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Land
Special Issues
Celebrating 30 Years of International Day against Desertification, and Drought
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Celebrating 30 Years of International Day against Desertification, and Drought

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land, Soil and Water".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 5844

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Hanoch Lavee

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geography and Environment, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
Interests: surface runoff; soil erosion; land use; climate change
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ioannis N. Daliakopoulos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Interests: sustainable management of waste and natural resources
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

June 17th of each year since 1994 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, has been celebrated to raise awareness about the global efforts to combat desertification and encourage the desire to mobilize global efforts to maintain and restore land and soil productivity and mitigate the impact of drought on drylands.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to celebrate 30 years of "International Day Against Desertification and Drought".

Papers (original research articles and review papers) are encouraged that provide research results on desertification and drought and overviews of global land restoration and drought resilience.

Topics of interest for this Special Issue include the following: UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD); sustainable land management; resilience and adaptation of soil and vegetation to climate change; land and soil restoration; soil-water-vegetation-erosion relations under environmental change; desertification indicators; models of desertification; modelling climate change mitigation and adaptation; socioeconomic approaches to desertification; food & water security; poverty reduction.

Prof. Dr. Hanoch Lavee
Dr. Ioannis N. Daliakopoulos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • climate change
  • sustainable land management
  • soil erosion
  • desertification indicators
  • desertification models
  • desertification processes
  • drought
  • food & water security

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1699 KiB  
Article
Soil Bacteria from the Namib Desert: Insights into Plant Growth Promotion and Osmotolerance in a Hyper-Arid Environment
by Tiago Lopes, Jacinta Santos, Diana Matos, Carina Sá, Diogo Pina, Ricardo Pinto, Paulo Cardoso and Etelvina Figueira
Land 2024, 13(10), 1678; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101678 - 15 Oct 2024
Viewed by 812
Abstract
The Namib Desert is characterized by a number of abiotic stresses, including high temperature, high salinity, osmotic pressure, alkaline pH, and limited water availability. In such environments, dry soils typically exhibit a low water potential, scarce nutrients, and high concentrations of dissolved ions, [...] Read more.
The Namib Desert is characterized by a number of abiotic stresses, including high temperature, high salinity, osmotic pressure, alkaline pH, and limited water availability. In such environments, dry soils typically exhibit a low water potential, scarce nutrients, and high concentrations of dissolved ions, collectively creating a challenging habitat for microbial life. In this study, 89 bacterial isolates belonging to 20 genera were identified. Bacteria demonstrated significant osmotolerance, with some strains thriving at polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations exceeding 20%. Furthermore, these bacteria demonstrated halotolerance, high pH tolerance, and capacity to produce plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits under conditions of osmotic stress. Osmotolerant bacteria exhibited higher proficiency in siderophore production, potassium solubilization, and phosphorus solubilization, all of which are critical for supporting plant growth in nutrient-scarce and stressful environments, such as deserts. However, alginate production was higher in isolates that were less osmotolerant, indicating the potential for a compensatory mechanism in strains that were more sensitive. These findings highlight the complex strategies employed by desert bacteria to survive and support host plants in extreme environments. The present study not only enhances our understanding of microbial adaptations in arid ecosystems, but also provides important information for the development of potential applications for these bacteria in the reclamation of arid land and agricultural practices aimed at improving crop resilience to abiotic stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Celebrating 30 Years of International Day against Desertification, and Drought)
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23 pages, 17851 KiB  
Article
Unraveling Projected Changes in Spatiotemporal Patterns and Drought Events across Mainland China Using CMIP6 Models and an Intensity–Area–Duration Algorithm
by Jinping Liu, Junchao Wu, Sk Ajim Ali, Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh, Yanqun Ren and Masoud Jafari Shalamzari
Land 2024, 13(10), 1571; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101571 - 27 Sep 2024
Viewed by 605
Abstract
In the context of global warming, temperature increases have led to frequent drought events and a sharp increase in economic losses and social risks. In this study, five medium- and high-emission scenario models, the SSP245 and SSP585, CMIP6 monthly scale temperature and precipitation [...] Read more.
In the context of global warming, temperature increases have led to frequent drought events and a sharp increase in economic losses and social risks. In this study, five medium- and high-emission scenario models, the SSP245 and SSP585, CMIP6 monthly scale temperature and precipitation datasets under different global warming contexts (1.5 °C and 2 °C), and the 1984–2014 weather station observations were selected. The latter dataset was used to improve the ability of the CMIP6 to simulate surface drought accuracy. A standardized precipitation–evapotranspiration index dataset was generated. The latest intensity–area–duration framework was adopted to identify regional drought events by considering their continuity and spatial dynamic characteristics. The parameters of intensity, area, and duration were used to characterize the dynamic evolution of drought events. Under the medium- to high-emission scenario model, with a continuous increase in global temperature to 1.5 °C, in the southeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) and southern Xinjiang (XJ) there is a significant increase in intensity, extent, and duration of drought events and some drought exacerbation in northeastern China. Under the high-emission SSP585 scenario model, the severity of these drought events is reduced when compared with the SSP245 scenario model, but this also shows an increasing trend, especially with the 2 °C global warming background. Significant drought aggravation trends were observed in southern XJ, northern QTP, and northern Northwest. In contrast, a small but significant drought-weakening trend was observed in southwestern south China. The results of this study provide a reference for society and government departments to make decisions in response to future drought events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Celebrating 30 Years of International Day against Desertification, and Drought)
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36 pages, 781 KiB  
Article
Characterizing Agroecology in North Africa, a Review of 88 Sustainable Agriculture Projects
by Mélanie Requier-Desjardins, Olfa Boughamoura and Elen Lemaître-Curri
Land 2024, 13(9), 1457; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091457 - 7 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1593
Abstract
Agroecology refers to the greening of agrosystems with the mobilization of ecosystem services in order to limit exogenous inputs, enhance biodiversity and moderate the exploitation of natural resources. Agroecological practices offer pathways for transformation and transition not only of agricultural systems but of [...] Read more.
Agroecology refers to the greening of agrosystems with the mobilization of ecosystem services in order to limit exogenous inputs, enhance biodiversity and moderate the exploitation of natural resources. Agroecological practices offer pathways for transformation and transition not only of agricultural systems but of entire food systems. Through its objectives, agroecology aims at both sustainable land management and the strengthening of the livelihoods of producers and rural people and thus contributes to the fight against desertification. Currently, there is little scientific literature on the characteristics of agroecology in the Maghreb region. Several studies provide important information but they do not allow drawing up a global panorama of agroecology in the region. The proposed article highlights general characteristics of agroecology in North Africa from a review of 88 sustainable agriculture projects, which it analyzes, through an inventory of agroecological practices supported by these projects, from the frameworks of the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition, 2019, on the principles of agroecology and the transition levels approach developed by Gliessman and fellows since 2007. The results show (i) differences in the observed practices depending on the agrosystems and (ii) predominant common practices across these diverse agrosystems; (iii) significant evolution in these practices over time. The majority of the agroecological innovations identified are at the plot and farm scales, with the exception of those found in oasis and mountain agrosystems, where practices integrate the scales of the territory and value chains in a more complete way. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Celebrating 30 Years of International Day against Desertification, and Drought)
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14 pages, 9594 KiB  
Article
Aeolian Sand Sorting and Soil Moisture in Arid Namibian Fairy Circles
by Hezi Yizhaq, Constantin Rein, Lior Saban, Noa Cohen, Klaus Kroy and Itzhak Katra
Land 2024, 13(2), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020197 - 6 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1207
Abstract
We studied fairy circles 20 km west of Sesriem at one of the driest locations of fairy circles in Namibia, at the foot of the popular Sossusvlei dunes. These fairy circles lack the typical hexagonal order of the Namibian fairy circles. After years [...] Read more.
We studied fairy circles 20 km west of Sesriem at one of the driest locations of fairy circles in Namibia, at the foot of the popular Sossusvlei dunes. These fairy circles lack the typical hexagonal order of the Namibian fairy circles. After years of drought, their pattern is more similar to that of vegetation rings, due to the sparse vegetation in the area between the circles. Cross-section measurements of the soil water content (SWC) show that the upper layer (12 cm) is very dry (~1%) and much below the wilting point of Stipagrostis ciliata grasses, whereas the deeper soil layer is wetter (4%). The grain size distribution of soil samples taken from inside and outside the fairy circles reveals considerable heterogeneity in the size fractions due to aeolian (wind-driven) sand sorting. The bare soil inside the fairy circles contains coarser grains, and the ground surface is covered by sand megaripples. There is a linear trend between the vertical soil moisture gradient and the median grain diameter. Fine particles trapped on the vegetated edges of the fairy circle result in small nebkhas that increase the soil water retention at the surface. The dry and loose coarser topsoil inside the fairy circles may prevent the recolonization of new seedlings with short root lengths inside the fairy circles. Our results highlight the role of aeolian sand transport and deposition in desert vegetation environments and seem to support the notion that fairy circle formation may be affected by the interplay between sand sorting and soil moisture gradients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Celebrating 30 Years of International Day against Desertification, and Drought)
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Review

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32 pages, 2391 KiB  
Review
Temperate Soils Exposed to Drought—Key Processes, Impacts, Indicators, and Unknowns
by Sabine Reinsch, David A. Robinson, Maud A. J. van Soest, Aidan M. Keith, Simon Parry and Andrew M. Tye
Land 2024, 13(11), 1759; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111759 - 26 Oct 2024
Viewed by 886
Abstract
The summer drought in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2022 produced significant speculation concerning how its termination may impact and interact with the soil resource. Whilst knowledge regarding soils and droughts exists in the scientific literature, a coherent understanding of the wider range [...] Read more.
The summer drought in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2022 produced significant speculation concerning how its termination may impact and interact with the soil resource. Whilst knowledge regarding soils and droughts exists in the scientific literature, a coherent understanding of the wider range of impacts on soil properties and functions has not been compiled for temperate soils. Here, we draw together knowledge from studies in the UK and other temperate countries to understand how soils respond to drought, and importantly what and where our knowledge gaps are. First, we define the different types of droughts and their frequency in the UK and provide a brief overview on the likely societal impacts that droughts place on the soil and related ecosystems. Our focus is on ‘agricultural and ecosystem drought’, as this is when soils experience dry periods affecting crops and ecosystem function, followed by rewetting. The behaviour of moisture in soils and the key processes that contribute to its storage and transport are examined. The principal changes in the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils resulting from drought, and rewetting (i.e., drought termination) are discussed and their extensive interactions are demonstrated. Processes that are involved in the rewetting of soils are explored for soil and catchment-scale soil responses. Lastly, soils’ recovery after drought is considered, knowledge gaps are identified, and areas to improve understanding are highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Celebrating 30 Years of International Day against Desertification, and Drought)
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