Desertification includes land degradation due to both climatic and anthropogenic causes, where land includes water, soil, and the biosphere. This book presents the findings from the European Community's MEDALUS project, which was formed to understand and manage semi arid environments that are undergoing great change.

Desertification is land degradation in arid and semi-arid regions from both climatic and anthropogenic causes. The Northern Mediterranean with its irregular rainfall, poor soils, abandonment of traditional agriculture and unsustainable water exploitation has been recognised as a region with increasing desertification problems.

The MEDALUS project was set up to improve the scientific basis for understanding and managing semi-arid environments that are undergoing great change. The material presented includes the results of interdisciplinary in-depth investigations undertaken over the last 10 years. It will provide a unique collection of research results that will assist rural planners, and regional and national authorities in preparing plans for mitigation. Includes:

• Field based research carried out in the MEDALUS project
• Authors with first hand research experience of their material
• Results of direct applicability to land use management in Mediterranean environments
• Detailed thematic and spatially-based analyses
• Original material based on specific case studies

Of particular interest to geographers, ecologists, agronomists, rural planners, and all authorities on desertification problems in Mediterranean environments, from both scientific and land use management perspectives. A practical contribution to undergraduate and postgraduate university courses on the Mediterranean environment, and a useful reference source for secondary education.