Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Desertification Synthesis (full report)

Published: 2005, World Resources Institute
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• Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Panel
• Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Board
• Contributors

• Foreword
• Preface
• Reader’s Guide
• Summary for Decision-makers
• Key Questions on Desertification in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
1. How is desertification related to ecosystem services and human well-being?
   

   Interlinkages

   Manifestations of Desertification

2. Who is affected by desertification?
   

   Geographical Extent of Desertification

   Poverty and Vulnerability of the Affected Population

   Regional and Global Consequences of Desertification beyond Drylands 8

3. What are the major causes of desertification?
   

   Social, Economic, and Policy Factors

   Globalization Phenomena

   Land Use Patterns and Practices

4. How will different future development paths affect desertification?
   

   Scenarios Approach

   Key Findings from the MA Scenarios

   Key Challenges for the Future

5. How can we prevent or reverse desertification?
   

   Rationale

   Prevention

   Reversal of Land Degradation

6. What are the linkages among desertification, global climate change, and biodiversity loss?
7. How can we better understand the significance of desertification?
   

   Monitoring, Baseline Development, and Assessment

   Reducing Uncertainty

• Appendix A. Present-day Drylands and Their Categories
• Appendix B. Abbreviations and Acronyms
• Appendix C. Assessment Report Tables of Contents

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