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Introductory Course to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa (UNCCD)

Corporate author
UNEP/InforMEA
Date
2016
Source
IUCN (ID: MON-092661)
Title (French)

Cours d'introduction à la Convention des Nations Unies sur la lutte contre la désertification dans les pays gravement touchés par la sécheresse et/ou la désertification, en particulier en Afrique (CNULD)

Title (Spanish)

Curso de introducción a la Convención de las Naciones Unidas de lucha contra la desertificación en los países afectados por sequía grave o desertificación, en particular en África

Publisher | Place of publication
UNEP | www
Document type
Training/educational material
Language
English, French, Spanish
Field of application
International
Subject
Land & soil
Keyword
Soil pollution/quality Desertification Soil conservation/soil improvement International agreement-text
Abstract

In all countries of the world, land is a critical resource and the basis for survival. Its degradation, therefore, threatens not only economic but also the physical well-being. Soils in drylands are particularly vulnerable to degradation because they are deficient in moisture, humus and nutrients. New soils in these habitats are formed over long periods of time, from a few thousand to millions of years. A single centimetre of soil may take from twenty to a thousand years to form. Yet, this centimetre can be, and is often destroyed or lost within seconds when the land is mistreated through chemical pollution, over-irrigation, or eroded by water or wind. This course reviews and discusses the problem of desertification: what it is, its causes, manifestations, effects and scope. It proceeds to provide an overview of international law that has been developed to address desertification and the attendant ecological and socio-economic problems, primarily by examining the scope of the 1994 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa (UNCCD). At the end of this course, you will be able to: 1.Explain what the problem of desertification is 2.Describe key provisions of the UNCCD The course is comprised of 2 units. Each unit includes a book with links to the InforMEA glossary and relevant documents and websites, additional materials and videos. Take the quizzes to test your knowledge. It will take you less than 1 hour to complete the course, excluding additional materials. You can manage your time as you wish; take one unit and retake the course whenever it is more convenient for you.

Website
e-learning.informea.org

Other references

Treaty

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particulary in Africa

Treaty | Multilateral | Paris |

Keyword: Data collection/reporting, Technology transfer, Soil conservation/soil improvement, Environmental indicators, Education, Sustainable use, Erosion, Food security, Financing, Research, Policy/planning, Early warning system/emergency intervention system, Standards, Capacity building, Dispute settlement, Monitoring, Desertification, Public participation

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-001200)