U.N. Conference on Desertification, in Retrospect

Abstract

The United Nations Conference on Desertification was the first occasion on which the nations of the world turned their concerted attention to the need for a comprehensive plan to halt and reverse desertification. The global annual loss to desertification is in the order of 60,000 km2. It is Man's action that degrades the land by misuse as he seeks to wrest a living from fragile ecosystems. A change to a more arid climate could be another cause, but no firm evidence is available that the climate is so changing. The Conference concluded that both the causes of desertification and the technical solutions to combating it are known. The key to combative measures is to be found in proper land-use. If desertification is to be brought to a halt by the end of the century, considerable financial resources will, however, be necessary.The paper includes a comprehensive summary of the unpublished statements of the various national governments and some international agencies regarding their problems, an analysis of the findings of the Conference, and a brief discussion of action taken since its conclusion.

Seasonal Micrometeorological Changes over a Grassland in Inner Mongolia

“…Most grasslands in semi-arid areas are currently facing a crisis of desertification which has been brought on not only by climatic change but also by human activities such as over grazing and poor field management (Biswas, 1978). As desertification is recognized as an important environmental problem on global scale (Wolman and Fouriner, 1987), a comprehensive investigation to elucidate the mechanism of desertification is demanded.…”

Desertification Maps of Falcon State, Venezuela

“…Its causes, consequences, and possible technical solutions, have been extensively discussed in the literature (e.g. Hare, 1977;SUNCD, 1977;Biswas, 1978;Dregne, 1978;Mabbutt, 1978;Reining, 1978).…”

Combating Desertification: Evaluation of Progress

“…As a result, primarily, of UNCOD, research centres have instituted desertification control programmes, university and college curricula have incorporated desertification as a natural-resource subject, long-term government planning documents commonly cite the threat which desertification poses, and numerous conferences, seminars, and workshops, have called the world's attention to desertification (cf. Biswas, 1978). In addition, United Nations agencies and governmental donor organizations have provided funds and technical assistance to dozens of developing countries that are seeking to stop and reverse desertification, while NGOs have acted effectively to increase public awareness among school children and village people, and to plant trees, stabilize sand-dunes, and conserve soil.…”