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THE RELEVANCE AND CONSEQUENCES OF MEDITERRANEAN DESERTIFICATION INCLUDING SECURITY ASPECTS

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Desertification in the Mediterranean Region. A Security Issue

Part of the book series: NATO Security Through Science Series ((NASTC,volume 3))

Abstract

Desertification is a relatively new term but it is also an old issue in the European Mediterranean zone corroborated by the abundance of historical references highlighting the concern of different cultures on important land degradation processes in the region. The perception of this issue has been changing through time with periods of more environmental sensitivity and awareness alternating with periods of less attention and sensibility. In recent decades, a conceptual evolution has occurred, passing from a vaguely defined but real problem to a progressive assimilation and clarification of the physical and socio-economical processes involved, their factors, causes and also the impacts and consequences. In February 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) came into being. The UNCCD dedicates one of its Annexes to the specific problems of affected countries of the Northern Mediterranean region.

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Rubio, J.L., Recatalá, L. (2006). THE RELEVANCE AND CONSEQUENCES OF MEDITERRANEAN DESERTIFICATION INCLUDING SECURITY ASPECTS. In: Kepner, W.G., Rubio, J.L., Mouat, D.A., Pedrazzini, F. (eds) Desertification in the Mediterranean Region. A Security Issue. NATO Security Through Science Series, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3760-0_05

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