Why in the News?
The UNCCD, a treaty addressing desertification and drought, partnered with Germany’s Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research to release an analysis ahead of COP16’s launch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What is Land Degradation?
Land degradation is defined by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) as the “reduction or loss of the biological or economic productivity and complexity of rainfed cropland, irrigated cropland, or range, pasture, forest and woodlands” due to various pressures, including land use and management practices. This phenomenon results in diminished soil quality and productivity, affecting both ecosystems and human livelihoods. |
Why is it a Matter of Concern?
Land degradation poses significant risks to both humans and ecosystems:
- Water Insecurity: Land degradation exacerbates water scarcity and reduces access to safe water, leading to a higher incidence of water- and food-borne diseases.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation lead to approximately 829,000 deaths per year from diarrheal diseases alone.
- Food Security: It reduces the quality and quantity of food production, increasing malnutrition risks.
- Health Risks: Degraded lands contribute to the spread of water- and food-borne diseases due to poor hygiene and lack of clean water. Respiratory issues can arise from soil erosion and dust.
- Environmental Impact: Eroded soil carries fertilizers and pesticides into water bodies, harming aquatic life and communities dependent on these resources.
- Climate Change: Healthy soils act as carbon sinks. Degradation leads to the release of stored carbon and nitrous oxide, exacerbating global warming. The report indicates that land ecosystems’ capacity to absorb human-caused carbon dioxide has decreased by 20% over the last decade.
What is Causing Land Degradation?
- Chemical Overuse: Excessive fertilisers and pesticides degrade soil; 50% of agricultural land suffers from nutrient depletion, salinisation, and waterlogging affecting 30% of irrigated lands globally.
- Soil Erosion: Unsustainable farming practices lead to the loss of 24 billion tons of fertile soil annually, reducing crop yields by up to 50% in some regions.
- Climate Change: Extreme weather events reduce global crop yields by 10%-50% by 2050; 12.6% of drylands were degraded between 1982-2015, affecting 213 million people.
- Urbanization: Rapid urban growth of 1 million hectares per year destroys habitats, reduces farmland, and increases runoff, exacerbating soil erosion and biodiversity loss.
- Deforestation and Overgrazing: 420 million hectares of forest lost since 1990; overgrazing degrades 34% of the global degraded area, weakening soil health and ecosystems.
Which Areas are the Worst Affected?
- Dry Regions: Areas such as South Asia, northern China, California (USA), and the Mediterranean are particularly vulnerable.
- Global Context: Approximately 15 million square kilometers of land are already degraded an area larger than Antarctica with an additional million square kilometers degrading each year. A third of humanity lives in drylands, which encompass three-quarters of Africa.
Way forward:
- Sustainable Land Management Practices: Promote eco-friendly agricultural methods, reforestation, and efficient irrigation to restore soil health, combat erosion, and improve water retention in degraded lands.
- Global Collaboration and Policy Implementation: Strengthen international frameworks like the UNCCD, allocate resources for affected regions, and adopt policies that integrate land restoration with climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.
Mains PYQ:
Q The process of desertification does not have climate boundaries. Justify with examples. (UPSC IAS/2020)
