Submitted by Elesbão Santiago Neto (neto10uepb@cche.uepb.edu.br) on 2018-04-26T20:26:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Mariana de Oliveira Nóbrega.pdf: 72505903 bytes, checksum: c6b1c08fa9ac762f21b578570f8e85b6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-26T20:26:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Mariana de Oliveira Nóbrega.pdf: 72505903 bytes, checksum: c6b1c08fa9ac762f21b578570f8e85b6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-18 / CAPES / This paper presents the main objective to analyze the Technical Cooperation Project for implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification, within the Sustainable Management of Land, recognized by the acronym PCT/INT/3201, and agreed, through a Memorandum of Understanding, between the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), given that all states of the Community are members of the Convention. Running this PCT had direct support of their own CPLP since that would serve African Countries of Portuguese Official Language and Timor Leste, and also had the technical and financial assistance of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the support and assistance of the Global Mechanism (MM) and the former Portuguese Institute for Development Support (IPAD). To achieve this greater goal, the following steps were performed: In the first chapter it studied the evolution of the international discussion on desertification. Therefore, it sought to understand the issue of desertification in a general context. Then it explored the understanding of international cooperation, based on the construction of theoretical rationalist perspectives international on relations in order to facilitate the understanding of the international discussion on desertification, to come to the knowledge of the Convention to Combat Desertification, with its various Conferences of the Parties (COP) and meetings. In the second chapter it discussed the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and its performance in relation to the environment. This objective was satisfied through the contextual study of the creation of the CPLP, specifying on which it is based, your goals and knowledge about the structure of this community. It also sought to explore the understanding of the physical space of the Member States of the CPLP and their geographical locations, and the situation of these States, in particular the PALOP and Timor Leste, in relation to the process of desertification and/or degradation of land. Then, they analyzed the international partnerships mentioned above, in the development of PCT CPLP/FAO 3201. Finally, in the third chapter, it was thoroughly investigated in this Project. Therefore, it sought to study it from the history of your proposal through the understanding of its two phases (2008-2010, 2010-2011), to examine the plans of interviews conducted with three actors, which had partial or full participation in the Project. With these interviews, it sought to develop a better understanding of the initial challenges, the difficulties of implementation, contributions and perceptions of the end situation, check the lessons learned from this PCT. It was concluded that, despite failures and difficulties presented by the project, this brought contributions to help implement the UNCCD, which will be observed throughout the work. / O presente trabalho apresenta como objetivo principal analisar o Projeto de Cooperação Técnica para implementação da Convenção de Combate à Desertificação, no marco da Gestão Sustentável das Terras, reconhecido pela sigla PCT CPLP/FAO 3201, acordado, por meio de um memorando de entendimento, entre a Comunidade dos Estados de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP) e a Convenção das Nações Unidas de Combate à Desertificação (CNUCD), haja vista que todos os Estados da Comunidade são membros desta Convenção. A execução deste PCT teve apoio direto da própria CPLP, uma vez que serviria aos Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa e ao Timor Leste, e também contou com a assistência técnica e financeira da Organização das Nações Unidas para Agricultura e Alimentação (FAO), do Mecanismo Mundial (MM) e do antigo Instituto Português de Apoio para o Desenvolvimento (IPAD). Para o alcance desta meta maior, foram realizados os seguintes passos: No primeiro Capítulo, foi estudada a evolução da discussão internacional sobre desertificação. Para tanto, buscou-se a compreensão da questão da desertificação em um contexto geral. Em seguida, explorou-se o entendimento acerca da cooperação internacional, a partir da construção teórica de perspectivas racionalistas das relações internacionais, a fim de facilitar o entendimento da discussão internacional sobre desertificação, até chegar ao conhecimento da Convenção de Luta contra Desertificação, com suas diversas Conferências das Partes (COP) e reuniões. No segundo Capítulo, abordou-se a Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa e sua atuação em relação ao meio ambiente. Este objetivo se conformou por meio do estudo contextual da criação da CPLP, especificando em que ela se baseia, seus objetivos e o conhecimento acerca da estrutura desta Comunidade. Também buscou-se explorar o entendimento a respeito do espaço físico dos Estados-membros da CPLP e suas localizações geográficas, bem como verificou-se a situação destes Estados, em especial dos PALOP e do Timor Leste, em relação ao processo de desertificação e/ou degradação de terra. Por fim, foram analisadas as parcerias internacionais supracitadas, no desenvolvimento do PCT CPLP/FAO 3201. Finalmente, no terceiro Capítulo, foi detalhadamente analisado o presente Projeto. Para tanto, buscou-se estudá-lo, a partir dos antecedentes de sua proposta, passando pela compreensão de suas duas fases (2008-2010; 2010-2011), até a análise dos planos de entrevistas, realizados com três atores, os quais tiveram participação parcial ou inteira no Projeto. Com essas entrevistas, buscou-se desenvolver um melhor entendimento dos desafios iniciais, das dificuldades de implementação, contribuições e percepções da situação final e, verificar as lições aprendidas com esse PCT por parte dos entrevistados. Concluiu-se que, apesar das falhas e das dificuldades apresentadas pelo projeto, este trouxe contribuições para ajudar a implementar a CNUCD, que serão observadas ao longo do trabalho.

Examination of bird assemblages along an environmental gradient which encompasses both climate and habitat change is needed if we are to better understand the potential effects of these changes for avians and the ecological process that depend upon them. Climate change is predicted to have a significant impact on deserts and desert margins, resulting in distributional shifts of entire ecosystems and new community associations. This study explores the probable responses of avian communities to increasing desertification. In general, species richness and numbers of birds in arid zones are low compared to more mesic areas. Different combinations of habitat types and the variety of patches in a landscape influence the diversity and community structures of avians in that landscape. The role of vegetation structure in avian habitat selection in semi-arid areas is dictated by horizontal habitat density as well as vertical structure. Although bird distribution is determined by habitat boundaries, most birds are flexible and can disperse across small habitat barriers. The hypothesis tested, was that bird species assemblages along an aridity gradient are affected primarily by rainfall and secondarily by habitat type. Assessing the impacts of rainfall and habitat on bird variables, such as species richness, abundance, diversity, biomass, and life history traits, were the objectives of the study. An east-west aridity gradient of 300 mm, stretching over 370 km, was chosen in central Namibia for the study area. The climate is harsh with localised rain and considerable daily fluctuations in temperature. Grasses, and trees and shrubs up to 7 m in height are the co-dominant life-forms. Surveys were conducted over three years; one winter and one summer survey in each year. Rainfall, seasons and vegetation height were recorded as environmental variables. Three structurally different habitat types were selected for stratified sampling: open areas, rivers and thickets. Open areas were dominated by grass; river refers to ephemeral dry river lines with mature trees; and thickets comprise woody shrubs and trees. At each site, the same three habitats were used for bird sampling, resulting in 15 sample units. Sampling took place on 51 discontinuous line transects of 1km in length and without a width limit. Univariate analyses included ANOVA and t-tests. Multivariate analyses consisted of cluster analysis, MRPP tests, indicator analysis, Shannon diversity index and NMS ordinations. NMS bi-plots were used to define avian community structures responding to aridity, habitat, migration and life history traits. The results showed that bird species richness, abundance, and diversity remained relatively constant across the aridity gradient, until they declined significantly once a certain aridity threshold was crossed at the most arid site. There were significantly more bird species and individual birds at the wetter sites than at the drier sites. Rivers contained more birds than thickened or open habitat types, suggesting the importance of riparian habitat types for maintaining avian diversity. The three more mesic sites included higher numbers of species from the nesting and feeding guilds, regardless of habitat type, than the two more arid sites. The aridity threshold had a significant effect on bird community structures: more migrant and nomadic species, and omnivore and insectivore species persisted in very arid conditions. From the results it was predicted that climate change will cause avian species to undergo range shifts from west to east, resulting in community composition changes and a reduction in diversity. Life history traits affect the adaptive capabilities of bird species and it is predicted that nomadism, flexibility in diet, and adaptability of nesting requirements will contribute to species persistence in the drier conditions predicted under current climate change scenarios. Dry river lines will act as refugia for avian diversity, but crucial habitat types that currently contain less diversity are also important for maintaining unique avian assemblages. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Examination of bird assemblages along an environmental gradient which encompasses both climate and habitat change is needed if we are to better understand the potential effects of these changes for avians and the ecological process that depend upon them. Climate change is predicted to have a significant impact on deserts and desert margins, resulting in distributional shifts of entire ecosystems and new community associations. This study explores the probable responses of avian communities to increasing desertification. In general, species richness and numbers of birds in arid zones are low compared to more mesic areas. Different combinations of habitat types and the variety of patches in a landscape influence the diversity and community structures of avians in that landscape. The role of vegetation structure in avian habitat selection in semi-arid areas is dictated by horizontal habitat density as well as vertical structure. Although bird distribution is determined by habitat boundaries, most birds are flexible and can disperse across small habitat barriers. The hypothesis tested, was that bird species assemblages along an aridity gradient are affected primarily by rainfall and secondarily by habitat type. Assessing the impacts of rainfall and habitat on bird variables, such as species richness, abundance, diversity, biomass, and life history traits, were the objectives of the study. An east-west aridity gradient of 300 mm, stretching over 370 km, was chosen in central Namibia for the study area. The climate is harsh with localised rain and considerable daily fluctuations in temperature. Grasses, and trees and shrubs up to 7 m in height are the co-dominant life-forms. Surveys were conducted over three years; one winter and one summer survey in each year. Rainfall, seasons and vegetation height were recorded as environmental variables. Three structurally different habitat types were selected for stratified sampling: open areas, rivers and thickets. Open areas were dominated by grass; river refers to ephemeral dry river lines with mature trees; and thickets comprise woody shrubs and trees. At each site, the same three habitats were used for bird sampling, resulting in 15 sample units. Sampling took place on 51 discontinuous line transects of 1km in length and without a width limit. Univariate analyses included ANOVA and t-tests. Multivariate analyses consisted of cluster analysis, MRPP tests, indicator analysis, Shannon diversity index and NMS ordinations. NMS bi-plots were used to define avian community structures responding to aridity, habitat, migration and life history traits. The results showed that bird species richness, abundance, and diversity remained relatively constant across the aridity gradient, until they declined significantly once a certain aridity threshold was crossed at the most arid site. There were significantly more bird species and individual birds at the wetter sites than at the drier sites. Rivers contained more birds than thickened or open habitat types, suggesting the importance of riparian habitat types for maintaining avian diversity. The three more mesic sites included higher numbers of species from the nesting and feeding guilds, regardless of habitat type, than the two more arid sites. The aridity threshold had a significant effect on bird community structures: more migrant and nomadic species, and omnivore and insectivore species persisted in very arid conditions. From the results it was predicted that climate change will cause avian species to undergo range shifts from west to east, resulting in community composition changes and a reduction in diversity. Life history traits affect the adaptive capabilities of bird species and it is predicted that nomadism, flexibility in diet, and adaptability of nesting requirements will contribute to species persistence in the drier conditions predicted under current climate change scenarios. Dry river lines will act as refugia for avian diversity, but crucial habitat types that currently contain less diversity are also important for maintaining unique avian assemblages. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Today's arid and semi-arid zones of the Mediterranean are affected by desertification, resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities such as overcultivation, overgrazing and deforestation. Afforestation programs are one of the most effective means in preventing desertification. For many years Libya has had afforestation programs in order to restore degraded land and in response to rapid desert encroachment in the north east of Libya, in the area called the Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain), which has been investigated in this study. The purpose of this research was to investigate the relative roles of exotic compared to native tree species in preventing desertification and enhancing degraded land restoration in the Jabal Akhdar. The effect of environmental factors on exotic compared to native tree species have been assessed by observations on growth and reproductive success of the species, including variables of stocking rate, trunk diameter, tree height, crown diameter, tree coverage, natural mortality, felling and seedling regeneration, as well as calculated variables, derived from these measurements. The effects of methods and age of afforestation on the promotion of biological diversity have been investigated using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index. The effects of tree species on soil depth have also been investigated. Multivariate statistical analyses of site, species and environmental data, using both cluster analyses and factor analyses have been performed, with the aim of determining what is influencing the species, crops or differentiating between the sites, based on soil depth, angle of slope, altitude, rainfall and air temperature values. Pinus halepensis showed success in its growth and regeneration, particularly at higher altitudes and steeper slopes. Cupressus sempervirens was successful in growth and regeneration in the mountains. The exotic Eucalyptus gomphocephala was very successful in its growth, but did not regenerate well, while the exotic Acacia cyanophylla trees had a failure of both growth and regeneration. E. gomphocephala species appeared to favour relativley the flatter (non-mountain) sites, while A. Cyanophylla appeared to favour relativly the mountain sites. All the species responded positively to greater rainfall and deep soil, but they differed in where they were most likely to be successful. Environmental factors such as climate, terrain and soil are the main determinants of species distribution in the study area, in addition to their impact on the growth of the main trees. There appeared not to be any relationship between biodiversity and whether the main trees were native or exotic, and only P. halepensis showed any negative effect on the abundance of shrubs. There was greater diversity of trees and shrubs generally at the younger sites than the old sites. The present study emphasises the current mismanagement of planted forests, particularly with overgrazing contributing to desertification, through preventing tree growth and eliminating most sapling regeneration. This study concludes by making recommendations for more effective choice of tree species to plant, and for subsequent management to improve afforestation programmes in the Jabal Akhdar area.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-09-25T12:22:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Mariana de Oliveira Nobrega.pdf: 1933267 bytes, checksum: 600da788b86eb20f6122995dc173bbdf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This paper presents the main objective to analyze the Technical Cooperation Project for implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification, within the Sustainable Management of Land, recognized by the acronym PCT/INT/3201, and agreed, through a Memorandum of Understanding, between the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), given that all states of the Community are members of the Convention. Running this PCT had direct support of their own CPLP since that would serve African Countries of Portuguese Official Language and Timor Leste, and also had the technical and financial assistance of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the support and assistance of the Global Mechanism (MM) and the former Portuguese Institute for Development Support (IPAD). To achieve this greater goal, the following steps were performed: In the first chapter it studied the evolution of the international discussion on desertification. Therefore, it sought to understand the issue of desertification in a general context. Then it explored the understanding of international cooperation, based on the construction of theoretical rationalist perspectives international on relations in order to facilitate the understanding of the international discussion on desertification, to come to the knowledge of the Convention to Combat Desertification, with its various Conferences of the Parties (COP) and meetings. In the second chapter it discussed the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and its performance in relation to the environment. This objective was satisfied through the contextual study of the creation of the CPLP, specifying on which it is based, your goals and knowledge about the structure of this community. It also sought to explore the understanding of the physical space of the Member States of the CPLP and their geographical locations, and the situation of these States, in particular the PALOP and Timor Leste, in relation to the process of desertification and/or degradation of land. Then, they analyzed the international partnerships mentioned above, in the development of PCT CPLP/FAO 3201. Finally, in the third chapter, it was thoroughly investigated in this Project. Therefore, it sought to study it from the history of your proposal through the understanding of its two phases (2008-2010, 2010-2011), to examine the plans of interviews conducted with three actors, which had partial or full participation in the Project. With these interviews, it sought to develop a better understanding of the initial challenges, the difficulties of implementation, contributions and perceptions of the end situation, check the lessons learned from this PCT. It was concluded that, despite failures and difficulties presented by the project, this brought contributions to help implement the UNCCD, which will be observed throughout the work. / O presente trabalho apresenta como objetivo principal analisar o Projeto de Cooperação Técnica para implementação da Convenção de Combate à Desertificação, no marco da Gestão Sustentável das Terras, reconhecido pela sigla PCT CPLP/FAO 3201, acordado, por meio de um memorando de entendimento, entre a Comunidade dos Estados de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP) e a Convenção das Nações Unidas de Combate à Desertificação (CNUCD), haja vista que todos os Estados da Comunidade são membros desta Convenção. A execução deste PCT teve apoio direto da própria CPLP, uma vez que serviria aos Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa e ao Timor Leste, e também contou com a assistência técnica e financeira da Organização das Nações Unidas para Agricultura e Alimentação (FAO), do Mecanismo Mundial (MM) e do antigo Instituto Português de Apoio para o Desenvolvimento (IPAD). Para o alcance desta meta maior, foram realizados os seguintes passos: No primeiro Capítulo, foi estudada a evolução da discussão internacional sobre desertificação. Para tanto, buscou-se a compreensão da questão da desertificação em um contexto geral. Em seguida, explorou-se o entendimento acerca da cooperação internacional, a partir da construção teórica de perspectivas racionalistas das relações internacionais, a fim de facilitar o entendimento da discussão internacional sobre desertificação, até chegar ao conhecimento da Convenção de Luta contra Desertificação, com suas diversas Conferências das Partes (COP) e reuniões. No segundo Capítulo, abordou-se a Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa e sua atuação em relação ao meio ambiente. Este objetivo se conformou por meio do estudo contextual da criação da CPLP, especificando em que ela se baseia, seus objetivos e o conhecimento acerca da estrutura desta Comunidade. Também buscou-se explorar o entendimento a respeito do espaço físico dos Estados-membros da CPLP e suas localizações geográficas, bem como verificou-se a situação destes Estados, em especial dos PALOP e do Timor Leste, em relação ao processo de desertificação e/ou degradação de terra. Por fim, foram analisadas as parcerias internacionais supracitadas, no desenvolvimento do PCT CPLP/FAO 3201. Finalmente, no terceiro Capítulo, foi detalhadamente analisado o presente Projeto. Para tanto, buscou-se estudá-lo, a partir dos antecedentes de sua proposta, passando pela compreensão de suas duas fases (2008-2010; 2010-2011), até a análise dos planos de entrevistas, realizados com três atores, os quais tiveram participação parcial ou inteira no Projeto. Com essas entrevistas, buscou-se desenvolver um melhor entendimento dos desafios iniciais, das dificuldades de implementação, contribuições e percepções da situação final e, verificar as lições aprendidas com esse PCT por parte dos entrevistados. Concluiu-se que, apesar das falhas e das dificuldades apresentadas pelo projeto, este trouxe contribuições para ajudar a implementar a CNUCD, que serão observadas ao longo do trabalho.

nÃo hà / O estudo sobre a desertificaÃÃo tornou-se mais aceitÃvel quando pesquisas passaram a inter-relacionar esse fenÃmeno dentro das quatro esferas que o abrangem: ambiental, econÃmica, social e polÃtica. Esta crise ambiental à decorrÃncia, principalmente, das atividades humanas atravÃs do uso abusivo e desordenado do meio natural jà frÃgil e predisposto à desertificaÃÃo. O Estado do CearÃ, localizado na regiÃo Nordeste do Brasil, possui 92% de seu territÃrio inserido no TrÃpico semi-Ãrido e economia baseada em modelos predatÃrios dos recursos naturais e, devido a essa susceptibilidade à desertificaÃÃo, esta pesquisa propÃe um estudo interdisciplinar para analisar a propensÃo à desertificaÃÃo no referido Estado. Para tanto, foi construÃda, para os cento e oitenta e quatro municÃpios cearenses, uma matriz de indicadores englobando quatro aspectos: agropecuÃrios, econÃmicos, sociais e naturais conforme os documentos oficiais da OrganizaÃÃo das NaÃÃes Unidas. Para uma melhor anÃlise, cada grupo de indicadores foi submetido à anÃlise fatorial e foram construÃdos quatro Ãndices Parciais de PropensÃo à DesertificaÃÃo, apÃs, utilizou-se da anÃlise de agrupamentos para dividir os municÃpios cearenses em cinco classes conforme suas caracterÃsticas semelhantes. O Ãndice de PropensÃo à DesertificaÃÃo para o Estado do Cearà foi estabelecido atravÃs da mÃdia ponderada entre os quatro Ãndices parciais outrora calculados. Constatou-se que, trinta e um municÃpios estÃo em alto nÃvel de susceptibilidade à desertificaÃÃo, englobando uma Ãrea de 33.969km2, correspondendo a 22,82% da Ãrea total do Estado e atingindo uma populaÃÃo de 3.093.079 habitantes, ou seja, 41,62% da populaÃÃo cearense. Diante da gravidade desse sÃrio problema ambiental que assola o territÃrio cearense, esta pesquisa possibilitou um aprofundamento interdisciplinar sobre o fenÃmeno da desertificaÃÃo, assim como, permitirà uma maior aprendizagem e esclarecimento para os tomadores de decisÃo na tentativa de elaborar polÃticas pÃblicas que busquem dirimir o avanÃo das terras em processo de desertificaÃÃo nÃo deixando de incluir, obrigatoriamente, a participaÃÃo da populaÃÃo local a qual se torna essencial para a negociaÃÃo de interesses entre os ÃrgÃos pÃblicos e os atores sociais diretamente afetados pelo fenÃmeno. / The study on desertification became more acceptable when researches passed to interrelate this phenomenon inside the four spheres that embrace it: environmental, economic, social and political. This environmental crisis is consequence, mostly, of the human activities through the abusive use and disordered of the half natural already fragile and predisposed to desertification. State of the CearÃ, located in the region Northeast do Brazil, owns 92% of your territory inserted in the Tropic semi-arid and economy based in natural resources predatory models and, due to this sustainable to desertification, this research proposes a study interdisciplinary to analyze the propensity to desertification in the referred State. For so much, it was going built, for the one hundred and eighty-four from Cearà municipal districts, indicators including head office four aspects: agricultural, economic, social and natural as the Organization United Nations official documents. For a better analysis, each indicators group was submitted to the factorial analysis and were going built four Index Partial of Propensity to Desertification, after, it used of the groupings analysis to divide into five classes as its similar characteristics. Index of Propensity to Desertification for State of the Cearà was going established through the average pondered between the four partial formerly calculated indexes. It verified that, thirty-one municipal districts are in sustainable high level to desertification, including an area of 33.969km2, corresponding to 22,82% of the total area of State and reaching to a population of 3.093.079 inhabitants, or be, 41,62% of the from Cearà population. In front of the gravity of this serious environmental problem that devastates the from Cearà territory, this research enabled a deepning interdisciplinary on desertification phenomenon, as well as, it will allow a larger learning and clearing for planner of decision in the attempt to elaborate public politics that seek nullify the lands advance in desertification process not letting of including, obligatorily, the local population participation which becomes essential for the interests negotiation between public organs and the social actors directly affected by the phenomenon.

<p>In this study a field study on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD) in Tigray, Ethiopia has been carried out. The objective of this thesis is to study in general the implementa-tion of the UNCCD in Ethiopia. This thesis consequently focuses on how these issues are executed in practice at different levels, thus national, regional, district and community levels. However the focus is on some of the highly prioritised action programs that are presumed to facilitate the implementation of the UNCCD, which are the Action Programs for promoting awareness and participation, Action programs to improve institutional organisation and ca-pacity as well as Action program for empowerment of women. These action programs are studied in how they are presented at the National Action Plan (NAP) and Regional Action Plan (RAP) as well as how they are executed at different levels, i.e. at the Federal, Regional, district and Community levels. For this purpose the region of Tigray is chosen.</p><p>The result of this study shows that the vast majority of the respondents in the study areas indicated an awareness of desertification in regard to land degradation. The implementation of NAP at this stage, hasn’t reach all the regions around the country however, three regions in Ethiopia, thus the Afar, Tigray and Amhara regions have been chosen as pilot projects in attempt to implement the NAP at regional level and preparation are made to implement the con-vention at different community levels. Officially these regions have been chosen to launch pilot projects since they are situated in the dryland areas and they match the definition of the UNCCD for severely affected areas. At the re-gional level several pilot projects mainly conservation activities that involved the community members are launched in different parts of Tigray. Many opportunities to increase awareness of the land degradation and empower people are created in order to combat desertification, however the success of these activities varies from district to district and community to community and is dependent on the authorities’ intention, ambition, determination and interest as well as the relation they posses with the community members in the society.</p>

In this study a field study on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD) in Tigray, Ethiopia has been carried out. The objective of this thesis is to study in general the implementa-tion of the UNCCD in Ethiopia. This thesis consequently focuses on how these issues are executed in practice at different levels, thus national, regional, district and community levels. However the focus is on some of the highly prioritised action programs that are presumed to facilitate the implementation of the UNCCD, which are the Action Programs for promoting awareness and participation, Action programs to improve institutional organisation and ca-pacity as well as Action program for empowerment of women. These action programs are studied in how they are presented at the National Action Plan (NAP) and Regional Action Plan (RAP) as well as how they are executed at different levels, i.e. at the Federal, Regional, district and Community levels. For this purpose the region of Tigray is chosen. The result of this study shows that the vast majority of the respondents in the study areas indicated an awareness of desertification in regard to land degradation. The implementation of NAP at this stage, hasn’t reach all the regions around the country however, three regions in Ethiopia, thus the Afar, Tigray and Amhara regions have been chosen as pilot projects in attempt to implement the NAP at regional level and preparation are made to implement the con-vention at different community levels. Officially these regions have been chosen to launch pilot projects since they are situated in the dryland areas and they match the definition of the UNCCD for severely affected areas. At the re-gional level several pilot projects mainly conservation activities that involved the community members are launched in different parts of Tigray. Many opportunities to increase awareness of the land degradation and empower people are created in order to combat desertification, however the success of these activities varies from district to district and community to community and is dependent on the authorities’ intention, ambition, determination and interest as well as the relation they posses with the community members in the society.

In Sudan, land degradation/desertification (LDD) has devastated large areas and consequently, it includes social, economic, and environmental aspects. LDD results from various factors, including climatic variation and human activities. Probably the LU practices and their changes have contributed to an increase of LDD in that area. Remote sensing technology has become unique and developed tool for providing temporal and spatial information for the LDD research and other environmental aspects. Determination of LDD and its relationship to land use pattern change (LUC) at spatiotemporal scale is rare, critical issue, and is one of the recommended research in semi-arid regions of Sudan. The study was carried out to derive accurate and improved spatiotemporal information: to assess the status of land LDD of vegetation and soil, to assess and model influences of the LUC on LDD, and moreover to analyse the synergistic factors that have caused the land use change and/or LDD in semi- arid zone of Elgeteina Locality in While Nile State, Sudan during the last 36 years, using appropriate remote sensing (RS) and GIS technology. The study used four-cloud free images of different sensors (MSS 1973, TM 1986, ASTER 2009 and TM 2010). The imageries were Geo-referenced and radiometrically corrected by using ENVI-FLAASH software. Then subsets of the study area were taken, ranging from 1600-2000 Km2. The study applied the new approach of integration between vegetation and soil indices and in situ data to assess the LDD. Comparison between pixel based image analysis (PBIA) and latterly approach of object based image analysis (OBIA) was done by selecting the best one for mapping LUC and LDD accurately. The change detection - matrix was applied to estimate the spatiotemporal of changes in land use and land degradation. Moreover, correlation and model approach was employed for fusing the climatic, socioeconomic and remote sensing data to determine the relationships between the different factors and to analyse the reasons for the LUC and LDD as well as for modelling LU effects on LDD. The study revealed that: The changes in land use patterns (RA, FWL and FML) took place in 1973 – 86 – 2009, and affecting thoroughly different patterns of the vegetation cover. Likewise the LUC affected soil degradation which led to the movement of sand dunes in 1973 – 2009. The agricultural activity is the dominant and has more effect on LDD particularly on the vegetation cover degradation. The population growth and the socioeconomic status of local people are the main indirect human inducing factors responsible for LUC and/or LDD. SARVI is slightly more efficient than NDVI, SAVI, ND4-25 and ND42-57, for detecting the vegetation status in semi-arid area, therefore the study selected it for the assessment. GSI proved highly efficient in determining the different types of soil degradation, and in producing the map of top soil grain size, which assisted in the assessment of land degradation and desertification. OBIA-fuzzy logic classification performed better than the PBIA- hybrid classification for assessing LU patterns impact on LDD. The study recommends to: replication of this study by using different imagery with high resolutions and sophisticated software, such as eCognition and Feature Analyst (FA) for increasing the validity and accuracy of the assessment and modelling of LU patterns and LDD status in dry land is important in the Sudan. / Im Sudan hat Land Degradation/ Desertifikation (LDD) weite Gegenden verwüstet, wobei hierbei soziale, wirtschaftliche und Umweltaspekte eine Rolle spielen. LDD wird von verschiedenen Faktoren ausgelöst, darunter Klimavariationen und menschliche Aktivitäten. Wahrscheinlich haben Landnutzungspraktiken und ihre Änderungen zu erhöhter LDD in der untersuchten Gegend beigetragen. Fernerkundungstechnologien sind sehr gute und weit entwickelte Werkzeuge um zeitliche und räumliche Informationen zur Erforschung von LDD und anderen Umweltaspekten zu ermitteln. Die Bestimmung von LDD und ihre Beziehung zur Änderung von Landnutzungsmustern (LUC) im raum-zeitlichen Maßstab ist bislang noch selten erforscht und ist ein Forschungsbereich, der für die semi-ariden Regionen des Sudan empfohlen wird. Die Studie wurde durchgeführt, um genaue und verbesserte raum-zeitliche Informationen zu gewinnen: um den Status der LDD von Vegetation und Boden zu bewerten, um den Einfluss des Landnutzungswandels auf LDD zu beurteilen und zu analysieren, und außerdem um die synergetischen Faktoren die den Landnutzungswandel und/oder LDD verursacht haben zu analysieren. Dabei wurde die semi-ariden Zone des Elgeteina Gebietes im Staat Weisser Nil (Sudan) während der vergangenen 36 Jahren unter Verwendung von geeigneter Fernerkundungs- und GIS-Technologie untersucht. Für die Studie wurden vier wolkenfreie Bilder von verschiedenen Sensoren (MSS 1973, TM 1986, ASTER 2009 and TM 2010) verwendet. Die Bilder wurden georeferenziert und radiometrische korrigiert, wobei die ENVI-FLAASH Software verwendet wurde. Anschließend wurden Teilgebiete des Untersuchungsgebietes mit einer Größe zwischen 1.600 und 2.000 Km2 ausgewählt. In der Studie fand der neue Ansatz der Integration von Vegetation und Boden Indizes und in-situ Daten Verwendung, um LDD zu bewerten. Ein Vergleich von pixel-basierter Bildanalyse (PBIA) und einem Ansatz von objekt-basierter Bildanalyse (OBIA) wurde durchgeführt, um die beste Methode der Kartierung von LUC und LDD ermitteln. Veränderungsmatrizen wurden eingesetzt, um räumlich-zeitlichen Änderungen der Landnutzung und Land Degradation abzuschätzen. Außerdem wurde ein Korrelation- und Modellierungs-Ansatz eingesetzt, um die klimatischen, sozioökonomischen und Fernerkundungsdaten zu verschmelzen und das Verhältnis zwischen den unterschiedlichen Faktoren zu bestimmen und um die Gründe für LUC und LDD zu analysieren aber auch um die Auswirkungen der Landnutzung auf LDD zu modellieren. Die Studie hat folgendes gezeigt: Die Änderungen der Landnutzungsmuster (RA, FWL and FML) fand in 1973 – 86 – 2009 statt und betraf sehr unterschiedliche Vegetationsmuster. Ebenso hatte die LUC Auswirkungen auf die Bodendegradation, was zu einer Verschiebung von Sanddünen im Zeitraum 1973-2009 führte. Landwirtschaft dominiert und hat starke Auswirkungen auf LDD, insbesondere auf die Degradation der Vegetationsbedeckung. Die Bevölkerungszunahme und der sozioökonomische Status der lokalen Bevölkerung sind die wesentlichen indirekten menschlichen Faktoren die verantwortlich für LUC und/oder LDD sind. SARVI ist etwas effizienter als NDVI, SAVI, ND4-25 und ND42-57, um den Zustand der Vegetation in semi-ariden Gebieten zu bestimmen, deshalb wurde dieser für die Studie ausgewählt. Es stellte sich heraus, dass der GSI hoch-effizient war, sowohl bei der Bestimmung der unterschiedlichen Typen von Bodendegradation als auch bei der Erstellung von Karten der obersten Bodenkorngröße, die bei der Bewertung der Landdegradation und Desertifikation half. OBIA-Fuzzy Logic Classification arbeitete dabei etwas genauer und effizienter als die PBIA-Hybrid Classification, um die Auswirkungen der Landnutzungsmuster auf LDD zu beurteilen. Als Fortsetzung der durchgeführten Arbeiten empfiehlt sich eine nochmalige Durchführung der Studie wobei anderes, hochaufgelöstes Bildmaterial und anspruchsvolle Software, wie eCognition und Feature Analyst (FA) verwendet werden sollten, um die Gültigkeit und Genauigkeit der Bewertungen und Modellierung des LU und LDD Status von Trockenland im Sudan zu beurteilen.

Due to a high population growth (approx. 2.5 % p.a) the food-sector in Syria is facing in-creasing problems. An enormous increase in population results in increased demand for food. This has adversely affected the socio-economic and ecological development in the country. Intensive use of various natural resources has led to significant changes in land use pattern, especially due to use of inappropriate methods in the agricultural sector. The increasing anthropogenic pressure on the sensitive ecological structure of the respective area causes environmental damages, in particular degradation of soil characteristics. In the semi-arid and arid eco-climatic zones vast areas are facing desertification. Soil erosion through water represents the main form of land degradation in the north-west of Syria. Particularly vulnerable are the soils with a shallow or no vegetation cover, such as the soils found in the Mediterranean hills, where olives are cultivated. For this research the Afrin region, located in the northwest of Syria, was selected as study area, in order to analyse and assess the extent of degradation. For estimation of erosion the relevant parameters of the “Universal Soil Loss Equation USLE” were used. These para-meters were adapted and integrated through remote sensing and GIS. LANDSAT TM and ASTER satellite imagery of the investigated area were used for this purpose. Data were acquired at the end of the dry season. In order to achieve an accurate evaluation and high-quality comparison of multi-temporal satellite data, imagery was firstly geometrically and atmospherically corrected and then analysed. The vegetation coverage and its current de-gradation level were investigated by spectral mixture analysis (SMA). The digital elevation model (DEM) derived from ASTER data was utilized to generate the slope gradient (S) and the slope length (L). In addition to the laboratory analysis, grain size index (GSI) and SMA were used for the characterization and mapping of soil erodibility. Land-use/land-cover classification and change detection were determined by using pixel-based classification procedures (maximum likelihood classification) and post classification methods respectively. Required samples for land cover classification of the remotely sensed data were collected during the field work, in addition to the soil samples for soil analysis. The results of this study show that advanced methods of remote sensing and GIS provide powerful tools not only for a better understanding of the land use changes, but also for an accurate assessment of land degradation and desertification. This knowledge, in turn, con-tributes highly towards developing effective and appropriate management strategies for sustainable use and conservation of natural resources in the north-west of Syria