In many drylands, recent changes to land tenure systems have had widespread effects on traditional resources utilization mechanisms. Rural household economies often rely directly on the local or regional availability of natural resources. Any qualitative or quantitative changes to the natural resources will have a direct impact on the stability of these households. Overgrazing in many rangelands of Africa has for instance led to the decline in perennial plants. This has increased the seasonal fluctuations in available biomass, hence aggravating for instance the risk for animal husbandry. Research into identifying and assessing indicators for desertification is thus not a purel y academic issue. Extensi ve transboundary and partici patory research into the causes and effects of desertification is required in order to delineate concepts for sustainable management, restoration mechanisms and effective environmentaJ monitoring. hence, supporting measures for mitigating or even preventing desertification-induced poverty and migration.