Desertification/land degradation is the most serious global environmental issues in the world drylands which occupy one-third of the Earth's land surface. Coupled with the adverse effects of human activities and severe and persistent droughts, this process has increasingly threaten the human survival in many parts of the world drylands, particularly in developing countries, by destroying the life-support systems, i.e., food production, water and energy supply systems, and even socioeconomic system. For this reason, desertification/land degradation and the effect of drought should deserve particular attention as the major environmental constraints for the sustainable development in the developing countries. Although the processes of desertification/land degradation appear as an "ecological desease", it is a "social ddisease" caused by deeprooted, various socioeconomic constraints such as poverty, population growth and migration, land tenure problem, and marginality in international trade and marketing. It has also close connection with other major global issues, particularly with climate change and biodiversity.

This data book summarizes the currently available worldwide information and data on desertification/land degradation, and suggests the better ways to combat this important global issue. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification. Particularly in Africa, which stresses the importance of bottom-up approach and socioeconomic dimensions in combating desertification/land degradation and the effect of drought, was enter into force on 27 December 1996. For this reason the publication of this data book is truly timely.
Contents

1.Objectives and Structure of the Databook of Desertification/Land Degradation
*Objectives and structure
2. Significance of Desertification/Land Degradation Problems
*Significance of desertification/land degradation problems
*Required directions to combat desertification/land degradation
3. Definitions and General Conditions of Desertification/land degradation
*Definitions of desertification/land degradation
*General conditions of desertification/land degradation
4. Causes and Impacts of Desertification/Land Degradation
* Causes of desertification/land degradation
*Impacts of desertification/land degradation
5. International Activities
* United Nations Conference on Desertification(UNCOD)
*Global Assessment of Desertification(GLASOD)
*United Nations Conference on Environment and Development(UNCED)and Agenda21
*United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD)
*Activities of other international organizations
*NGO Activities
6. Case Studies on Land Degradation
*INCD Case studies
*Case studies in Asia-Pacific region
*Case studies in other regions
7. Response Strategies to Combat Land Degradation
* Examples of response strategies
* Japanese Activities