About this Research Topic
Changing climatic conditions worldwide, specifically, increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation, are causing rapid deterioration of soil quality and ecosystem services in the world’s drylands. Simultaneously, deforestation and vegetation clearing, followed by land-use change to croplands, rangelands, and forestry lands, have led to extensive land degradation in these parts of the world. Specifically, mismanagement practices, such as intensive tillage, irrational irrigation, and excessive use of agro-chemicals, have led to land deterioration. The major outcomes of land degradation are soil erosion, soil organic carbon depletion, soil salinization, and soil pollution. In addition to the on-site adverse effects, these processes also have off-site adverse impacts on soil, water, and air resources.
The objectives of this Research Topic are to: (i) assess the natural and anthropogenic impacts on land degradation in the world’s drylands; (ii) demonstrate the adverse impacts of specific management practices on agro-ecosystem or geo-ecosystem functioning; (iii) explore specific conservation practices, and their potential in restoring soil functions, ecosystem services, and environmental quality; and (iv) investigate the above mentioned aspects in all relevant land-uses, including natural lands, croplands, rangelands, and forestry lands, as well as in mixed or multiple land-uses, such as agro-forestry and silvo-pasture systems. For the Research Topic, we will consider all types of drylands, including dry-sub-humid, semi-arid, arid, and hyper arid regions.
Among others, this Research Topic will focus on the following issues:
• Climate-smart agriculture;
• Conservation and integrative farming systems;
• Land-use planning and policy;
• Multiple land-use and mixed farming systems;
• Secondary salinity’s causes and effects;
• Soil and water conservation measures;
• Soil erosion and land degradation;
• Soil organic carbon dynamics and sequestration;
• Water runoff harvesting systems
All types of manuscripts will be considered, including Original Research, Methods, Review, Policy and Practice Reviews, Perspective, Data Report, and Policy Brief.
Photo Credit: Ilan Stavi
The objectives of this Research Topic are to: (i) assess the natural and anthropogenic impacts on land degradation in the world’s drylands; (ii) demonstrate the adverse impacts of specific management practices on agro-ecosystem or geo-ecosystem functioning; (iii) explore specific conservation practices, and their potential in restoring soil functions, ecosystem services, and environmental quality; and (iv) investigate the above mentioned aspects in all relevant land-uses, including natural lands, croplands, rangelands, and forestry lands, as well as in mixed or multiple land-uses, such as agro-forestry and silvo-pasture systems. For the Research Topic, we will consider all types of drylands, including dry-sub-humid, semi-arid, arid, and hyper arid regions.
Among others, this Research Topic will focus on the following issues:
• Climate-smart agriculture;
• Conservation and integrative farming systems;
• Land-use planning and policy;
• Multiple land-use and mixed farming systems;
• Secondary salinity’s causes and effects;
• Soil and water conservation measures;
• Soil erosion and land degradation;
• Soil organic carbon dynamics and sequestration;
• Water runoff harvesting systems
All types of manuscripts will be considered, including Original Research, Methods, Review, Policy and Practice Reviews, Perspective, Data Report, and Policy Brief.
Photo Credit: Ilan Stavi
Keywords: climate change, climate smart agriculture, land use planning, soil erosion, soil organic carbon
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
