About the Authors

Acknowledgements



This atlas is the product of scholarly collaborations between numerous experts from institutions and universities around the globe whose extensive knowledge and experience was crucial to the evolution of new insights on the challenging topic of land degradation. We would like thank the Advisory Committee and all of the Main and Contributing authors: without their contributions, support and encouragement this publication would not have been possible. We acknowledge the involvement and contributions of the UN Environment via the Advisory Committee, reviewers for their helpful comments and thoughtful suggestions and greatly thank the proofreaders, Daniela Abentung and, in particular, Grainne Mulhern for their efforts to improve the harmonization and readability of the text. Thanks also to Sophie Barbier for her crucial and tireless secretarial support throughout the process.
We are especially indebted to the JRC Support Staff – Melanie Weynants, Pier Lorenzo Marasco, Hrvoje Kutnjak, Desiree Johansson and Marek Smid – who worked enthusiastically and tirelessly on all facets of this atlas. Their contributions ranged from the technical to the scholarly, including scripting for the many analyses, harmonisation and management of datasets, cartographic research, making illustrations and solving copyright issues. Special thanks to Ian Dewsbery at Lovell Johns Ltd. (UK) for his professional guidance in graphical design, which produced an attractive and modern-looking atlas. During the long and complicated process of compiling the atlas, Ian’s understanding, patience and high standards were crucial to its success. William Adnams provided assistance in GIS/cartographic matters, the EU Publications Office helped coordinate printing, Federico Gianoli designed and developed the WAD3 website and Grainne Mulhern assisted in the publication process: Thanks to all.

The topic of land degradation and desertification is of great significance to the global community. Therefore, a large number of individuals have either directly or indirectly been involved in activities that have ultimately found their way into pages of this atlas. As it is impossible to credit all such contributors, we apologise for any unintentional omissions.
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To refer to this 3rd edition of the World Atlas of Desertification please cite as follows:

Cherlet, M., Hutchinson, C., Reynolds, J., Hill, J., Sommer, S., von Maltitz, G. (Eds.), World Atlas of Desertification, Publication Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2018.

The full version of this atlas will be available online at: http://wad.jrc.ec.europa.eu
This URL gives access to the index and leads to an interactive map interface where map layers compiled using the convergence of evidence concept can be interrogated.
Individual pages in this atlas contain QR codes which, when scanned, bring the reader to the exact online location to access the related page content.

World Atlas of Desertification
Printed version
ISBN 978-92-79-75350-3
doi:10.2760/9205
Catalogue number KJ-07-17-008-EN-C
Online version
ISBN 978-92-79-75349-7
doi:10.2760/06292
Catalogue number KJ-07-17-008-EN-N

Editorial Board and Main Authors

Cherlet, Michael European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Hutchinson, Charles School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ, USA
Reynolds, James Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, USA
Hill, Joachim University of Trier, Trier, Germany, Fac. of Environmental and Regional Sciences
Sommer, Stefan Land degradation expert (ex European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy)
Von Maltitz, Graham Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, South Africa, Natural Resources & the Environment (NRE)

Advisory Committee

Abraham, Elena Argentine Dryland Research Institute (IADIZA-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
Ajai Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad, India
Bastin, Gary Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Alice Springs, Australia
Guosheng, Wang Academy of Forest Inventory and Planning, State Forestry Administration, Beijing, China
Hamrouni, Hedi Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Environnement, Tunis, Tunisia
Klintenberg, Patrik Mälardalen University, Sweden
Leon, Alejandro Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
De Lima, Jose Roberto Centre for Strategic Studies and Management – CGEE, Brasília-FD, Brazil
Liniger, Hans Peter World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT), Bern, Switzerland
Martius, Christopher Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Bogor, Indonesia
Mbow, Cheikh ICRAF (World Agroforestry Centre), Nairobi, Kenya
Nurymgerejev, Kanysh CACILM, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Safriel, Uriel Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
Seely, Mary Desert Research Foundation of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
Shepherd, Gemma UN Environment, Nairobi, Kenya
Stafford Smith, Mark Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, Australia
Wadid, Erian Arab Centre for Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), Syria
Zdruli, Pandi CIHEAM Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Italy
Zougmore, Robert International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), CGIAR
Zucca, Claudio International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Rabat,Morocco

Lead Authors

Abraham, Elena Argentine Dryland Research Institute (IADIZA-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
Archibald, Sally University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Del Barrio, Gabriel Spanish National Research Council, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA), Almeria, Spain
Duveiller, Gregory European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Fensholt, Rasmus University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Ivits, Eva European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark
Liniger, Hans Peter World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT), Bern,Switzerland
Martius, Christopher Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Bogor, Indonesia
Mortimore, Michael Drylands Research, Milborne Port, UK
Pekel, Jean-Francois European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Röder, Achim Faculty of Environmental and Regional Sciences, University of Trier, Trier,Germany
Shepherd, Gemma UN Environment, Nairobi, Kenya
Stibig, Hans Jürgen European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Vogt, Juergen European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Ye, Jian-Sheng School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
Zdruli, Pandi CIHEAM Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Italy

Contributing Authors

Achard, Frédéric European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Ajai Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad, India
Akca, Erhan University of Adiyaman , Adiyaman , Turkey
Argaman, Eli Soil Science Centre, Wageningen University, NL
Barbosa, Paulo European Cowmmission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Batlle-Sales, Jorge Universidad de València, Valencia, Spain
Belward, Alan European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Beuchle, Rene European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Blanco, Paula CONICET - CENPAT, Puerto Madryn, Argentina
Bran, Donaldo National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina
Brandau, William College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension, The University of Arizona, Safford AZ, USA
Burghardt, Wolfgang Universität Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany
Camardelli, Cristina National University of Salta (UNSa), Argentina
Cerdà, Artemi Universidad de València, Valencia, Spain
Cescatti, Alessandro European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Changyao, Wang Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Remote Sensing Applications, Beijing, China
Corso, María Laura Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development, Argentina
Dascal, Guillermo Climate Change Expert - EUROCLIMA, Brussels Area, Belgium
Elie, Marc Centre d'étude des Mondes Russe, Caucasien et Est-Européen (CERCEC CNRSEHESS-PSL), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), France
Eshchanov, Ruzumboy State University of Urgench, Uzbekistan
Feng, Song Department of Geosciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Frantz, David Faculty of Environmental and Regional Sciences, University of Trier, Trier, Germany
Fu, Qiang Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle,Washington, USA
Garcia, Denise School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona,Tucson AZ, USA
Geeson, Nichola Desertification Expert, UK
Gerber, Nicholas University of Bonn (ZEF), Bonn, Germany
Gonzalez, Molina Sonia María Environmental Consultant, SALQA Srl, Peru
Hamor, Tamas European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Herrmann, Stefanie School of Geography and Development, The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ, USA
Hill, Mariana Facultad de Agronomía, Uruguay
Hoffman, Timm University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Hooker, Josh European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Horion, Stefanie University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Imhoff, Marc L. University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
Kapur, Selim University of Cukurova, Adana, Turkey
Kellner, Klaus North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Kemper, Thomas European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Khamzina, Asia Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, South Korea
Kutnjak, Hrvoje University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, Croatia
Lal, Rattan The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA
Lamers, John Centre for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany
Leon, Alejandro Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
Liziana, Pablo Argentine Dryland Research Institute (IADIZA-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
Maccagno, Patricia National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentina
Maceira, Néstor National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina
Maggi, Alejandro School of Agriculture, University of Buenos Aires (FAUBA), Argentina
Martínez Valderrama, Jaime Spanish National Research Council, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA), Almeria, Spain
Mbow, Cheikh I ICRAF (World Agroforestry Centre), Nairobi, Kenya
Mirzabaev, Alisher University of Bonn (ZEF), Bonn, Germany
Morales, César CEPAL, Santiago, Chile
Nkonya, Ephraim International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, USA
Nurymgerejev, Kanysh CACILM, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Ocampo-Melgar, Anahi Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
Orr, Barron Lead Scientist, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Bonn, Germany
Pietragalla, Vanina Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development, Argentina
Policastro, Carolina National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentina
Puigdefabregas, Juan Spanish National Research Council, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA), Almeria, Spain
Ravelo, Andrés CONICET, CREAN, Córdoba, Argentina
Rubio, María Cecilia Argentine Dryland Research Institute (IADIZA-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
Ruiz, Alberto Spanish National Research Council, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA), Almeria, Spain
Sanjuan, Maria Spanish National Research Council, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA), Almeria, Spain
Schneibel, Anne Faculty of Environmental and Regional Sciences, University of Trier, Trier, Germany
Schorcht, Gunter University of Würzburg, Institute of Geography, Department of Remote Sensing, Germany
Siebert, Stephan Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
Soria, Nelson Darío Argentine Dryland Research Institute (IADIZA-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
Spinoni, Jonathan European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Steinaker, Diego INTA San Luis, Argentina
Stellmes, Marion Faculty of Environmental and Regional Sciences, University of Trier, Trier, Germany
Stiles, Daniel Independent Consultant, Nairobi, Kenya
Therburg, Almut Argentine Dryland Research Institute (IADIZA-CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
Vermes, Laszlo University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
Versveld, Dirk Cape Town, South Africa
Wilson, Marcelo National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina
Woollen, Emily University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Zougmore, Robert International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), CGIAR
Zucca, Claudio International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Rabat, Morocco

Reviewers


Di Bella, Carlo National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
Huber-Sannwald, Elisabeth Instituto Potosino de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica, Division de Ciencias Ambientales, A.C. (IPICYT), San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Kayitakire, Francois European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Klintenberg, Patrik Mälardalen University, Sweden
Mouat, Dave Associate Research Professor Emeritu, Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences
Nguyen, Trung Thanh Institute for Environmental Economics and World Trade, University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
Parachini, Marialuisa European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Warren, Peter Nature Conservancy, USA
Xiong, Youcai Engineering Research Center for Dryland Agriculture and Ecological Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, China

JRC WAD3 Team


Johansson, Desirée European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Kutnjak, Hrvoje European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Marasco, Pier Lorenzo European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Weynants, Mélanie European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Gianoli, Federico European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy