CLIMATE CHANGE, LAND DEGRADATION, AND DESERTIFICATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Until the early seventies land degradation and desertification were not considered a major issue in most Mediterranean regions. Traditional agricultural systems were believed to be able to keep those processes in check. Thus low priority was assigned to research programmes and projects on soil erosion and conservation, preference being given to the impact of farm machinery on soil structure and compaction along with the role of organic matter in the soil.