Desertification is a prisoner of history: An essay on why young scientists should care
Abstract
<jats:p>Since its origins, the concept of desertification has been shrouded in controversy
and ambiguity. As a result, no single definition of the term has been acceptable;
there is no agreement on its extent or seriousness; and the solutions proposed are
often disparate and counterproductive. This essay suggests all of this is due to the
concept of desertification being a permanent ‘prisoner of history’, a historical process
led by the United Nations Convention on Desertification (UNCCD). In this essay, I
describe why the prisoner of history narrative applies to the concept of desertification.
To do this, I review the historical events that built a metaphorical prison for desertification;
show why definitions of the term ‘desertification’ are products of this prison; describe
how so much misunderstanding and confusion in this field has led to real, negative
consequences; and lastly, provide recommendations to young scientists as to how to
avoid becoming incarcerated in this prison.</jats:p>
Type
Journal articlePermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/24152Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.7818/ecos.2302Publication Info
Reynolds, James F (n.d.). Desertification is a prisoner of history: An essay on why young scientists should
care. Ecosistemas, 30(3). pp. 2302-2302. 10.7818/ecos.2302. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/24152.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
James F. Reynolds
Professor Emeritus
Integrated assessment of complex human-environmental systems; Land degradation and
desertification in global drylands; Conceptual frameworks and models to advance the
science of dryland development

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