Desertification and Land Degradation: Tracking Dryland Vulnerability and Community-Based Land Restoration in Arid Regions
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Abstract
Desertification and land degradation continue to threaten the ecological stability and livelihoods of nearly one-third of the world's population living in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions. This paper examines dryland vulnerability through the integration of remote sensing indicators and community-based restoration practices, aiming to bridge the gap between scientific monitoring and grassroots adaptation. Using a mixed-methods research design that combines Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time-series analysis with structured household surveys across three representative dryland case sites, the study classifies degradation severity, identifies key anthropogenic and climatic drivers, and evaluates the outcomes of community-led restoration interventions such as agroforestry, rainwater harvesting, and assisted natural regeneration. Results indicate a measurable decline in vegetation greenness in high-vulnerability zones between 2015 and 2024, alongside significant gains in vegetation cover, tree survival, and household income in areas where community-based sustainable land management was implemented. The findings reinforce that combining geospatial vulnerability tracking with locally governed restoration strategies produces more resilient and equitable outcomes than top-down interventions alone. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for scaling community-based land restoration within national Land Degradation Neutrality frameworks.
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