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Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement: A Global Assessment for Sustainable Land Management

Vincent Mitchell

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

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20083 KB
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Print length	:	972 pages

Land degradation is a major threat to the global environment and economy. It is estimated that land degradation affects over 2 billion hectares of land worldwide, and it is responsible for a significant loss of agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.

The Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement: A Global Assessment for Sustainable Land Management report provides a comprehensive assessment of the economic costs of land degradation and the benefits of land improvement. The report finds that land degradation costs the global economy an estimated $6.3 trillion per year, while land improvement could generate benefits of up to $3.7 trillion per year.

The report also identifies a number of policy options that can help to reduce land degradation and promote land improvement. These options include:

Investing in sustainable land management practices
Creating incentives for landowners to adopt sustainable land management practices
Enforcing regulations that protect land from degradation
Raising awareness of the economic costs of land degradation

The report concludes that land degradation is a serious problem that is costing the global economy trillions of dollars each year. However, the report also finds that land improvement can generate significant benefits. By investing in sustainable land management practices, we can help to reduce land degradation and improve the global economy.

Economic Costs of Land Degradation

Land degradation can have a wide range of economic costs. These costs include:

Loss of agricultural productivity: Land degradation can lead to a decrease in crop yields and livestock production. This can have a significant impact on food security and the livelihoods of farmers.
Loss of biodiversity: Land degradation can lead to the loss of plant and animal species. This can have a negative impact on ecosystem services, such as water purification and carbon sequestration.
Loss of ecosystem services: Land degradation can lead to the loss of ecosystem services, such as water purification, carbon sequestration, and flood control. This can have a negative impact on human well-being and the economy.
Increased poverty: Land degradation can lead to increased poverty, as it can make it more difficult for people to grow food and earn a living.

The total economic cost of land degradation is estimated to be $6.3 trillion per year. This is equivalent to 9% of global GDP.

Benefits of Land Improvement

Land improvement can generate a wide range of economic benefits. These benefits include:

Increased agricultural productivity: Land improvement can lead to an increase in crop yields and livestock production. This can have a positive impact on food security and the livelihoods of farmers.
Increased biodiversity: Land improvement can lead to an increase in plant and animal species. This can have a positive impact on ecosystem services, such as water purification and carbon sequestration.
Increased ecosystem services: Land improvement can lead to an increase in ecosystem services, such as water purification, carbon sequestration, and flood control. This can have a positive impact on human well-being and the economy.
Reduced poverty: Land improvement can lead to reduced poverty, as it can make it easier for people to grow food and earn a living.

The total economic benefits of land improvement are estimated to be $3.7 trillion per year. This is equivalent to 5% of global GDP.

Policy Options for Reducing Land Degradation and Promoting Land Improvement

There are a number of policy options that can help to reduce land degradation and promote land improvement. These options include:

Investing in sustainable land management practices
Creating incentives for landowners to adopt sustainable land management practices
Enforcing regulations that protect land from degradation
Raising awareness of the economic costs of land degradation

Investing in sustainable land management practices is one of the most effective ways to reduce land degradation. Sustainable land management practices include:

Conservation tillage
Crop rotation
Cover cropping
Agroforestry
Sustainable grazing

Creating incentives for landowners to adopt sustainable land management practices is another effective way to reduce land degradation. Incentives can include:

Financial assistance
Technical assistance
Education and training
Market-based mechanisms

Enforcing regulations that protect land from degradation is also important. Regulations can include:

Zoning laws
Building codes
Environmental impact assessments
Erosion control regulations

Raising awareness of the economic costs of land degradation is also important. This can help to build support for policies that reduce land degradation and promote land improvement.

Land degradation is a serious problem that is costing the global economy trillions of dollars each year. However, the report also finds that land improvement can generate significant benefits. By investing in sustainable land management practices, we can help to reduce land degradation and improve the global economy.

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

4.2 out of 5