Desertification, Land Degradation and Sustainability
Paradigms, Processes, Principles and Policies
By: Anton Imeson
Published: March 27, 2012
Paperback: 344 pages
ISBN-10: 0470714492
ISBN-13: 978-0470714492
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
"In this book, desertification and land degradation are treated holistically from a systems perspective. By definition they are caused by human activities in the past and present, such as forest clearance, the use of fire and the use of trees for charcoal. Land degradation and desertification are therefore a consequence of man's impact on the earth's ecosystems", writes member of the Foundation 3D environmental Change, Foundation for Sustainable Development, Anton Imeson, in his comprehensive and authoritative book Desertification, Land Degradation and Sustainability: Paradigms, Processes, Principles and Policies. The author describes how local actions by humans affects the land and soil degradation process; and how global level activities also contribute to the desertification and degradation of landscape.
Anton Imeson understands that degradation and desertification are consequences of natural resource use of the land and soil by agriculture and industry. These processes are pushed forward by the economic activity, development of real estate, agricultural practices, and industry. The author describes how the drastic effects can be prevented or reduced through improved practices and sustainable strategies. Where the landscape has been damaged, Anton Imeson points to techniques for soil and landscape restoration, The author also offers ideas for educating people about their relationship to the land, as well as their responsibilities for conservation of nature and its landforms.
Anton Imeson recognizes that land degradation and desertification have both local%20and global causes. Local activity by humans, according to the author, can have severe effects on the landscape and proposes strategies for more sustainable processes being implemented in local land use. Global degradation results from the globalized economy, climate change, and a loss of biodiversity. The author presents the connection between local activity and global desertification through a fully integrated process approach to understanding the wide ranging impact of unsustainable practices. Anton Imeson provides strategies and methods for halting the spread of desertification and the potential for the effectiveness of these overall strategies.
Anton Imeson divides the book into three overall categories to cover the principles and concepts described throughout the book. The three sections of the book are as follows:
* The nature of desertification and its impact on ecosystems
* Local desertification causes, impact, and responses
* Global desertification causes, impact, and responses
For me, the power of the book is how Anton Imeson takes a holistic process based approach to understanding the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to the problems of desertification and land degradation. The author provides a comprehensive overview of both the local and global pressures that lead to land degradation. The book contains policy options, best practices for stewardship and any necessary restoration, and educational concepts for changing existing practices. The author shares examples from around the world to illustrate his concepts, and to demonstrate his principles in action.
Through taking a well structured and holistic view of the subject, the author is able to utilize examples from everywhere, without focusing on challenges faced in individual regions, countries, or continents. The author also included numerous photographs and graphs to enrich the understanding of the concepts. A very useful appendix and resource section provide additional materials for continuing study of the ideas presented in the book.
I highly recommend the outstanding and readily accessible book Desertification, Land Degradation and Sustainability: Paradigms, Processes, Principles and Policies by Anton Imeson, to any students, academics, researchers, engineers, business leaders, agriculturalists, and public policy makers at all levels who are seeking an action oriented book that both outlines the issues and offers real solutions. This book will change the way that people think about their current local, national, and global practices and how they contribute tho the alarming increase in desertification and land degradation.
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