Ecohydrological feedbacks and linkages associated with land degradation: a case study from Mexico

Abstract

Abstract:Land degradation and desertification are major environmental problems of human societies in drylands of North and South America. Mexico is one of the most severely affected countries. An assessment of how both biophysical and socio-economic processes simultaneously affect, and are affected by, land degradation is recognized as one of the most important and challenging topics in the research on global change. Towards meeting this challenge, in June 2004 an interdisciplinary mix of scientists assembled in Mexico to participate in a workshop convened by the ARIDnet network. The focus of the workshop was to apply a new conceptual framework-the Dahlem Desertification Paradigm (DDP)-to La Amapola, a small rural community located in the Central Plateau of Mexico. The DDP aims to advance understanding of global desertification issues by focusing on the interrelationships within coupled human-environment systems that cause desertification. In this paper we summarize the conclusions of the La Amapola workshop. First, we present a brief review of some of the broader issues and concerns of global desertification, which led to the formation of ARIDnet and to the DDP. Second, we provide an overview of land degradation issues in La Amapola, highlighting examples of hydrological linkages between biophysical and socio-economic factors. Third, we summarize our findings in a conceptual model, which highlights linkages between biophysical and socio-economic factors in La Amapola, and the role of hydrology in desertification. Lastly, we discuss the results derived from the application of the major assertions of the DDP to La Amapola. The numerous feedbacks, linkages, and causal pathways between the biophysical and human dimensions suggest that hydrology is the fundamental component of the livelihoods of rural communities in this region of Mexico, and thus it is of central importance when evaluating desertification.

Is the patch size distribution of vegetation a suitable indicator of desertification processes?

“…Despite recent advances toward developing a common theoretical framework for studying desertification and managing desertified areas (Huber-Sannwald et al 2006, Reynolds et al 2007b, important uncertainties about this key environmental problem remain, particularly regarding the extent of the area affected, the relative importance of its biophysical and socioeconomic drivers, and the temporal dynamics of desertified and desertificationprone areas (Herrmann and Hutchinson 2005, Veron et al 2006, Reynolds et al 2007a. In this direction, the establishment of long-term and rigorous monitoring programs is probably the most effective way to assess the status of natural resources and the evolution of desertification processes (Tongway and Hindley 2004, Herrick et al 2005, Reynolds et al 2007a.…”

Deliberative assessment in complex socioecological systems: recommendations for environmental assessment in drylands

“…Anselme et al 2010), to very simple qualitative descriptions of the system based on a few stakeholder-indentified relationships and thresholds (e.g. Huber-Sannwald et al 2006). Such an approach offers a structured opportunity for deliberation over the nature of key system relationships, the criticality of system thresholds and the identification of system feedbacks and adaptive strategies (Fish et al 2010).…”

Reviews on land use change induced effects on regional hydrological ecosystem services for integrated water resources management

“…By contrast, the decline of hydrological ecosystem interferes the balance of other ecosystems and negatively affects the human well-being. Huber Sannwald et al (2006) concluded that water scarcity and land degradation interacted with each other formed a vicious circle. Tisdell (2001) also stated that water scarcity affected the natural flow, thus IWRM needed to take water supply for natural flow into account.…”