Introduction to Land Degradation

“Land degradation is one of the root causes of declining agricultural productivity in the world – if left uncontrolled, it will exacerbate the problems of food security.”

Emmerson Beckles, FAO, 2010.

Land degradation is a serious global problem with negative implications for socio-economic development, particularly in the poorest regions of the world.  Land degradation refers to the natural or human induced reduction in the capacity of the land to provide ecosystem funtions and services that support socieity and development. Simply put, degradation of the land affects its ability to sustain and support human livelihoods and development.  

Estimates report that more than 20 percent of all cultivated areas, 30 percent of forests and 10 percent of grasslands are presently undergoing degradation¹.  Approximately 1.5 billion people, or a quarter of the world’s population, depend directly on land that is being degraded. Although information on the extent of land degradation remains incomplete, it is reported that approximately 50 percent of land resources in Grenada is affected by this phenomenon².

The consequences of land degradation are serious. These include reduced productivity, food insecurity, loss of income and livelihoods, destruction of important ecosystems, loss of biodiversity through changes to habitats, human migration, increased vulnerability to natural hazards (e.g. droughts and storms), and human health problems. It is estimated that land degradation costs the global society US$ 40 billion annually. Importantly, this does not include the hidden costs of degradation such as the need for increased fertilization when lands are damaged and the loss of biodiversity and unique landscapes³.

See presentations:

Land Degradation Protocol