DPSIR analysis of land and soil degradation in response to changes in land use .

Jaume Porta,Rosa María Poch

doi:10.3232/sjss.2011.v1.n1.07

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the causal chain, from the driving forces to the state, impacts and system responses, for several present and past human activities related to land use and land degradation. The DPSIR framework approach is used for analysing and assessing land degradation problems within a comprehensive view of interactions between human society and the environment. With this approach, land use, land and soil degradation in several parts of the world (Mexico, Spain and Togo) are analyzed in relation to different land use types: the beginning of irrigation in the 1860’s in a semiarid zone with calcareous soils in North-eastern Spain; influence of the land utilization type (LUT) on land degradation in Mexico; soil erosion and reservoir siltation as a global problem (Spain and Mexico); and the protective effects against degradation when soil is considered as a sacred area in Togo. These analyses allow us to learn from the past and could help us to develop strategies to prevent land and soil degradation. This approach provides a useful insight for a systematic analysis when trying to understand the causes of land and soil degradation in response to changes in land use.

Highlights

In current Soil Science, the concept of time — as a soil formation factor— has progressively evolved, mainly due to an increase in the importance of soil changes caused by anthropogenic factors
In order to address hidden or missing connections between land and soil degradation and their causes, this paper focuses on the establishment of links between driving forces (D), pressures (P), state (S), impact (I), responses (R) and land use changes and land and soil degradation
Land managers and policymakers need information about soil changes and land degradation risks in order to be able to predict the effects of management on soil functions, compare alternatives and take appropriate decisions

Summary

Introduction

In current Soil Science, the concept of time — as a soil formation factor— has progressively evolved, mainly due to an increase in the importance of soil changes caused by anthropogenic factors. The classic Mayan civilization collapsed between the 8th and 9th centuries (Harrison 1978; Fedick 1996; Diamond 2005) as a result of human population growth, nutrient depletion - associated with a lack of phosphorous in the soil - and the decline in agricultural production (Webb et al 2004; Fernández et al 2005) Many of these analyses have been made by evaluating the sustainability of the soil management systems in question and taking into consideration socioeconomic factors other than just soil characteristics (Montgomery 2007; Diamond 2005)

Methods

Results

Conclusion