Researchers have developed a combination of remote sensing and field observation to identify land suitable for restoration.

As the debates and commitments around restoration of degraded land grow, there is a corresponding need for well-informed policy decisions. And policies need to be backed up by spatially clear information on the potential for land restoration. This is paramount in guiding the design and implementation of restoration interventions in the context of limited resources.

Researchers from the Center for International Forest Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) have assessed ecosystem indicators of land degradation using a systematic approach that combines field surveys and remote-sensing data to map potential for restoration in the semi-arid areas of Chad.

The research team used the Land Degradation Surveillance Framework (LDSF) to conduct a systematic baseline assessment of soil and ecosystem health in eight landscapes covering 88,344 km2 across the Sahelian zone of the Republic of Chad. The area’s soils are mainly sandy, rocky and calcareous or siliceous, typically with low inherent fertility, and highly susceptible to erosion. The predominant land use is either for cropping or rearing of livestock.

The LDSF assesses multiple indicators, including soil organic carbon, erosion prevalence, tree density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, vegetation structure, topographic position, land management, and land-use history.

Out of the total study area, 66.94% was considered suitable for restoration with moderate effort required. However, 33% was considered to require considerable effort to be restored

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