Research themes overview

The research themes are linked in a four-phase methodology that is replicated in each of the »Study sites.

Phase A: Establish contexts & goals	»Theme 1. Study site contexts & goals: local desertification extent and impact
	Socio-cultural, economic and environmental contexts	»Information review »DESIRE's study sites
	Stakeholders' goals and drivers of change	»Desertification drivers & the policy context »Stakeholders & their sustainability goals
	»Theme 2. Assessment with land degradation indicators
	Status of land degradation, sustainable land management and risk	»Mapping desertification extent »Identifiying indicators »Evaluating and shortlisting of indicators »Improving indicators »Desertification risk assessment tool
Phase B: Identify, evaluate and select SLM options	»Theme 3. Potential prevention & mitigation strategies
	Identification, documentation and evaluation of sustainable land management options	»Identifying sustainable land management strategies »Evaluating strategies
	Prioritize and select remediation options with stakeholders	»Selecting strategies for field testing

Phase C: Trial SLM options and model regional effects	»Theme 4. Implementing & monitoring field trials
	Trial SLM technologies in field experiments, including scientific and stakeholder monitoring	»General measuring and monitoring methodologies »Field experiments: design and implementation »Local results and conclusions
	»Theme 5. Regional scale remediation solutions
	Biophysical and economic effects at field and regional scale	»Model descriptions »Model applications
Phase D: Conclusions and key messages for extension & policy	»Theme 6. Facilitating dissemination
	Evaluation of remediation options and preparation of recommendations	»Evaluation of remediation recommendations by stakeholders
	Strategy for disseminating recommendations for extension and national policy	»Guidance »Examples