A message of support from Soil Conservation Service of Iceland

Land degradation and desertification are a real threat to the future of mankind. Vegetation and soil is being lost at alarming rate in many parts of the world, leading to a wide range of environmental and socio- economic degradation and hazards. Close to 95% of food production is soil based. Soil is the most precious resource on Earth. With the interaction of current soil losses and projections on population growth, how can enough food be secured in the coming years? The same applies to many of the various services provided by the interlinked ecosystems of the globe. Water storage is dependant on the health of watersheds, but a growing proportion of the world’s population is already facing water shortages. Soil erosion affects about 45% of land on Earth, threatening biological diversity. Land degradation and desertification is also a large contributor to the risks of climate change, releasing about 30% of the greenhouse gases.

The United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification is of vital importance for securing continued ecosystem services, food for the growing population, and global stability. It is the best forum we have to analyse the status of global desertification, seek joint solutions, and monitor the process being made in the various countries constituting our interconnected world. The Action Plans being made under UNCCD guidelines are giving promising signs of our ability to conquer the destructive forces. However, making action plans is not enough. The more affluent countries of the world must increase their efforts in assisting countries in need with the implementation of these plans. Our common future depends on common solutions.

Desertification is a global problem, not only in its consequences, but also in its extent. It is far from being confined to land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. The world’s forests and woodlands are being reduced at an alarming rate in many parts of the world, and large areas are being overgrazed. The weakening of the vegetative cover can lead to a chain of ecosystem disturbances, reducing further the resilience of the ecosystems towards greater degradation. If prolonged, this can lead to desertification in a wide range of moisture regimes.

During the last millennium Iceland has lost 50% of its vegetation and 95% of tree cover. Barren deserts have replaced vegetation and thick soils regardless of ample precipitation. With the oldest Soil Conservation Service in the world, established in 1907, Iceland has gained immense experience and knowledge in combating land degradation and desertification. Further loss of fertility and biological diversity has been prevented in large areas. Ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration through revegetation also demonstrates the synergic effects of mitigating land degradation and desertification on other environmental goals.

The global severity of land degradation and desertification makes increased mitigation essential. The Convention on Combating Desertification certainly has a vital role in securing the well being of mankind in the future. Wishing the UNCCD all the best in its important role.

Sveinn Runolfsson
Director
Soil Conservation Service of Iceland