Authors
Helmut J Geist, Eric F Lambin
Publication date
2004/9/1
Journal
Bioscience
Volume
54
Issue
9
Pages
817-829
Publisher
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Description
Using a meta-analytical research design, we analyzed subnational case studies (n = 132) on the causes of dryland degradation, also referred to as desertification, to determine whether the proximate causes and underlying driving forces fall into any pattern and to identify mediating factors, feedback mechanisms, cross-scalar dynamics, and typical pathways of dryland ecosystem change. Our results show that desertification is driven by a limited suite of recurrent core variables, of which the most prominent at the underlying level are climatic factors, economic factors, institutions, national policies, population growth, and remote influences. At the proximate level, these factors drive cropland expansion, overgrazing, and infrastructure extension. Identifiable regional patterns of synergies among causal factors, in combination with feedback mechanisms and regional land-use and environmental histories, make …
Total citations
Scholar articles
HJ Geist, EF Lambin - Bioscience, 2004