Introduction: Potential of biological processes in desertification control

Abstract

Abstract The economic importance of arid land soils was neglected for a long time. Increased population pressure, associated with concurrent droughts, resulted in lowered agricultural yields and in degradation of the fragile arid environment. A number of recommendations of the UN Conference of Desertification 1977, based on known grazing and agricultural practices, have been implemented but have shown only partial success. Soil biota has an instrumental role in regulating arid soil fertility. It is the sole agent controlling soil organic matter cycling, providing for N input by N2 fixation, and maintaining nutrient turnover in soils. Use of agronomic methods involving soil biological properties has been mostly neglected in lands of arid zones. The following actions involving soil biology are deemed as initial priorities for implementation to achieve increased arid soil fertility and for soil rehabilitation: (1) utilization and management of available organic matter resources, including organic wastes, (2)...