The Scale Factor in Relation to the Processes Involved in “Desertification” in Europe

Summary

Desertification in Europe is more appropriately called environmental degradation. Such degradation could conceivably be the outcome of natural events, man’s activities or interaction between the two. The processes involved and the appropriate responses to them can be considered in relation to the scale on which they operate.

• a) On the global scale of 10⁸ Km² we have evidence of a warming in this century to which artificially induced increase of atmospheric CO₂ may have contributed. The research supported by the European Community might help to throw light on the nature of this phenomenon with particular regard to the environmental consequences for different regions within the Community.

• b) On the sub-continental scale of 10⁶ Km² environmental impact involves the atmosphere and oceans. “Acid precipitation” with its effects on vegetation, rivers and lakes is on the scale of the Community. Pollution of coastal waters from ship and urban sources is on a similar scale and deserves Community research and preventative measures.

• c) On the sub-national scale of 10⁴Km², processes of environmental degradation include accelerated erosion and sedimentation, soil salinisation, falling water-tables, deterioration of the plant cover and urban sprawl. Although these processes operate locally, in individual river basins for example, it can be argued that they have a Community-wide dimension.

  • (i) The causes lie in changing socio-economic conditions within the Community.

  • (ii) The problems involved are similar in quite widely separated areas. Collaborative research could provide the economical and speedy way to obtain results applicable in more than one Community country.