Includes bibliographical references (p. 261-285) and index.

Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Land degradation: an overview -- Why is land degradation occurring? -- Land degradation through global pollution: the 'greenhouse effect' -- Land degradation through global pollution -- Degradation of tropical rainforests, tropical/subtropical seasonally dry and tropical/subtropical upland forests, woodlands and scrublands -- Degradation of seasonally dry tropical/subtropical and Mediterranean woodlands and scrublands, temperate and high-latitude forests -- The degradation of wetlands, tundra, uplands and islands -- Land degradation in drylands -- Non-erosive soil degradation -- Erosive soil degradation -- Land degradation through warfare, mineral extraction, industrial and urban development and increased movement of organisms -- Conclusion -- References -- Index.