The Threatening Desert

Figures and Tables
Acronyms
Preface
Introduction
1. What Is Desertification?
Desertification Defined
The Distribution of Drylands
The Arid Zones
Natural Deserts and Desertification
The Two Main Characteristics of Desertification
The Direct and Indirect Causes of Desertification
Desertification and Civilization
Drought and Desertification
Questions Remain about Desertification
A Complex Phenomenon
2. The Causes of Desertification
Overcultivation
Overgrazing
Poor Irrigation Management
Deforestation
Causes and Solutions
3. Desertification, People and Policy
Population Growth
Economic Development
Desertification and Underdevelopment
The Role of Government
Famine, Poverty and Desertification
Desertification in Developed Nations
A Broader Perspective
4. The Scale of Desertification
The Regional Distribution of Desertification
Estimates of the Extent and Rate of Desertification
Developing a New System of Desertification
Indicators
Using Remote Sensing to Improve the Monitoring of Desertification
The Data Imperative
5. Controlling Desertification by Improving Crop Production
Improving Rainfed Cropping
Improving Irrigated Cropping
The Role of Cropping in Desertification Control
6. Controlling Desertification by Improving Livestock Raising
Improving Animal Quality
Reducing Stock Levels
Improving Rangelands
More Wells?
Regulating Nomads
The Prospects for Livestock Development
Pastoral Associations: the Last Hope?
The Livestock Dilemma
7. Controlling Desertification by Planting Trees
The Fuelwood Crisis
Large-scale Fuelwood Plantations
Social Forestry
Does Community Forestry have a Future?
The Role of Non-governmental Organizations
Improved Stoves
Future Tree-planting Strategies
8. Farm Forestry and Natural Woodland Management
Farm Forestry
Agroforestry
Managing Natural Woodlands
The Potential of Agroforestry and Natural Woodland Management
9. Turning the Tide
Progress in Soil Conservation
Preventing Sand Dune Encroachment
The Prospects for Soil Conservation and Desert Reclamation
10.Controlling Desertification: Progress and Prospects
Progress so Far
Constraints on Progress
Success or Failure?
Priorities for Action
Conclusions
Appendix: Summary of the UNCOD Plan of Action to Combat Desertification
Bibliography
Index