Land degradation and environmental change

Land degradation is a process resulting in a reduced ability of the land to provide ecosystem services. This phenomenon is affecting (directly or indirectly) billions of people around the world and may lead to the overexploitation of soil resources, loss of ecosystem productivity, shifts in vegetation composition, and/or loss of rural livelihoods. Here, we review the main drivers of land degradation, evaluate its magnitude, impact, and significance, and discuss the conditions underlying the possible persistence and irreversibility of this phenomenon.