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Drylands, regions with an Aridity Index (i.e., the ratio of mean annual precipitation to mean annual potential evapotranspiration) below 0.65 , have a climate characterized by infrequent, highly variable, rainfall and intense solar radiation. Consequently, these areas experience conditions of chronic water shortage, and, unlike mesic ecosystems, do not sustain a continuous cover by vascular…

The authors aim is to follow Brundtland's lead on the need for a rapid transition to sustainability. The authors bolster Brundtland's case for the transition, because they feel that the need for this transition is not yet adequately recognized. The authors then go on to suggest specifics of what is needed to achieve the transition. They leave to others the more important task, namely how to…

Desertification control bulletin is an international bulletin published in six monthly intervals by UNEP to disseminate information and knowledge on desertification problems and to present news on the programmes, activities and achievements in the implementation of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification around the world. ( The bulletin is ceased in 2000. UNCCD library collection has most of…

The lack of political commitment, not of financial resources, is often the real cause of human neglect. This is the main conclusion of Human Development Report 1991- the second in a series of annual reports on the subject. The Report points to an enormous potential for restructuring of both national budgets and international aid allocations in favour of human development.But the plea for greater…

Past and present human intervention in the utilization and manipulation of environmental resources are having unanticipated consequences. The often-indiscriminate destruction of forests and woodlands, and the spectre of land degradation resulting in decreased productivity with dire social consequences is generally recognized. The earth's soils are being washed away, rendered sterile or…

Desertification control bulletin is an international bulletin published in six monthly intervals by UNEP to disseminate information and knowledge on desertification problems and to present news on the programmes, activities and achievements in the implementation of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification around the world. ( The bulletin is ceased in 2000. UNCCD library collection has most of…