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Comprehensive Overview of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)

Key Concepts and Global Initiatives for Sustainable Land Management

Comprehensive Overview of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)

  • 29 Apr, 2024
  • 235

What is Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)?

Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) refers to a condition where the quantity and quality of land resources required to support ecosystem functions and services remain stable or improve over specified time periods and geographical areas. This concept is vital for enhancing food security and maintaining ecosystem health.

Why is LDN Important?

LDN plays a critical role in preventing the ongoing loss of productive land. By balancing the rates of land degradation with effective restoration and sustainable management practices, LDN ensures the health of land resources. This balance is essential for supporting biodiversity, food security, and the livelihoods of billions globally.

How is LDN Achieved?

Achieving LDN involves three essential actions:

  • Avoiding new degradation: Maintaining the health of existing land resources.
  • Reducing existing degradation: Implementing sustainable land management practices that enhance land productivity, biodiversity, and soil health.
  • Restoring degraded lands: Bringing them back to a natural or more productive condition.

Objectives of the UNCCD for LDN

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) outlines several objectives for LDN, including:

  • Maintaining or improving the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services.
  • Enhancing land productivity to support global food security.
  • Increasing resilience of land and the populations that depend on it.
  • Seeking synergies with various social, economic, and environmental objectives.
  • Promoting responsible and inclusive land governance.

Global Participation in LDN Initiatives

As of now, 131 out of 196 countries have committed to achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030. Additionally, over 100 countries are involved in the Changwon Initiative, which facilitates national voluntary target-setting processes aimed at achieving LDN. This widespread commitment illustrates the global resolve to combat land degradation under the framework of the UNCCD.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)?
Answer: LDN is a concept where the quality and quantity of land resources are maintained or improved, supporting ecosystem functions and food security.

Q2. Why is LDN crucial for the environment?
Answer: LDN is vital as it aims to halt land degradation, ensuring ecosystem health and supporting biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods.

Q3. How can countries achieve LDN?
Answer: Achieving LDN involves avoiding new degradation, reducing existing degradation, and restoring degraded lands through sustainable practices.

Q4. What are the UNCCD's goals for LDN?
Answer: The UNCCD aims to maintain ecosystem services, enhance land productivity, increase resilience, and promote responsible land governance under LDN.

Q5. How many countries are committed to LDN?
Answer: Currently, 131 countries have pledged to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030, showing a strong global commitment to sustainability.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What does Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) aim to achieve?
A) Increase urbanization
B) Maintain or improve land resources
C) Promote industrial growth
D) Decrease agricultural productivity
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which organization is primarily responsible for the UNCCD objectives?
A) UNDP
B) WHO
C) UNCCD
D) FAO
Correct Answer: C

Question 3: How many countries are currently participating in LDN initiatives?
A) 100
B) 131
C) 196
D) 50
Correct Answer: B

Question 4: What is one of the main actions to achieve LDN?
A) Increase land degradation
B) Restore degraded lands
C) Promote urban sprawl
D) Limit agricultural practices
Correct Answer: B

Question 5: What does sustainable land management aim to improve?
A) Land degradation
B) Land productivity
C) Urban development
D) Industrial waste
Correct Answer: B

Question 6: What is a key benefit of achieving LDN?
A) Decreased biodiversity
B) Enhanced food security
C) Increased pollution
D) Urban migration
Correct Answer: B

Question 7: What is a major goal of the UNCCD regarding ecosystem services?
A) To eliminate natural resources
B) To maintain or improve their delivery
C) To reduce agricultural land
D) To promote deforestation
Correct Answer: B

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