Land Degradation Neutrality in Drylands through Integrated Drought Monitoring and Nature-Based Land Restoration

Land degradation reduces soil productivity, water retention, and food security in dryland regions. Around 40 percent of the world's land is degraded and affects nearly half of the global population. Drylands remain the most exposed systems.This proposal studies how integrated drought monitoring and land restoration actions can support the implementation of Land Degradation Neutrality targets in Mediterranean drylands.Focus on linking climate indicators, soil health data, and restoration strategies with policy tools used under the LDN framework.Research objectivesAssess drought patterns and land degradation trends in Mediterranean drylands using climate indicators such as the Standardized Precipitation Index and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration IndexEvaluate restoration interventions that improve soil function, vegetation cover, and water efficiencyDevelop a decision support framework that links monitoring results with LDN indicators used by national governmentsTest nature-based restoration approaches in pilot landscapes such as rangelands and rainfed agricultural systemsProduce policy recommendations for national LDN target implementation