IUCN is engaged in a number of initiatives to promote sustainable land management and reversing of land degradation in the world’s drylands, through strengthening of natural resource governance and connecting markets for sustainable biodiversity management. The IUCN Global Drylands Initiative was awarded a grant by the Economics of Land Degradation initiative (ELD) in September 2013 - 2014 to conduct economic valuations of ecosystem services in three countries – Mali, Sudan and Jordan.
This study will primarily address the development of a methodology that countries affected by land degradation are able to apply. It will build on preliminary economic valuations conducted in Mali, Jordan and Sudan in 2012-13 to provide more detailed analysis of costs and benefits of interventions undertaken, information on non-market values of ecosystem services, improved understanding of the value of ecosystem services to local livelihoods and improved monitoring and evaluation for total ecosystem assessments. The study will feed into on-going dialogue based on the existing initiatives such as the European Commission funded project related to securing rights and restoring lands for improved livelihoods project. The study is currently underway.
