Global Deserts Outlook

Publisher: UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity), SBSTTA (Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, Publication date: June 2006 , Published in series: Global Environment Outlook (GEO)
Global Deserts Outlook examines the historical context, location and extent of the world’s deserts, as well as the fragile ecologies and unique biota of deserts. The report also aims to highlight the importance of desert ecosystem services, such as crops, oil and mineral deposits and tourism, and the challenges faced by countries with desert areas face and by their populations, and provide an outlook for the future.

See the Global Deserts Outlook web-site for full details.

Climate change scenarios for desert areas

SRES scenarios show the period 2071 to 2100 relative to the period 1961 to 1990, and were performed by AOGCMs. Scenarios A2 and B2 are shown as no AOGCM runs were available for the other SRES [..] 		Climate change scenarios for desert areas

Human impact in desert areas 1700,2000 and 2050

The impact of human activities on wilderness qualities has been modelled using the GLOBIO-2 model. The model uses infrastructure and settlements as proxies and measure the degree by which habitats [..] 		Human impact in desert areas 1700,2000 and 2050

Land cover changes in desert areas 1700,1900,2000 and 2050

The main land use change in desert areas has been the conversion of relatively barren drylands for agricultural needs, partially through irrigation. The conversion has historically primarily been to [..] 		Land cover changes in desert areas 1700,1900,2000 and 2050

Relative biodiversity scenarios for deserts 2000-2050

The relative species abundance, as a ratio of the biodiversity before the advent of man, is high in desert areas. The areas are relatively pristine and has seen little changes induced by human [..] 		Relative biodiversity scenarios for deserts 2000-2050