Effectively responding to desertification in Europe
A consortium of Dutch, Greek, Spanish, British, Portuguese, and Italian professionals developed this procedure as a way of evaluating potential reactions of European regions to desertification drivers by taking into consideration "functional performance indicators". Specifically, the researchers analysed areas exhibiting the effects of desertification caused primarily by land use change or grazing. The foundation for this procedure lies in several theories, including hierarchy theory, ecological function, and the desertification response unit. In addition, this procedure could be very useful throughout Europe as it can be utilised in a vast array of situations. Of course, it is essential to confirm the functional indicators by using field data and models so as to analyse the area's response to desertification in both a temporal and spatial framework. The data used includes dynamic soil, hydrological and biological properties, and water and sediment sources and sinks. This process allows the determination of the loss of environmental and economic functions due to land use change or soil deterioration with respect to actual cultural or financial losses. In fact, this versatile methodology could prove a useful tool for comparing diverse regions, and provide a link between other socio-economic and biophysical procedures. A good example of this application is a series of studies conducted by these researchers where areas comprising different landscapes, lithological properties, and land use habits were considered using this procedure. Three European areas were analysed: Alentejo in Portugal, Guadalentin in Spain, and Lesvos in Greece. In essence, this innovative methodology could help save vital European regions from desertification.
