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Fostering Desertification Control for Sustainable Development: Soil and Water Conservation Perspectives

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Water".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 1416

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Interests: desertification control; dryland agriculture; irrigation and nutrient management; organic amendments; soil health; climate change; desertification control; crop Modeling; soil improvement; irrigation management; oasis agriculture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Desertification is a global challenge severely affecting human well-being, food security, biodiversity, socioeconomic stability, and sustainable development. It threatens dryland areas, which comprise about 41% of the global land area, supporting 44% of croplands, 50% of livestock, and over two billion people. Climate change, combined with human activities such as population growth, excessive agriculture, overgrazing, unsustainable water use, and extreme weather events, has significantly accelerated desertification worldwide. Addressing this issue is crucial to preventing the degradation of renewable natural resources, including soil, vegetation, and water. In line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 15.3, which aims to combat desertification and achieve a land degradation-neutral world by 2030, this Special Issue will serve as a premier platform for presenting the latest research, and advancements in soil and water conservation for desertification control. Key topics include soil erosion control, sustainable land management, water harvesting, the role of vegetation in desert ecosystems, and the socio-economic aspects of desertification. Additionally, the Special Issue will explore the impacts of climate change on desertification and the potential of emerging technologies in land degradation management. The Special Issue will contribute to current discussions on sustainable progress and offer practical ideas for decision-makers, professionals, and scholars committed to reversing land deterioration and promoting resilience in vulnerable ecosystems.

Dr. Zeeshan Ahmed
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • desertification
  • climate change
  • vegetation restoration
  • food security
  • soil erosion
  • sustainable livelihood
  • water harvesting

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 3455 KiB  
Article
Ecosystem Service Changes and Water Management in the Manas River Basin
by Huiying Zhang, Zeeshan Ahmed, Wei Han and Gang Sun
Water 2024, 16(24), 3585; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243585 (registering DOI) - 12 Dec 2024
Viewed by 972
Abstract
Arid river basins face critical ecological challenges due to climate change and human activities, exacerbating water scarcity and disrupting ecosystem functions. This study assesses the spatial variability and ecosystem service value (ESV) dynamics of lakes and wetlands in the Manas River Basin, an [...] Read more.
Arid river basins face critical ecological challenges due to climate change and human activities, exacerbating water scarcity and disrupting ecosystem functions. This study assesses the spatial variability and ecosystem service value (ESV) dynamics of lakes and wetlands in the Manas River Basin, an arid region in northern Xinjiang, from 1990 to 2020. Using the InVEST model and structural equation modeling, we analyzed the climatic and anthropogenic factors affecting midstream wetlands and the downstream lake. The results suggest a potential inverse dynamic relationship between lake expansion and wetland shrinkage, particularly in 2003 and 2017, indicating a competitive hydrological interaction, although our linear regression analysis did not capture a strong relationship. Wetland ESV has notably declined, driven by reduced water availability and increased cultivation, whereas lake ESV has remained stable due to water management practices. Precipitation, evapotranspiration, and temperature negatively impact wetland ESV, while human activities and temperature positively affect lake ESV. These findings highlight the need for tailored water management strategies to address the distinct vulnerabilities of lakes and wetlands, emphasizing balanced water distribution and the mitigation of climate and human impacts to preserve the Manas River Basin’s ecological health. Full article
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