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Introduction
Current global risks emerging from socio-environmental changes are clearly linked
to inappropriate and misleading models adopted for natural and socio-economic
development (Sena et al. 2016). Among them, the destruction of ecosystems, loss of
biodiversity and ecosystem function, land use, occupation, land use change and
deforestation and the increasing expansion of drylands, together with misgovernance and other socio-political factors, constitute clear threats to the provision of
natural resources, especially at the local level. These processes affect the environment and its interrelationship with society by modifying local populations’ conditions of life, health, education and future development perspectives, among others.
At the same time, the recent adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
adopted in 2015 paves the way for a new global framework under which nations
worldwide must increase their efforts to stop poverty and improve life conditions of
millions of people while conserving nature as life support systems by 2030 (UN
2015). The SDGs are firmly rooted in the sustainable development paradigm, which
renders them conceptually appealing.
Ever since the conception of ‘sustainability’ as a guiding paradigm, it has become
evident how difficult it is to integrate social, political, ecological and economic
aspects—because of their complex interrelations and trade-offs (Berg 2015). In the
specific case of drylands, challenges multiply due to the complex management of
the so-called fragile ecosystems, like deserts which are constantly under pressure by
climatic variations and human-induced activities. Desertification affects as much as
one-sixth of the world’s population, 70% of all drylands and one-quarter of the total
land area of the world (WAD 2018). It results in the widespread poverty as well as
in the degradation of billion hectares of rangeland and cropland (UNCED 2015).
Understanding the drylands socioecological systems, integrated with stewardship
(i.e. planning, management and governance), must be set out in order to fulfill the
ambitious agenda of the SDGs.
Cross-sectoral aspects of decision-making for the sustainable use and development of natural and cultural resources as well as a transdisciplinary approach to the
study of drylands are essential for the implementation of a robust and integral 2030
agenda.
Introduction
Current global risks emerging from socio-environmental changes are clearly linked
to inappropriate and misleading models adopted for natural and socio-economic
development (Sena et al. 2016). Among them, the destruction of ecosystems, loss of
biodiversity and ecosystem function, land use, occupation, land use change and
deforestation and the increasing expansion of drylands, together with misgovernance and other socio-political factors, constitute clear threats to the provision of
natural resources, especially at the local level. These processes affect the environment and its interrelationship with society by modifying local populations’ conditions of life, health, education and future development perspectives, among others.
At the same time, the recent adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
adopted in 2015 paves the way for a new global framework under which nations
worldwide must increase their efforts to stop poverty and improve life conditions of
millions of people while conserving nature as life support systems by 2030 (UN
2015). The SDGs are firmly rooted in the sustainable development paradigm, which
renders them conceptually appealing.
Ever since the conception of ‘sustainability’ as a guiding paradigm, it has become
evident how difficult it is to integrate social, political, ecological and economic
aspects—because of their complex interrelations and trade-offs (Berg 2015). In the
specific case of drylands, challenges multiply due to the complex management of
the so-called fragile ecosystems, like deserts which are constantly under pressure by
climatic variations and human-induced activities. Desertification affects as much as
one-sixth of the world’s population, 70% of all drylands and one-quarter of the total
land area of the world (WAD 2018). It results in the widespread poverty as well as
in the degradation of billion hectares of rangeland and cropland (UNCED 2015).
Understanding the drylands socioecological systems, integrated with stewardship
(i.e. planning, management and governance), must be set out in order to fulfill the
ambitious agenda of the SDGs.
Cross-sectoral aspects of decision-making for the sustainable use and development of natural and cultural resources as well as a transdisciplinary approach to the
study of drylands are essential for the implementation of a robust and integral 2030
agenda.