Editorial: Land degradation pattern and ecosystem services

Abstract

Editorial on the Research Topic Land degradation pattern and ecosystem servicesLand constitutes one of the most vital natural resources and provides the basis for human livelihood and well-being through the provision of multiple ecosystem services. Globally, land degradation occurring due to unwarranted land use/land cover change (LULC) is continuing to affect the landscape multifunctionality potential, affecting the provision of ecosystem services from healthy ecosystems. Such land degradation has affected 3.2 billion people who are poor and marginalized, mainly in rural landscapes, with minimal adaptation options (Sena and Ebi, 2021). Since the Earth's land resources are finite, the sustainability of their use is the prerequisite to human well-being, as vital components for realizing sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030, in particular the SDG 15.3, focused on creating a world with zero net land degradation (UNDP, 2019;FAO, 2021). In this context, land use/land cover change (LUCC) is an important factor that can degrade land properties with consequences on the provision of ecosystem services. Severe soil degradation due to LULC can result in the loss in the provision of ecosystem services on a landscape scale, meaning that they are affected not only by local processes but also by landscape-level processes occurring in heterogeneous spaces. The articles included in this research topic have dealt with land degradation from different perspectives with the aim of exploring ways and means to optimize sustainable land use, management and recovery suitable to develop strategies against land degradation and to enhance the provision of ecosystem services.The Research Topic has highlighted that some areas are more susceptible to land degradation than others (Figure 1), such as:-Areas characterized by saline soils: analyzed in detail by Basak et al. that have presented a comprehensive review of the degradation of salt-affected soil both describing the causes and drivers for salinization as well as possible mechanism-oriented rehabilitation options. On the other side, Outbakat et al. have presented the possible environmental impacts of some saline soil rehabilitation options based on the use of Phosphogypsum and Gypsum that can cause heavy metal contamination.

Circular economy in agriculture: unleashing the potential of integrated organic farming for food security and sustainable development

“…Conventional modern agricultural practices have also been criticized for being intensive and having high dependence on non-renewable resources, chemicals, and fuels (Carson, 1962;Pimentel, 1996;Geiger et al, 2010;Winqvist et al, 2012), degradation of land and water resources (Carson, 1962;Pimentel, 1996;Winqvist et al, 2012;Petrosillo et al, 2023), negative impacts on the native bio-resources through reliance on a few staples (Jennings, 1988;Fischer et al, 2014;Petrosillo et al, 2023) along with the higher output of greenhouse gases especially methane (UNDESA, 2021), and compromised nutritional quality (Sands et al, 2009). The input on agriculture to bring about enough food for all is so high that 70% of global freshwater withdrawals from both groundwater and freshwater are attributed to the irrigation of farmlands or processing of food produces (UNESCO, 2020).…”

“…Moreover, conventional modern farming practices exacerbate soil quality degradation through topsoil runoff and loss of SOM, forbidding the future sustainability of crop production already facing peril under extreme climatic events (Pimentel et al, 1995;Ashby, 2001;Gomiero et al, 2011;Porter et al, 2014;Petrosillo et al, 2023). There is a strong correlation between agriculture and climate change as agriculture is very much responsible for producing GHGs, and prevailing climatic conditions highly influence the success of an agricultural food production system.…”

Possible Integration of Soil Information into Land Degradation Analysis for the United Nations (UN) Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Concept: A Case Study of the Contiguous United States of America (USA)

“…Despite being "context-specific", local LD consequences can be of worldwide significance (e.g., GHG emissions) [21,22]. Remote sensing data and analysis play an important role in data gathering on the extent, types, and degree of severity of LD [23]. Some LD research uses satellite-based change analysis techniques; however, the present study refines this technique by adding detailed soil databases that serve to inform the LD and LDN status and potential for NBS.…”

Implications of Vegetal Protein Hydrolysates for Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Leafy Vegetables

“…According to current estimates, to feed the world population, which will reach 9 billion in 2050, it will be necessary to increase agricultural production by about 1.7 times [1,2]. Occupying 40% of the world's land area and consuming about 70% of global fresh water, the agricultural sector is struggling to meet this demand, despite the fact that climate change and resource scarcity problems (such as arable land and fresh water) negatively affect the yield and quality of agricultural products [3]. As if this were not enough, it must be emphasized that conventional agricultural practices further influence the degradation of natural resources that are not always renewable [4].…”