Land degradation and water scarcity are closely linked. Healthy land has a natural capacity to store and filterwater, but this capacity is lost when land is degraded. Similarly, land-use changes, such as the conversion of wetlands and forests to other land uses, disrupt the water cycle and hydrological functions. Conversely, water scarcity and droughts can accelerate the processes of land degradation, for instance due to poor irrigation management and drainage and altered hydrology, leading to poorer quality soils. To combat drought and achieve long-term water security, it is therefore necessary to manage and preserve both land and water resources.

Water scarcity is already widespread and remains on the rise: it is found in nearly every region in the world. Around 36% of the world’s population is currently living in water-scarce regions. This publication shows that avoiding, reducing and reversing land degradation have positive long-term gains in water security. As land degradation and water scarcity are closely linked, and water is the most disruptive element in the on-going climate change crisis, how land is managed plays a major role in taming this disruption.