Dryland ecosystems are characterized by low volume and extreme variability of rainfall. They contain some of the world's most fragile ecosystems. Drylands cover about 41 % of the earth's land surface and are home to more than 2 billion people, many of who confront daunting challenges in maintaining their well-being in the face of limited water and natural resources. One of major daunting challenges is to combat desertification - the land degradation in dryland ecosystems. It is estimated that some 70% of the world's drylands (excluding hyper-arid deserts) are degraded. The impacts of land degradation are severe on both the human society and ecosystems.

The past response to land degradation focused on technological solutions. However, the land degradation varies in time and space and requires site-appropriate measures. The narrow technological approach overlooks socio-economic and policy constraints that limit land users' choice and adoption of technological solutions. There is a need to shift from the one-size-fits-all approach to the adaptive and learning approach. This shift emphasizes capacity of land users through learning from the past and from others for devising, testing and adapting appropriate measures for sustainable land management in drylands.

Objectives

The overall goal of the project is to promote learning and sharing of experiences in response to land degradation in dryland areas through multidisciplinary action research and capacity building components. Specific objectives are as follows:
- Facilitate development, exchange and synthesis of multidisciplinary action research
　on adaptiveand learning process for integrated management of land resources,
　including soil, water and biodiversity resources in drylands;
- Strengthen capacity of professionals and young specialists on sustainable
　management throughinternationaltraining programs, including short course and
　postgraduate study (Master of Science Degree) on integrated land management; and
- Develop and maintain networks of researchers and institutions working in various
　disciplines and geographical settings in drylands for identification of research and
　training priorities and sharing of experiences, especially South to South exchange.

Expected Outcomes

- 10 young scholars annually trained in the postgraduate programme on integrated
　land management;
- 20 professionals annually trained in the short course on land degradation
　and sustainable livelihoods;
- Demonstration sites established, site-appropriate practices identified
　and disseminated for rehabilitation of degraded lands;
- Capacity enhanced for research on traditional water management;
- Network developed and maintained.

Partners

6 June 2007

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