Dryland development needs science and sustainability

ABRAHAM, E. M.

SciDev.Net

Science and Development Network

Lugar: London; Año: 2009 p. 1 - 3

000000000

Dryland ecosystems, which cover one third of the world's land area, are extremely vulnerable to overexploitation, inappropriate land use and, consequently, land degradation and desertification. Developing countries are the most affected because poverty, political instability and territorial imbalance worsen the fragility and slow recovery of their drylands. Deforestation, overgrazing andinappropriate irrigation — widely practiced in drylands across the developing world — all also help to undermine land productivity. Yet for many countries — from the dry Andes in South America to the desert regions of North Africa — developing their drylands is an essential part of boosting national production and improving quality of life for local communities. To make such development sustainable, decision-makers, scientists and society must share a common vision. Discussing and agreeing on a model for dryland development is essential if we are to balance drylands' ecological complexity against local populations' needs and demands.