The Economics of Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought

Introduction
6. CASE STUDIES
Five countries were selected to provide an in-depth analysis of the costs of action and inaction. These
five countries represent the five major regions in developing countries. The case studies are used to
demonstrate the methods discussed in the previous sections. We also discuss some successful case
studies in the selected areas that demonstrate the impacts that actions against deforestation, land
degradation, and drought (DLDD) have had on livelihoods and ecosystem services. We draw lessons
from the success stories to illustrate the effectiveness of some of policies and strategies discussed in
this study. With per capita income ranging from more than $5,000 in Peru to as low as $400 in Niger
(Figure 6.1), the five countries represent a range of economic development. Economic growth in the
five countries also varies. Per capita income in all five countries has been increasing, with Peru
showing the most robust growth and Niger the least (Figure 6.1).
Figure 6.1—Trend of per capita income in the case study countries
Source: Author’s creation.
Land degradation in the five countries is also different. Figure 6.2 shows that Niger has the
lowest level of land and biophysical degradation, whereas Uzbekistan has the highest level of both.
With the exception of Peru, the case study countries have more than 50 percent of their land area in
the arid, semiarid, or hyperarid zone, with per capita arable land area less than 1 hectare (Table 6.1).
This means that the selected countries are largely in the marginal areas.
Figure 6.2—Status of land degradation in the case study countries
Hectare
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
Niger Kenya Peru India Uzbekistan
Source: Computed from Natchergaele et al. 2010.
Land degradation index
Biophysical degradation index
Land degradationimpact index
100
.
.