Abstract
Indicator-based approaches are often used to monitor land degradation and desertification from the global to the very local scale. However, there is still little agreement on which indicators may best reflect both status and trends of these phenomena. In this study, various processes of land degradation and desertification have been analyzed in 17 study sites around the world using a wide set of biophysical and socioeconomic indicators. The database described earlier in this issue by Kosmas and others (Environ Manage, 2013) for defining desertification risk was further analyzed to define the most important indicators related to the following degradation processes: water erosion in various land uses, tillage erosion, soil salinization, water stress, forest fires, and overgrazing. A correlation analysis was applied to the selected indicators in order to identify the most important variables contributing to each land degradation process. The analysis indicates that the most important indicators are: (i) rain seasonality affecting water erosion, water stress, and forest fires, (ii) slope gradient affecting water erosion, tillage erosion and water stress, and (iii) water scarcity soil salinization, water stress, and forest fires. Implementation of existing regulations or policies concerned with resources development and environmental sustainability was identified as the most important indicator of land protection.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baeza MJ, Valdecantos A, Alloza JA, Vallejo VR (2007) Human disturbance and environmental factors as drivers of long-term post-fire regeneration patterns in Mediterranean forests. J Veg Sci 18:243–252
Basso F, Bove E, Dumontet S, Ferrara A, Pisante M, Quaranta G, Taberner M (2000) Evaluating environmental sensitivity at the basin scale through the use of geographic information systems and remotely sensed data: an example covering the Agri basin—Southern Italy. Catena 40:19–35
Brandt J (2005) Desertification information system to support National Action Programmes in the Mediterranean (DISMED). DIS4ME, Desertification Indicator System for Mediterranean Europe. www.unibas.it/desertnet/dis4me/using_dis4me/dismed.htm
COP (2009) Conference of the Parties. Advice on how best to measure progress on strategic objectives 1, 2 and 3 of the Strategy. Decision 17/COP.9. http://www.unccd.int/en/programmes/Science/Monitoring-Assessment/Documents/Decision17COP9
DESERTLINKS (2004) Desertification Indicator System for Mediterranean Europe (DIS4ME). European Commission, Contract EVK2-CT-2001-00109. http://www.kcl.ac.uk/projects/desertlinks/
DESIRE (2010) Desertification Mitigation and Remediation of land-a global approach for local solutions. Contract Number: 037046. EC-DG RTD—6th framework research programme. http://www.desire-his.eu/
Dumanski J, Pieri C (1996) Application of the pressure-state-response framework for the land quality indicators (LQI) programme. Proceedings of the workshop organized by the FAO Agriculture and Sustainable Development Departments, 25–26 January. FAO, Rome
ETDS—Environmental Terminology and Discovery Service: Information-Base (2010) European Environment Agency. http://glossary.eea.europa.eu/EEAGlossary/E/environmental_indicator
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (1999) Livestock and environment toolbox. http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/lead/toolbox/Refer/Indicat.htm
Ferrara A, Salvati L, Sateriano A, Nole A (2012) Performance evaluation and cost assessment of a key indicator system to monitor desertification vulnerability. Ecol Indic 23:123–129
Fierotti G, Zanchi C (1998) Agricultural practices and soil fertility degradation. In: G Enne, MD’Angelo and C Zanolla (eds) Indicators for assessing desertification in the Mediterranean. Proceedings of the International Seminar held in Porto Torres, Italy, 18–20 Sept 1998
Govers G, Vandaele K, Desmet PJJ, Poesen J, Bunte K (1994) The role of tillage in soil redistribution on hill slopes. Eur J Soil Sci 45:469–478
Govers G, Lobb DA, Quine TA (1999) Tillage erosion and translocation emergence of a new paradigm in soil erosion research. Soil Tillage Res 51:167–174
Grove AO, Rackham O (2001) The nature of Mediterranean Europe, an ecological history. Yale University Press, New Haven
Hammond A, Adriaanse A, Rodenburg E, Bryant D, Woodward R (1995) Environmental indicators: a systematic approach to measuring and reporting on environmental policy performance in the context of sustainable development. World Resources Institute, Washington, DC, p 50
Iannetta M, Colonna N (2009) Salinisation in the Mediterranean context. Booklet in the framework of the VI Framework Programma Priorità 1.1.6.3 Global Change and Ecosystems, EU SSA Lucinda Project
Kaihura FBS, Kullaya IK, Kilasara M, Aune JB, Singh BR, Lal R (1999) Soil quality effects of accelerated erosion and management systems in three eco-regions of Tanzania. Soil Tillage Res 53:59–70
Kibblewhite J, Rubio JL, Kosmas C, Jones R, Arrouays D, Huber S, Verheijen F (2007) Environmental assessment of soil for monitoring desertification in Europe. United Nations Convention for Combating Desertification, Madrid, p 62, 3–14 Sept 2007
Kosmas C (1995) Field site: Spata, Greece. MEDALUS II-Project 1, Basic Field Program, Final Report Covering the Period “1 January 1991 to 1 September 1995”
Kosmas C, Kirkby M, Geeson N (1999) Manual on: Key indicators of desertification and mapping environmentally sensitive areas to desertification. Eur Comm Energy Environ Sustain Dev EUR 18882:87
Kosmas C, St Gerontidis, Marathianou M (2000a) The effect of land use change on soil and vegetation over various lithological formations on Lesvos (Greece). Catena 40:51–68
Kosmas C, Danalatos NG, Gerontidis S (2000b) The effect of land parameters on vegetation performance and degree of erosion under Mediterranean conditions. Catena 40:3–17
Kosmas C, Tsara M, Moustakas N, Karavitis C (2003) Land desertification and identification indicators. Ann Arid Zones 42:393–416
Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Ritsema C, Salvati L, Acikalin S, Alcalá M, Alfama P, Atlhopheng J, Barrera J, Belgacem A, Solé-Benet A, Brito J, Chaker M, Chanda R, Coelho C, Darkoh M, Diamantis I, Ermolaeva O, Fassouli V, Fei W, Feng J, Fernandez F, Ferreira A, Gokceoglu C, Gonzalez D, Gungor H, Hessel R, Juying J, Khatteli H, Khitrov N, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Lollino P, Lopes M, Magole L, Medina L, Mendoza M, Morais P, Mulale K, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ovalle C, Perez C, Perkins J, Pliakas F, Polemio M, Pozo A, Prat C, Qinke Y, Ramos A, Ramos J, Riquelme J, Romanenkov V, Rui L, Santaloia F, Sebego R, Sghaier M, Silva N, Sizemskaya M, Soares J, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, Torri D, Ungaro F, Valente S, de Vente J, Zagal E, Zeiliguer A, Zhonging W, Ziogas A (2013) Evaluation and selection of indicators for land degradation and desertification monitoring: methodological approach. Environ Manage. doi:10.1007/s00267-013-0109-6
Lobb DA, Kachanoski RG, Miller MH (1995) Tillage translocation and tillage erosion on shoulder slope landscape positions measured using 137Cs as a tracer. Can J Soil Sci 75:211–218
Martínez-Casasnovas JA, Sánchez-Bosch I (2000) Impact assessment of changes in land use/conservation practices on soil erosion in the Penedès–Anoia vineyard region (NE Spain). Soil Tillage Res 57:101–106
MEDRAP (2004) The MEDRAP Concerted Action to support the Northern Mediterranean Action Programme to Combat Desertification. Workshops results and proceedings. In: Giuseppe Enne, Denis Peter, Chiara Zanolla, Claudio Zucca (eds) Centro Interdipartimentale di Ateneo Nucleo Ricerca Desertificazione Universita degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, p 938
Niemeijer D, de Groot RS (2008) A conceptual framework for selecting environmental indicators sets. Ecol Indic 8:14–25
O’ Connor JC (1994) Environmental performance monitoring indicators. In: Monitoring progress on sustainable development, a user-oriented workshop. World Bank, Washington, DC
Papanastasis V (2009) Mediterranean desertification landscapes: Grazing lands and pastoral landscapes. Booklet in the framework of the VI Framework Programma Priorità 1.1.6.3 Global Change and Ecosystems, EU SSA Lucinda Project
Pieri C, Dumanski J, Hamblin A, Young A (1995) Land quality indicators. World Bank, Washington, DC
Pulina G, D’Angelo M, Madrau S, Zucca C, Enne G (1998) Indicators of land use intensity in agropastoral ecosystems. In: G Enne, MD Angelo and C Zanolla (eds), Indicators for assessing desertification in the Mediterranean. Proceedings of the International Seminar held in Porto Torres, Italy, 18–20 Sept 1998
Ramos MC, Martinez-Casasnovas JA (2006) Nutrient losses by runoff in vineyards of the Mediterranean Alt Penedès region (NE Spain). Agric Ecosyst Environ 113:356–363
Recatala L, Fabbri AG, Zink JA, Frances A, Sanchez I (2002) Environmental indicators for assessing and monitoring desertifciation and its influence on environmental quality in Mediterranean environments. In: Rubio J, Morgan RPC, Asins S, Andreu V (eds) Man and soil at the third millennium, vol 1, ESSC, Logrono, pp 897–910
Rubio JL, Bochet E (1998) Desertification indicators as diagnosis criteria for desertification risk assessment in Europe. J Arid Environ 39:113–120
Rubio JL, Recatala L (2006) The relevance and consequences of Mediterranean desertification including security aspects. In: Kepner WG, Rubio JL, Mouat DA, Pedrazzini F (eds) Desertification in the mediterranean region: a security issue. Springer, Valencia, pp 133–165
Salvati L, Bajocco S (2011) Land sensitivity to desertification across Italy: past, present, and future. Appl Geogr 31:223–231
Salvati L, Zitti M (2009) Assessing the impact of ecological and economic factors on land degradation vulnerability through multiway analysis. Ecol Indic 9:357–363
Salvati L, Zitti M, Ceccarelli T (2008) Integrating economic and ecological indicators in the assessment of desertification risk: suggestions from a case study. Appl Environ Ecol Res 6:129–138
SCOPE (1995) Environmental indicators: a systematic approach to measuring and reporting on the environment in the context of sustainable development. In: Gouzee N, Mazija B, Bharz SB (eds) Indicators of sustainable development for decision-making. Federal Planning Office, Brussels
Sommer S, Zucca C, Grainger A, Cherlet M, Zougmore R, Sokona Y, Hill J (2011) Application of indicator systems for monitoring and assessment of desertification from national to global scales. Land Degrad Dev 22(2):184–197
Tsara M, Gerontidis S, Marathianou M, Kosmas C (2001) The long-term effect of tillage on soil displacement of hilly areas used for growing wheat in Greece. Soil Use Manage 17:113–120
Van Muysen W, Govers G (2002) Soil displacement and tillage erosion during secondary tillage operations: the case of rotary harrow and seeding equipment. Soil Tillage Res 65:185–191
Acknowledgments
The research described in this paper was conducted within the framework of the EC-DG RTD, 6th Framework Research Programme (sub-priority 1.1.6.3), Research on Desertification, project DESIRE (037046): Desertification Mitigation and Remediation of Land - a global approach for local solutions. The financial support by the European Commission was gratefully acknowledged.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kairis, O., Kosmas, C., Karavitis, C. et al. Evaluation and Selection of Indicators for Land Degradation and Desertification Monitoring: Types of Degradation, Causes, and Implications for Management. Environmental Management 54, 971–982 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-013-0110-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-013-0110-0