Plan Nacional de Lucha contra la desertificación degradación de la tierra y sequía
Impact of Human Activities on Terrestrial Ecosystems
Threats to Ecosystem Health
- The health of terrestrial ecosystems is under threat primarily due to anthropogenic activities, which are the main cause of ecosystem degradation.
- According to the United Nations Environment Programme, nearly 15% of Earth's land surface has been degraded by human actions. Major causes include overgrazing, deforestation, agriculture, overexploitation of vegetation, and industrial activities.
Understanding Land Degradation
- Land degradation refers to the process that reduces the current and potential capacity of land and its components (soil, water, forests) essential for producing goods and services.
- Desertification occurs in arid or dry climates but can also affect areas where resource exploitation practices are not environmentally friendly.
Sustainable Land Management Initiatives
- To achieve sustainable land management, Ecuador's Ministry of Environment leads initiatives against desertification and land degradation through projects like the Global Environment Facility project. This aligns with national action plans against desertification as per UN conventions.
- The goal is to develop programs that reverse and prevent desertification while mitigating drought effects to support poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.
Practices for Sustainable Agriculture
- Public policy instruments, financing mechanisms, and local practices have enabled sustainable land management techniques such as crop rotation, diversification, organic farming, agro-biodiversity systems, reforestation efforts, rainwater harvesting, fog collection systems, and efficient irrigation methods.
Benefits from Sustainable Practices
- Investment in sustainable land management practices globally contributes significantly to climate change mitigation/adaptation efforts as well as food security and biodiversity conservation. Improved water quality has been observed through these initiatives; for instance, a 30%-40% recovery in water flow was noted after implementing certain projects.