Desertification

Reference Type Book Chapter
Year of Publication
1987
Contributors Author: David R. Steeds
Editor: Ted J. Davis
Editor: Isabelle A. Schirmer
Book Title
Sustainability issues in agricultural development: Proceedings of the Seventh Agriculture Sector Symposium
Pagination
229-238
Date Published
01/1987
Publisher
World Bank
City
Washington, DC
Language
English
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Collection Topic
ISBN
0-8213-0909-9; 978-0-8213-0909-4
Call Number
S604.5.A35 1987
Keywords
Abstract

This paper will examine eight issues, selected because they are controversial, four in the realm of the diagnosis of the desertification process, and four in the realm of possible remedies. These issues are:

  • is desertification caused principally by increasing aridity or by poor resource management?'
  • is desertification most threatening at the edge of the desert (200-300mm) or further south in the wetter but still semi-arid areas?'
  • are traditional production systems irretrievably broken down or recuperable?'
  • are spontaneous adjustments to the desertification process taking place quickly and constructively or slowly and destructively?'
  • are there (or not) any proven techniques for intensifying land use in the areas most threatened by the desertification process?'
  • is there (or not) any significant scope for developing irrigation as a means of increasing carrying capacity?'
  • is there (or not) any real scope to mobilize group endeavors for better resource management?'
  • is there (or not) any role for public policy in guiding spontaneous settlement?
Notes
URL
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/15791230
Research Notes
Local system: LIAS1348242 Local system: (OCoLC)15791230 Bibliography note: Includes bibliographies