Land Degradation, Desertification and Climate Change ─ Anticipating, Assessing and Adapting to Future Change

Although much is known about the processes and effects of land degradation and climate change, little is understood about the links between them. Less still is known about how these processes are likely to interact in different social-ecological systems around the world, or how societies might be able to adapt to this twin challenge. This book identifies key vulnerabilities to the combined effects of climate change and land degradation around the world. It identifies triple-win adaptations that can tackle both climate change and land degradation, whilst supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services. 

The book discusses methods for monitoring effects of climate change and land degradation, and adaptations to these processes. It argues for better co-operation and knowledge exchange, so that the research, land user and policy communities can work together more effectively to tackle these challenges, harnessing the "wisdom of crowds" to assess vulnerability and adapt to climate change and land degradation, whilst protecting livelihoods and biodiversity.

Mark S. Reed is Professor in Interdisciplinary Environmental Research at Birmingham City University, UK. Prior to this, he was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Leeds and Director of the Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability at the University of Aberdeen. His research focuses on knowledge exchange, stakeholder participation and the value of nature. He works with stakeholders to better understand, monitor and adapt to environmental change in a range of developed and developing world contexts, mainly focusing on preventing and overcoming land degradation in peatland and desert regions.

Lindsay C. Stringer is Professor in Environment and Development at the Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, UK. She was Director of the Sustainability Research Institute from 2011-2014. Lindsay's research is interdisciplinary and uses theories and methods from both the natural and social sciences to understand human-environment relationships, focusing on: the links between livelihoods and environment; science, policy and environmental governance; and the practical and policy mechanisms that can advance sustainable development. Her research engages significantly with research users, as is instrumental in informing international policy interventions through the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). In 2013, Lindsay was awarded a Philip Leverhulme Prize for her work on environmental change and sustainable development in drylands.