The causes and progression of desertification

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Title:

The causes and progression of desertification

Author:

Geist, Helmut, 1958-

ISBN:

9780754643234

Personal Author:

Geist, Helmut, 1958-

Publication Information:

Aldershot, Hants, England ; Burlington, VT : Ashgate, c2005.

Physical Description:

274 p. ; 24 cm.

Series:

Ashgate studies in environmental policy and practice

Series Title:

Ashgate studies in environmental policy and practice

Contents:

1. The problem and its identification -- 2. Research design -- 3. Initial conditions -- 4. Causes and system properties -- 5. Syndromes and process rates -- 6. Pathways -- 7. Indicators -- 8. Discussion -- 9. Conclusions.

Abstract:

"This book provides an examination into the causes and prospects of desertification through a systematic review of 132 sub-national case studies. It uses a meta-analytical model to determine whether proximate causes and underlying driving forces fall into any patterns, to identify mediating factors, feedbacks, cross-scalar dynamics and typical pathways."--BOOK JACKET.

Subject Term:

Desertification.

Electronic Access:

Table of contents http://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip0420/2004017163.html

Copies:

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Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Copy	Status
Searching... 1:IIEMSA	1:GEN-BOOK	33168020365066	551.415 G313C 2005	1	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

This book provides an examination into the causes and prospects of desertification through a systematic review of 132 sub national case studies. It uses a meta-analytical model to determine whether proximate causes and underlying driving forces fall into any patterns, to identify mediating factors, feedbacks, cross-scalar dynamics and typical pathways. It shows a limited set of recurrent core variables in varying combinations to drive desertification. Most prominent root causes are climatic factors, institutions, national policies, population growth and remote economic influences that lead to local cropland expansion, overgrazing and infrastructure extension, associated with desertification as a potential but not necessary outcome. Some factors are geographically robust; most of them are region and time specific.