Helmut Geist - Böcker

This book provides an examination into the causes and prospects of desertification through a systematic review of 132 sub national case studies. It uses a meta-analytical model to determine whether proximate causes and underlying driving forces fall into any patterns, to identify mediating factors, feedbacks, cross-scalar dynamics and typical pathways. It shows a limited set of recurrent core variables in varying combinations to drive desertification. Most prominent root causes are climatic factors, institutions, national policies, population growth and remote economic influences that lead to local cropland expansion, overgrazing and infrastructure extension, associated with desertification as a potential but not necessary outcome. Some factors are geographically robust; most of them are region and time specific.

This book provides an examination into the causes and prospects of desertification through a systematic review of 132 sub national case studies. It uses a meta-analytical model to determine whether proximate causes and underlying driving forces fall into any patterns, to identify mediating factors, feedbacks, cross-scalar dynamics and typical pathways. It shows a limited set of recurrent core variables in varying combinations to drive desertification. Most prominent root causes are climatic factors, institutions, national policies, population growth and remote economic influences that lead to local cropland expansion, overgrazing and infrastructure extension, associated with desertification as a potential but not necessary outcome. Some factors are geographically robust; most of them are region and time specific.

First published in 1999. A collection of empirical research and theoretical reflection on the modelling of environmental change from a social perspective. The focus is on the endangered ecosystems in the developing world and examples are given from Asia, Africa and Latin America. After Regions at Risk (Kaspersons et al, 1995 UNO University Press) it is the second compilation that focuses on regional empirical evidence with regard to Global Environmental Change. On a national and European level, it gives an overview of regional studies coming from the first German Priority Programme on the Social Dimensions of Global Environmental Change. The introductory and concluding parts of the book reflect the strictly interdisciplinary approach of the research programme and form a step towards the understanding of human driving forces and responses to Global Change rooted in regional transformation processes. The book offers a source of information and theoretical guidelines for the newly evolving scientific community of Global Change Research; including teachers, politicians and anyone involved in social and environmental policy and planning.