Annotated Bibliography:

Sivakumar, Mannava, and Ndegwa Ndiang'ui. Climate Change and Land Degradation. Berlin: Springer, 2007. Print. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING.
R. Allan, U. Forstner, W Salomons. The Assessment of Global Trends in Land Degradation 

Land degradation is a significant environmental problem threatening many nations across the globe.  Assessment of land degradation processes has been carried out as early as the 1970s in limited locations and has grown in scope and frequency in recent decades.  Synthesizing this data is both challenging and necessary in order to understand the current state of land degradation on a global scale. 

The challenges to understanding the current extent and trajectory of this problem include the subjectivity of the scales used to evaluate land degradation, the diversity of methods and criteria for evaluating land degradation and the temporally and geographically patchy, conflicting nature of these studies.  The mechanisms that drive land degradation process can be radically different; erosion, salinity, nutrient depletion and vegetation loss are the major categories identified by this assessment.  While the number of countries suffering from land degradation and the severity of the problem has increased, so too has the variability of the data. 

This study exercises caution when drawing conclusions; urging the field to develop a historical record and utilize technology that can provide more objective measures of land degradation processes.  One major contribution this study provides is a strong definition for land degradation: “a persistent reduction in the major land service – primary productivity.” 

W. Wu, E. De Pauw,  Policy Impacts on Land Degradation: Evidence Revealed by Remote Sensing in Western Ordos, China

This study assesses changes in biomass by measuring changes in land cover in Western Ordos, a dry-land region in China. Government policies have resulted in significant land degradation through the creation of grazing lands for communal use.  These communal grasslands were overgrazed by herders who benefited from increased herd size and were not personally responsible for the land.  Additionally, over-foraging of root herbs by peasants caused significant loss of biomass in the soil. In an effort to reduce the process of desertification caused by these practices, the government developed a system of managed rotational grazing and subsidies to keep livestock penned, with feed being harvested elsewhere. Protected portions of the grasslands were established where grazing and foraging were forbidden and land was given time to recover grazing.  This system has resulted in increased livestock holdings and income per capita and mixed results for land regeneration.  In areas where land protection policies can be enforced, the biomass of formerly degraded areas has increased but in unenforceable locations land degradation has become even more severe "land degradation... can be mitigated and reversed by reasonable execution of rational policies" The study concludes in a tone of tempered optimism, acknowledging the value and danger of government policies land-use policies.


Mann, Charles C. "Soil." Our Good Earth. National Geographic, Sept. 2000. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/09/soil/mann-text>.


A. Adesina, J. Biadu-Froson, "Farmers' Perceptions and Adoption of New Agricultural Technology: Evidence from Analysis in Burkina Faso and Guinea, West Africa." Agricultural Economics13.1 (1995): 1-9. Print.

 Reji, Chris. Farmer Innovation in Africa: A Source of Inspiration for Agricultural Development. London [u.a.: Earthscan Publ., 2001. Print.

Thackara, John. "Greener Pastures." Greener Pastures § SEEDMAGAZINE.COM. Seed Magazine, 3 June 2010. Web. 24 Sept. 2012.