Implications of Land and Water Degradation for Food Security, with Particular Reference to Asia and Africa

Abstract

From Introduction: "It is common fallacy that land is ample and indestructible, and that clean water rains on us every day. Loss and degradation of these natural resources is widespread, particularly in developing countries. The reality is that this degradation threats our future and that of our children. Another common mental image that is that of gradual change: that degradation proceeds slowly and can be reversed, slowly, with adequate inputs. Yet, agroecological systems and societies are reilient only up to a threshold, and collapse when pushed too far. The rates of natural resources degradation may seem slow to some, but this should not lull us into complacency."