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

关于荒漠化的原因和程度，以及荒漠化对人类福祉的影响中哪一部分是可以管理的，以及如何管理，存在着很大的分歧。 必须发展一种新的荒漠化综合模式，这种模式的基础是荒漠化的气象和生态方面（生物物理因素）以及荒漠化的人的方面（社会经济因素）的同时作用。该提案将建立ARIDnet，为开发和测试这一新范式提供智力领导。计划开展的活动：ARIDnet将（一）举办讲习班，讨论2001年Dahlem荒漠化问题会议的成果-Dahlem荒漠化范例，以便进行严格的评价和完善;（二）组建工作组，开展比较案例研究，以检验Dahlem荒漠化范例;（三）对荒漠化问题的重要性、何时何地重要以及为什么重要进行定量综合;（iv）招募新的研究人员和利害关系方加入ARIDnet，以便能够对荒漠化问题制定一个基础广泛和有用的办法;（v）维持一个网站，支持联网活动。预期影响：围绕荒漠化主题的争论在旨在帮助世界上许多最贫困人口的政策和管理计划中造成了混乱。因此，迫切需要新的跨学科方法来解决这一全球性问题。ARIDnet将发挥领导作用，支持正在进行的国际讨论，并加强包括本科生在内的研究人员的招聘，以研究与全球荒漠化有关的原则、标准和政策，特别是《联合国防治荒漠化公约》所概述的原则、标准和政策。

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.