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This book explains the methods and results of a major research project, RECONDES, that was undertaken to develop strategies of effective use of vegetation to combat desertification and land degradation by water. The research approach combined understanding of the processes of erosion and land degradation with identification of suitable and effective plants and types of vegetation that could be used to decrease the intensity of soil erosion. The project uses the relatively new concept of physical connectivity of water and sediment in the landscape. The premise of the approach is that sediment connectivity can be reduced through the development of vegetation in the flow pathways, and that this approach is more sustainable than use of physical structure. It required research into the locations and characteristics of these pathways and into properties of suitable plants and species at a range of scales and land units. These components are combined to produce a spatial strategy of use of suitable plants at the most strategic points in the landscape, designed for restoration or mitigation of land degredation. Additional benefits of use of vegetation as a strategy of sustainable management are outlined. The methods and restoration strategy were developed in relation to the dryland environments of the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, involving field measurements, monitoring and modelling in the study area in Southeast Spain, the driest and most vulnerable region in Europe to desertification.

This paper explores the adoption of an ecosystem-based approach for adaptation to global changes in the context of Africa, with particular focus on climate change. It explains the relevance and benefits of ecosystem-based pathways for climate adaptation and socio-ecological resilience, analyzes the effects of climate change on African ecosystems and introduces the concept of dynamic landscape of ecosystem-based adaptation pathways. The paper also explores the costs associated to applying an ecosystem-based approach for adaptation using a top-down financial flows analysis, and a bottom-up assessment of specific ecosystem-based adaptation measures and outlines future research and action needs.

This video, produced by the MARP Network, documents some success stories related to the implementation of Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration--or "re-greening"--by local farmers in Burkina Faso. The farmers shown here are using low-tech, low-cost methods outlined in Improving Land and Water Management to increase their crop yields and improve their livelihoods.

This case study examines Vietnam’s efforts to use mangroves as an adaptation approach, and illustrates how governance plays a crucial role in the success of such actions. Large-scale mangrove restoration and rehabilitation has been institutionalized as key adaptation interventions in Vietnam, with very different results in the north and south. Vietnam’s experience suggests that adaptation approaches with a single objective – such as protecting coastal infrastructure from sea level rise – can lead to conflicts of interest that hinder implementation, especially when local communities are not involved. Incorporating adaptation within a comprehensive development planning process has had greater success in providing benefits to all stakeholders.

Proceedings of the workshop "FLR in Central and Northern Europe". The purpose of the workshop was to demonstrate how the international forest policy dialogue can be translated into practical actions on the ground. The objectives were to: ● Show how forest landscape restoration might contribute towards meeting broader national economic, social, cultural, environmental and development goals, and to encourage further forest landscape restoration action on the ground in the Central and Northern European region. ● Improve links between the international forest policy processes and practical forest management activities on the ground by demonstrating how ongoing forest landscape restoration activities can play a significant role in meeting national commitments in relation to a range of international agreements and decisions. ● Encourage both the political support and technical expertise to implement the commitments of international and regional forest related commitments related to forest landscape restoration and demonstrate potential synergies between them within the context of field experience from forest landscape restoration in the Central and Northern European region. ● Facilitate partnerships between stakeholders dealing with environmental and/or socioeconomic aspects of forest landscape restoration in the Central and Northern European region and address the evolving role of forests in the region. ● Demonstrate how the research community could contribute in promoting the forest landscape restoration.