Soil degradation

Dirt, soil, call it what you want--it's everywhere we go. It is the root of our existence, supporting our feet, our farms, our cities. This fascinating yet disquieting book finds, however, that we are running out of dirt, and it's no laughing matter. An engaging natural and cultural history of soil that sweeps from ancient civilizations to modern environmental calamities, Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations explores the compelling idea that we are--and have long been--using up Earth's soil.

This report summarizes the numerous activities implemented and documents prepared by the national and local-level expert groups, and presents the valuable lessons learned. The report will provide an excellent reference for all stakeholders involved in the development of legal and policy frameworks to combat landscape degradation (LD), not only in the People's Republic of China (PRC), but also in other regions with similar LD and demographic problems, like central Asia and Africa.

This is a unique publication relating to legal frameworks of natural resources management. Following the “Legal and Institutional Frameworks for Sustainable Soils” (EPLP 45), this publication contributes to the revision of existing, and drafting of new, legislation relating to soils. It highlights the need for national soil policy, and sets out a soil management plan. It proposes legal and institutional elements that specifically address the needs of disadvantaged people, particularly women.