutflourishing oases and towns covered with sand drifts. Inthese legends the truth is mixed with fiction. But as known, "the truth isstronger than fiction".

Environmental Problems of Central Asia and their Economic, Social and Security Impacts

Environmental Problems of Central Asia and their Economic, Social and Security Impacts

Author: Jiaguo Qi

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-10-11

Total Pages: 420

ISBN-13: 1402089600

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Over the last 60 years, we have recognized increasingly that our world is connected, and the impacts of environmental catastrophes and economic crises in one region of our world have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences globally. Central Asia is a developing region with great potential, but there are valid concerns that current resource management practices are not sustainable, particularly with regard to the management of water resources. Recent changes in social structures, accompanied by regional climate change, have caused substantial environmental changes leading to security concerns in the region. As a result, the local economy has been significantly impacted to the extent that the potential for social unrest is of great concern. This book explores new technologies and adaptation strategies to mitigate these environmental problems and cope with continued environmental change with the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable growth and improved quality of life in the region.


Book Synopsis Environmental Problems of Central Asia and their Economic, Social and Security Impacts by : Jiaguo Qi

Download or read book Environmental Problems of Central Asia and their Economic, Social and Security Impacts written by Jiaguo Qi and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-10-11 with total page 420 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the last 60 years, we have recognized increasingly that our world is connected, and the impacts of environmental catastrophes and economic crises in one region of our world have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences globally. Central Asia is a developing region with great potential, but there are valid concerns that current resource management practices are not sustainable, particularly with regard to the management of water resources. Recent changes in social structures, accompanied by regional climate change, have caused substantial environmental changes leading to security concerns in the region. As a result, the local economy has been significantly impacted to the extent that the potential for social unrest is of great concern. This book explores new technologies and adaptation strategies to mitigate these environmental problems and cope with continued environmental change with the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable growth and improved quality of life in the region.

Sustainable Land Management in Greater Central Asia

Sustainable Land Management in Greater Central Asia

Author: Victor R. Squires

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-09-22

Total Pages: 310

ISBN-13: 1317394054

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Greater Central Asia encompasses a vast area that includes deserts, natural grasslands, steppes, shrublands and alpine regions. Many of these land types are degraded and productivity is falling at a time when human populations and livestock inventories are on the rise. Ecosystem stability and biodiversity are under threat and there is an urgent need to develop more sustainable land management regimes. This book uses an integrated regional approach to provide a comprehensive exploration of sustainable land development in Central Asia. An interdisciplinary team of experts analyses the economic, ecological, sociological, technological and political factors surrounding sustainable land and water management in the region, sharing potential problems and solutions. As international concern about desertification grows, the book concludes by asking how the region is likely to develop in the future. This book will be of value to scholars, students, policy makers and NGOs with an interest in sustainable development in Central Asia.


Book Synopsis Sustainable Land Management in Greater Central Asia by : Victor R. Squires

Download or read book Sustainable Land Management in Greater Central Asia written by Victor R. Squires and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-09-22 with total page 310 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Greater Central Asia encompasses a vast area that includes deserts, natural grasslands, steppes, shrublands and alpine regions. Many of these land types are degraded and productivity is falling at a time when human populations and livestock inventories are on the rise. Ecosystem stability and biodiversity are under threat and there is an urgent need to develop more sustainable land management regimes. This book uses an integrated regional approach to provide a comprehensive exploration of sustainable land development in Central Asia. An interdisciplinary team of experts analyses the economic, ecological, sociological, technological and political factors surrounding sustainable land and water management in the region, sharing potential problems and solutions. As international concern about desertification grows, the book concludes by asking how the region is likely to develop in the future. This book will be of value to scholars, students, policy makers and NGOs with an interest in sustainable development in Central Asia.

Aeolian Processes as Dust Storms in the Deserts of Central Asia and Kazakhstan

Aeolian Processes as Dust Storms in the Deserts of Central Asia and Kazakhstan

Author: Gulnura Issanova

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-01-09

Total Pages: 133

ISBN-13: 9811031908

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This book highlights the aeolian processes in the desert zone of Kazakhstan and Central Asian Deserts, and analyzes the current status of dust and sand storms in Central Asia and Kazakhstan. It also highlights the analyses, dynamics and long-term observations of storms on the basis of numerous cartographic materials and satellite images. Dust/sand storms are a common and important phenomenon in the arid and semi-arid regions of Kazakhstan and Central Asia as well,especially in its southern parts, where areas are covered by a great variety of deserts and offer a significant source of mineral and salt aerosols. The deserts of Kazakhstan mostly cover lowlands and extend from the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea to the piedmonts of the Tien-Shan Mountain. In Kazakhstan and Central Asia desertification processes due to wind erosion in the form of dust/sand storms were observed in semi-desert and desert landscapes.


Book Synopsis Aeolian Processes as Dust Storms in the Deserts of Central Asia and Kazakhstan by : Gulnura Issanova

Download or read book Aeolian Processes as Dust Storms in the Deserts of Central Asia and Kazakhstan written by Gulnura Issanova and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-01-09 with total page 133 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book highlights the aeolian processes in the desert zone of Kazakhstan and Central Asian Deserts, and analyzes the current status of dust and sand storms in Central Asia and Kazakhstan. It also highlights the analyses, dynamics and long-term observations of storms on the basis of numerous cartographic materials and satellite images. Dust/sand storms are a common and important phenomenon in the arid and semi-arid regions of Kazakhstan and Central Asia as well,especially in its southern parts, where areas are covered by a great variety of deserts and offer a significant source of mineral and salt aerosols. The deserts of Kazakhstan mostly cover lowlands and extend from the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea to the piedmonts of the Tien-Shan Mountain. In Kazakhstan and Central Asia desertification processes due to wind erosion in the form of dust/sand storms were observed in semi-desert and desert landscapes.

The End of Desertification?

The End of Desertification?

Author: Roy H. Behnke

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2016-04-12

Total Pages: 560

ISBN-13: 364216014X

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The question in the title of this book draws attention to the shortcomings of a concept that has become a political tool of global importance even as the scientific basis for its use grows weaker. The concept of desertification, it can be argued, has ceased to be analytically useful and distorts our understanding of social-environmental systems and their resiliency, particularly in poor countries with variable rainfall and persistent poverty. For better policy and governance, we need to reconsider the scientific justification for international attempts to combat desertification. Our exploration of these issues begins in the Sahel of West Africa, where a series of severe droughts at the end of the 20th century led to the global institutionalization of the idea of desertification. It now seems incontrovertible that these droughts were not caused primarily by local land use mismanagement, effectively terminating a long-standing policy and scientific debate. There is now an opportunity to treat this episode as an object lesson in the relationship between science, the formation of public opinion and international policy-making. Looking beyond the Sahel, the chapters in this book provide case studies from around the world that examine the use and relevance of the desertification concept. Despite an increasingly sophisticated understanding of dryland environments and societies, the uses now being made of the desertification concept in parts of Asia exhibit many of the shortcomings of earlier work done in Africa. It took scientists more than three decades to transform a perceived desertification crisis in the Sahel into a non-event. This book is an effort to critically examine that experience and accelerate the learning process in other parts of the world.


Book Synopsis The End of Desertification? by : Roy H. Behnke

Download or read book The End of Desertification? written by Roy H. Behnke and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-04-12 with total page 560 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The question in the title of this book draws attention to the shortcomings of a concept that has become a political tool of global importance even as the scientific basis for its use grows weaker. The concept of desertification, it can be argued, has ceased to be analytically useful and distorts our understanding of social-environmental systems and their resiliency, particularly in poor countries with variable rainfall and persistent poverty. For better policy and governance, we need to reconsider the scientific justification for international attempts to combat desertification. Our exploration of these issues begins in the Sahel of West Africa, where a series of severe droughts at the end of the 20th century led to the global institutionalization of the idea of desertification. It now seems incontrovertible that these droughts were not caused primarily by local land use mismanagement, effectively terminating a long-standing policy and scientific debate. There is now an opportunity to treat this episode as an object lesson in the relationship between science, the formation of public opinion and international policy-making. Looking beyond the Sahel, the chapters in this book provide case studies from around the world that examine the use and relevance of the desertification concept. Despite an increasingly sophisticated understanding of dryland environments and societies, the uses now being made of the desertification concept in parts of Asia exhibit many of the shortcomings of earlier work done in Africa. It took scientists more than three decades to transform a perceived desertification crisis in the Sahel into a non-event. This book is an effort to critically examine that experience and accelerate the learning process in other parts of the world.

Landscape Dynamics of Drylands across Greater Central Asia: People, Societies and Ecosystems

Landscape Dynamics of Drylands across Greater Central Asia: People, Societies and Ecosystems

Author: Garik Gutman

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-04-14

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13: 3030307425

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This volume is a compilation of studies on interactions of changes in land cover, land use and climate with people, societies and ecosystems in drylands of Greater Central Asia. It explores the effects of collapse of socialist governance and management systems on land use in various parts of Central Asia, including former Soviet Union republics, Mongolia and northern drylands of China. Often, regional land-atmosphere feedbacks may have large global importance. Remote sensing is a primary tool in studying vast dryland territories where in situ observations are sporadic. State-of-the-art methods of satellite remote sensing combined with GIS and models are used to tackle science questions and provide an outlook of current changes at land surface and potential scenarios for the future. In 10 chapters, contributing authors cover topics such as water resources, effects of institutional changes on urban centers and agriculture, landscape dynamics, and the primary drivers of environmental changes in dryland environment. Satellite observations that have accumulated during the last five decades provide a rich time series of the dynamic land surface, enabling systematic analysis of changes in land cover and land use from space. The book is a truly international effort by a team of scientists from the U.S., Europe and Central Asia. It is directed at the broad science community including graduate students, academics and other professionals at all levels within natural and social sciences. In particular, it will appeal to geographers, environmental and social scientists, economists, agricultural scientists, and remote sensing specialists.


Book Synopsis Landscape Dynamics of Drylands across Greater Central Asia: People, Societies and Ecosystems by : Garik Gutman

Download or read book Landscape Dynamics of Drylands across Greater Central Asia: People, Societies and Ecosystems written by Garik Gutman and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-04-14 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume is a compilation of studies on interactions of changes in land cover, land use and climate with people, societies and ecosystems in drylands of Greater Central Asia. It explores the effects of collapse of socialist governance and management systems on land use in various parts of Central Asia, including former Soviet Union republics, Mongolia and northern drylands of China. Often, regional land-atmosphere feedbacks may have large global importance. Remote sensing is a primary tool in studying vast dryland territories where in situ observations are sporadic. State-of-the-art methods of satellite remote sensing combined with GIS and models are used to tackle science questions and provide an outlook of current changes at land surface and potential scenarios for the future. In 10 chapters, contributing authors cover topics such as water resources, effects of institutional changes on urban centers and agriculture, landscape dynamics, and the primary drivers of environmental changes in dryland environment. Satellite observations that have accumulated during the last five decades provide a rich time series of the dynamic land surface, enabling systematic analysis of changes in land cover and land use from space. The book is a truly international effort by a team of scientists from the U.S., Europe and Central Asia. It is directed at the broad science community including graduate students, academics and other professionals at all levels within natural and social sciences. In particular, it will appeal to geographers, environmental and social scientists, economists, agricultural scientists, and remote sensing specialists.

Rangeland Stewardship in Central Asia

Rangeland Stewardship in Central Asia

Author: Victor R. Squires

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-11-27

Total Pages: 479

ISBN-13: 9400753675

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This volume of 18 chapters is the work of more than 30 authors, many of whom are natives of the Central Asian region or are researchers who have dedicated a large part of their working lives to studying the development dynamics in this vast and fascinating region. The work focuses on the 20 years since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990. But it also traces the attitudes of land users to the land dating from before the late 19th century, when Russian conquest and colonization occurred, and through the upheavals caused by Soviet-style collectivization and sedentarization. The book is rich with new data presented in 68 easy to understand charts/graphs (many in color) and 50 Tables. Information was generated for this book by experts working in-country. It presents for the first time in English a digest of plethora of previously inaccessible Russian reports and scientific literature that will be invaluable for development agencies, including UN, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Bank as well as to students of this vast and fascinating region who seek up to date and authoritive information.


Book Synopsis Rangeland Stewardship in Central Asia by : Victor R. Squires

Download or read book Rangeland Stewardship in Central Asia written by Victor R. Squires and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-11-27 with total page 479 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume of 18 chapters is the work of more than 30 authors, many of whom are natives of the Central Asian region or are researchers who have dedicated a large part of their working lives to studying the development dynamics in this vast and fascinating region. The work focuses on the 20 years since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990. But it also traces the attitudes of land users to the land dating from before the late 19th century, when Russian conquest and colonization occurred, and through the upheavals caused by Soviet-style collectivization and sedentarization. The book is rich with new data presented in 68 easy to understand charts/graphs (many in color) and 50 Tables. Information was generated for this book by experts working in-country. It presents for the first time in English a digest of plethora of previously inaccessible Russian reports and scientific literature that will be invaluable for development agencies, including UN, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Bank as well as to students of this vast and fascinating region who seek up to date and authoritive information.

Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement – A Global Assessment for Sustainable Development

Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement – A Global Assessment for Sustainable Development

Author: Ephraim Nkonya

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-11-11

Total Pages: 686

ISBN-13: 3319191683

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This volume deals with land degradation, which is occurring in almost all terrestrial biomes and agro-ecologies, in both low and high income countries and is stretching to about 30% of the total global land area. About three billion people reside in these degraded lands. However, the impact of land degradation is especially severe on livelihoods of the poor who heavily depend on natural resources. The annual global cost of land degradation due to land use and cover change (LUCC) and lower cropland and rangeland productivity is estimated to be about 300 billion USD. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounts for the largest share (22%) of the total global cost of land degradation. Only about 38% of the cost of land degradation due to LUCC - which accounts for 78% of the US$300 billion loss – is borne by land users and the remaining share (62%) is borne by consumers of ecosystem services off the farm. The results in this volume indicate that reversing land degradation trends makes both economic sense, and has multiple social and environmental benefits. On average, one US dollar investment into restoration of degraded land returns five US dollars. The findings of the country case studies call for increased investments into the rehabilitation and restoration of degraded lands, including through such institutional and policy measures as strengthening community participation for sustainable land management, enhancing government effectiveness and rule of law, improving access to markets and rural services, and securing land tenure. The assessment in this volume has been conducted at a time when there is an elevated interest in private land investments and when global efforts to achieve sustainable development objectives have intensified. In this regard, the results of this volume can contribute significantly to the ongoing policy debate and efforts to design strategies for achieving sustainable development goals and related efforts to address land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.


Book Synopsis Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement – A Global Assessment for Sustainable Development by : Ephraim Nkonya

Download or read book Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement – A Global Assessment for Sustainable Development written by Ephraim Nkonya and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-11-11 with total page 686 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume deals with land degradation, which is occurring in almost all terrestrial biomes and agro-ecologies, in both low and high income countries and is stretching to about 30% of the total global land area. About three billion people reside in these degraded lands. However, the impact of land degradation is especially severe on livelihoods of the poor who heavily depend on natural resources. The annual global cost of land degradation due to land use and cover change (LUCC) and lower cropland and rangeland productivity is estimated to be about 300 billion USD. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounts for the largest share (22%) of the total global cost of land degradation. Only about 38% of the cost of land degradation due to LUCC - which accounts for 78% of the US$300 billion loss – is borne by land users and the remaining share (62%) is borne by consumers of ecosystem services off the farm. The results in this volume indicate that reversing land degradation trends makes both economic sense, and has multiple social and environmental benefits. On average, one US dollar investment into restoration of degraded land returns five US dollars. The findings of the country case studies call for increased investments into the rehabilitation and restoration of degraded lands, including through such institutional and policy measures as strengthening community participation for sustainable land management, enhancing government effectiveness and rule of law, improving access to markets and rural services, and securing land tenure. The assessment in this volume has been conducted at a time when there is an elevated interest in private land investments and when global efforts to achieve sustainable development objectives have intensified. In this regard, the results of this volume can contribute significantly to the ongoing policy debate and efforts to design strategies for achieving sustainable development goals and related efforts to address land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.