Desire for Greener Land

In DESIRE, WOCAT methods and tools 10 were adapted and
used to map the current status of land degradation and conservation
and to select strategies that can be used to combat
this degradation. The WOCAT questionnaires and databases
of SLM technologies and approaches were used to document
SLM strategies in a standardised way. This was part of a structured
participatory process to identify, assess and select SLM
strategies and involved two stakeholder workshops with a
period of detailed evaluation and documentation in between.
Data collected using the WOCAT questionnaires was entered
into the online open-access WOCAT databases. These databases
offer search facilities for agricultural advisors, land users
and practitioners worldwide to find strategies that might be
suitable for their own situation. It should be kept in mind,
however, that because of the highly site-specific bio-physical
and socio-economic circumstances, any SLM strategy that is
selected should be adapted to the local conditions before
implementation. In DESIRE, the WOCAT databases as well as
the WOCAT questionnaires, completed for each DESIRE study
sites during the evaluation period, were used in the selection
process. This resulted in a selection of strategies to implement
for testing. Thus, the existing WOCAT methodology was
adapted and enhanced to make it more suitable as a practical
tool in projects that combat degradation and desertification.
A number of SLM technologies and approaches and SLM
maps resulted from the application of the ‘DESIRE approach’
in the 17 study sites. The aim of this book is to present these
options for Sustainable Land Management in drylands, and
to explain the ‘DESIRE approach’. This DESIRE approach can
be applied in any project that aims to combat degradation,
and has so far been incorporated in publications and initiatives
by UNCCD, FAO and GEF.
This book presents:
K Guidelines to set-up and structure land degradation mitigation
projects, using the DESIRE project as an example
(1.1)
K The potential of using the WOCAT-based methods and
tools in such projects (1.1)
K An analysis of the spatial context of SLM (1.2) and the SLM
strategies (1.3) applied in the DESIRE project
K Recommendations and policy points based on this analysis
(1.4)
K Case studies of implemented SLM technologies and
approaches from all DESIRE study sites (2.1)
K Mapping case studies of the spatial occurrence of land
degradation and existing SLM practices (2.2)
K DESIRE methodology examples from Eskisehir (Turkey) and
the Yan River Basin (China) (2.3)
The book demonstrates that managing land in a sustainable
way is possible, also in drylands, and that this is best
achieved in a concerted and joint effort of various stakeholders.
Future projects and initiatives might learn and
benefit from the experiences of the DESIRE project. It is
therefore hoped that this book will contribute to increased
use of SLM worldwide.
Italy, Gudrun Schwilch Morocco, Gudrun Schwilch
4 DESIRE – WOCAT Desire for Greener Land