ABSTRACT
Human-induced land degradation as a central theme of desertification in the world refers to the decline or loss of biological or economic productivity caused by human activities. According to the assessment of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), about 3.6 billion ha of land in over 100 countries have been affected by desertification or land degradation. The direct economic loss is equivalent to 42.3 billion U.S. dollars, and indirect loss is two to three times or even ten times higher. The annual average direct investment planned to be used in combating intensively degraded land is 15.2 to 38 billion U.S. dollars in the world, and the indirect investment is several times higher (UNEP, 1992). The eventual result of land degradation, in addition to poverty, is a possible threat to regional and global security.
