Introduction to Land Degradation, Desertification, and Sustainable Land Management

The training program addresses a skill and knowledge gap in understanding and managing land degradation and desertification, which are pressing environmental challenges, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions like Cyprus. Many stakeholders lack a comprehensive understanding of the causes, impacts, and sustainable solutions necessary to combat desertification effectively. This gap includes limited awareness of global frameworks like the UNCCD, inadequate knowledge of plant adaptations and soil-water management techniques, and insufficient expertise in using modern tools such as remote sensing for monitoring land degradation. The program bridges these gaps by equipping participants with practical and theoretical knowledge, enabling them to implement sustainable land management practices. Practical approaches to mapping and monitoring desertification will also be discussed, including both in situ and remote sensing techniques, tailored to the context of Cyprus.

Upon the completion of the program, participants will be able to:

• Define land degradation and desertification and identify their causes and impacts on global and regional scales.
• Explain the principles of sustainable development and the key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to land management.
• Describe international frameworks such as the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and their relevance to Cyprus.
• Analyze the adaptations of plants to dry environments and evaluate their role and the role of soil and water management techniques in mitigating desertification.
• Value the importance of integrating sustainable practices in land management to combat desertification.
• Support the adoption of local strategies and case studies to inform practical solutions for land restoration.
• Promote community involvement in sustainable land management practices.