Land Degradation and Desertification: Assessment, Mitigation and Remediation

Abstract

At first view, soil erosion on Socotra Island, Yemen would seem to be a minor problem. This appraisal is based on the fact that on the one hand the island is poor in soil resources, and on the other hand research on the island has to date focussed on biodiversity. However, results of soil investigations on Socotra showed that in the Homhil Protected Area land degradation in terms of erosion due to soil structure deterioration and humus loss has increased drastically:within 3 years a loss of about 40 m3 in a single gully head was estimated. Soil loss inevitably involves uprooting of trees and a decrease in soil fauna. Biodiversity is, of course, the most important argument for protecting the unique floral and faunal richness of the island, but what would terrestrial biodiversity be without soils? The present approach relies on a “down-to-earth” system of soil monitoring, based on both modern and ancient knowledge and oriented towards current environmental and political objectives. It should be understood as a first step towards conserving soils and vegetation in a Protected Area of this tropical island.