Land Degradation, Desertification and Climate Change (Climate and Development)

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 a Professor of Socio-Technical Innovation at Newcastle University, UK. He was a Professor of Interdisciplinary Environmental Research at Birmingham City University until 2016, and prior to that, he was Director of the Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability at the James Hutton Institute and University of Aberdeen.

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.