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A New ‘Lexicon’ of Land Degradation: Toward a Holistic Thinking for Complex Socioeconomic Issues

Author

Listed:
  • Gianluca Egidi

    (Department of Agricultural and Forestry scieNcEs (DAFNE), Tuscia University, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, I-01100 Viterbo, Italy)

  • Luca Salvati

    (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Viale S. Margherita 80, I-52100 Arezzo, Italy)

  • Pavel Cudlin

    (Global Change Research Institute (CzechGlobe), Lipova 9, CZ-37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic)

  • Rosanna Salvia

    (Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics, University of Basilicata, Via Nazario Sauro, 85, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Manuela Romagnoli

    (Department of Innovation in Biological, Agri-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Tuscia University, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, I-01100 Viterbo, Italy)

Abstract

Land degradation is perceived worldwide as a key process of resource depletion, representing a paradigmatic issue in national and supra-national political agendas for the 21st century in both advanced and emerging economies. Trying to delineate a ‘new lexicon of land degradation’, the present study contributes to a holistic thinking of driving forces in local communities and regional contexts through a refined analysis and discussion of (apparent and latent) factors of land degradation. Rethinking the importance of five notions (time, space, scale, systems, and response) having an intimate linkage with land degradation allows a refined understanding of socio-environmental dynamics and the most appropriate actions to combat (or mitigate) land resource depletion. The conclusions summarize the rationale proposed in this work, and provide a brief outlook on future research addressing land degradation, its drivers and consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Gianluca Egidi & Luca Salvati & Pavel Cudlin & Rosanna Salvia & Manuela Romagnoli, 2020. "A New ‘Lexicon’ of Land Degradation: Toward a Holistic Thinking for Complex Socioeconomic Issues," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:10:p:4285-:d:362189
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    process; space; time; system; governance;
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