MAP?
The above figure, produced by IIASA,
shows the distribution of expected changes in the growing
period in 2080 from a specific climate scenario. Regions
shaded in green have longer growing period compared to yellow
and brown areas. Regions circled in red represent areas
with a significant climate change-induced change in growing
season length that is likely to affect land degradation
rates. (For additional information, please
click here.)
Overview
Land degradation is a human-induced or natural process which
negatively affects the productivity of land within an ecosystem.
The direct causes of land degradation are geographically specific.
Climate change, including changes in short-term variation, as
well as long-term gradual changes in temperature and precipitation,
is expected to be an additional stress on rates of land degradation.
Climate change-induced land degradation is expected through:
-
changes in the length of days and/or seasons;
-
recurrence of droughts, floods and other extreme climatic
events;
-
changes in temperature and precipitation which in turn
reduces vegetation cover, water resource availability
and soil quality;
-
changes in land-use practices such as conversion of lands,
pollution, depletion of soil nutrients.
(Source:
Eswaran et al, 2004).
Research suggests that climate change-induced land degradation
will vary geographically. The underlying adaptive capacity
of both the ecosystem and communities will determine the extent
and direction of impacts. Regions that are already constrained
by issues such as land quality, poverty, technology constraints
and other socio-economic constraints are likely to be more
adversely affected. Concern is particularly focused on regions
where increased rates of land degradation due to climate change
are likely to decrease livelihood opportunities and worsen
rural poverty. In Least Developed Countries, for example,
food security will be compromised, making progress towards
the Millennium Development Goals unsustainable.
Adaptation-related projects on land degradation should apply
incremental reasoning during the design and preparatory phase.
The focus of projects should be on reducing the impacts of
climate change on land degradation over and beyond measures
that would normally be undertaken as a land degradation focal
area activity. In line with the adaptation funding window
that applies in this case (see below), maintaining and/or
strengthening the resilience of ecosystems and communities
to climate change by reducting the rates of land degradation
(caused by climate change) is a priority. Projects should
reflect dynamic, long-term response measures that can effectively
contribute towards the reduction of climate change-induced
land degradation.
Funding for Adaptation Projects:
Adaptation-related projects in the land degradation focal area
should be submitted for funding under the Strategic Priority
on Adaptation (SPA). Click
here to be directed to the SPA guidelines for additional
information. |
Portfolio