RCN: ARIDnet for the Americas: A Research Network for Testing New Paradigms for Global Desertification

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There is a great deal of disagreement about the causes and extent of desertification and about what part ofits impact on human well-being is manageable, and how. A new synthetic paradigm fordesertification must be developed, one that is based on the simultaneous roles of the meteorological andecological dimensions of desertification (the biophysical factors) and the human dimensions ofdesertification (the socio-economic factors). This proposal will establish ARIDnet to provide theintellectual leadership for developing and testing this new paradigm. Planned activities: ARIDnet will (i)conduct workshops to debate the Dahlem Desertification Paradigm (DDP)a product of the 2001Dahlem Conference on desertificationfor critical evaluation and refinement; (ii) formulate workinggroups to develop comparative case studies to test the DDP; (iii) conduct a quantitative synthesis of whatmatters in desertification, when and where it matters, and why; (iv) recruit new researchers andstakeholders into ARIDnet so a broad-based and useful approach to desertification problems can bedeveloped; and (v) maintain a website to support networking activity. Anticipated impact: Argumentssurrounding the topic of desertification create confusion in policy and management programs intended tohelp many of the worlds poorest people. Hence, there is an urgent need for new, interdisciplinaryapproaches for addressing this global problem. ARIDnet will provide the leadership to support on-goinginternational discussions and strengthen recruitment of researchers, including undergraduate students, tostudy the principles, criteria, and policies related to global desertification, especially as outlined under theUN Convention to Combat Desertification.