Abstract
Although debate raged during the 1970s and ’80s on how to define desertification, a number of related databases were developed. Most notable was the Global Assessment of Human-Induced Soil Degradation (GLASOD). New assessments have been carried out regionally in Asia and at national level in a number of other countries. Based on these, a new, extensively revised edition of the World Atlas of Desertification was published by UNEP in 1997. Work continues on improving regional and national assessments, and on identification of key land quality indicators. Databases established by United Nations Organisations and others are described in this chapter and referenced. Recommendations for improving our knowledge of the extent and impact of desertification are made.
Since 1998, Senior Water Resource Management Specialist, AFTU2, World Bank, Washington.
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Franklin, W., Cardy, G. (2000). The United Nations data bases on desertification. In: Arnalds, O., Archer, S. (eds) Rangeland Desertification. Advances in Vegetation Science, vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9602-2_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9602-2_11
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