Figure 6.1. Linkages and Feedback Loops among Desertification, Global Climate Change, and Biodiversity Loss

The major components of biodiversity loss (in green) directly affect major dryland services (in bold). The inner loops connect desertification to biodiversity loss and climate change through soil erosion. The outer loop interrelates biodiversity loss and climate change. On the top section of the outer loop, reduced primary production and microbial activity reduce carbon sequestration and contribute to global warming. On the bottom section of the outer loop, global warming increases evapotranspiration, thus adversely affecting biodiversity; changes in community structure and diversity are also expected because different species will react differently to the elevated CO2 concentrations.

Source: MA  Desertification Synthesis Report (2005), p.17

Desertification

Figure 1.1. Schematic Description of Development Pathways in Drylands

Figure 1.2. Land Uses in Drylands

Figure 2.1. Comparison of Infant Mortality and GNP per Person in Drylands and Other MA Systems in Asia

Figure 4.1. Key Desertification-related Findings of the MA Scenarios

Figure 6.1. Linkages and Feedback Loops among Desertification, Global Climate Change, and Biodiversity Loss

Appendix A: Present-day Drylands and Their Categories

Box 7.1Droughts in the Sahel Region: Lessons Learned and Knowledge Gaps

Figure 7.1. Overlap of Urban Areas with the Four Dryland Categories

Box 4.1. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Scenarios

Table 1.1. Key Dryland Ecosystem Services