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Soil Degradation and Socioeconomic Systems’ Complexity: Uncovering the Latent Nexus

Author

Listed:
  • Filippo Gambella

    (Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39, I-07100 Sassari, Italy)

  • Giovanni Quaranta

    (Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics Department, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, I-85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Nathan Morrow

    (School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA)

  • Renata Vcelakova

    (Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Lipová 9, CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic)

  • Luca Salvati

    (Department of Economics and Law, University of Macerata, Via Armaroli 43, I-62100 Macerata, Italy)

  • Antonio Gimenez Morera

    (Departamento de Economia y Ciencias Sociales, Universitat Politècnica de València, Cami de Vera S/N, 46022 València, Spain)

  • Jesús Rodrigo-Comino

    (Department of Physical Geography, University of Trier, 54296 Trier, Germany
    Soil Erosion and Degradation Research Group, Department of Geography, Valencia University, Blasco Ibàñez, 28, 46010 Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

Understanding Soil Degradation Processes (SDPs) is a fundamental issue for humankind. Soil degradation involves complex processes that are influenced by a multifaceted ensemble of socioeconomic and ecological factors at vastly different spatial scales. Desertification risk (the ultimate outcome of soil degradation, seen as an irreversible process of natural resource destruction) and socioeconomic trends have been recently analyzed assuming “resilience thinking” as an appropriate interpretative paradigm. In a purely socioeconomic dimension, resilience is defined as the ability of a local system to react to external signals and to promote future development. This ability is intrinsically bonded with the socio-ecological dynamics characteristic of environmentally homogeneous districts. However, an evaluation of the relationship between SDPs and socioeconomic resilience in local systems is missing in mainstream literature. Our commentary formulates an exploratory framework for the assessment of soil degradation, intended as a dynamic process of natural resource depletion, and the level of socioeconomic resilience in local systems. Such a framework is intended to provide a suitable background to sustainability science and regional policies at the base of truly resilient local systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Filippo Gambella & Giovanni Quaranta & Nathan Morrow & Renata Vcelakova & Luca Salvati & Antonio Gimenez Morera & Jesús Rodrigo-Comino, 2021. "Soil Degradation and Socioeconomic Systems’ Complexity: Uncovering the Latent Nexus," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:1:p:30-:d:473621
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shidong Liu & Jianjun Zhang & Jie Zhang & Zheng Li & Yuhuan Geng & Yiqiang Guo, 2021. "Assessing Controversial Desertification Prevention Policies in Ecologically Fragile and Deeply Impoverished Areas: A Case Study of Marginal Parts of the Taklimakan Desert, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-22, June.

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