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Land use intensification affects the relative importance of climate variation and active land degradation: convergence of six regions around the world
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  • María E. Sanjuan,
  • Jaime Martinez-Valderrama,
  • Alberto Ruiz,
  • Gabriel del Barrio
María E. Sanjuan
Estacion Experimental de Zonas Aridas

Corresponding Author:marieta@eeza.csic.es

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Jaime Martinez-Valderrama
Universidad de Alicante
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Alberto Ruiz
Estacion Experimental de Zonas Aridas
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Gabriel del Barrio
Estacion Experimental de Zonas Aridas
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Abstract

We explored the relative importance of climate oscillations and human-driven disturbances on the change of vegetation biomass in agroecosystems, and whether it is associated with land use. The study was carried out in the drylands of the Iberian Peninsula, NW Maghreb, Palestinian West Bank, Mozambique, China and NE Brazil, using satellite time-series and the corresponding climate fields, at ten-year observation periods with spatial and temporal resolutions of 1000 m (250 m in Palestine) and one year, respectively. For each region, we separated the relative weights of climate and time by fitting multiple-stepwise regressions to a vegetation index as the dependent variable, and annual aridity (Aridity) and year number (Time) as predictors. The relative strength of the resulting standard partial regression coefficients was then compared by the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, and their combined associations with land uses were determined using chi-square tests. Some points of convergence are: 1. The relative weights of Aridity and Time depend on particular regional conditions and can be determined. 2. Such weights are associated with land use intensification, such that if vegetation increases over Time, Aridity increases its relative importance with intensification; if vegetation is degrading, Aridity is always more important than Time. 3. Aridity is an indicator of vulnerability to climate warming. Resilience can be improved by reducing land use intensification. 4. Vulnerability may worsen under constant climate if agriculture is intensified. These patterns enhance an integrated understanding of Sustainable Development Goals Indicator 15.3.1, particularly its land cover and productivity trend components.
18 Dec 2021Submitted to Land Degradation & Development
23 Dec 2021Submission Checks Completed
23 Dec 2021Assigned to Editor
29 Dec 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Jan 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Feb 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
22 Feb 20221st Revision Received
23 Feb 2022Submission Checks Completed
23 Feb 2022Assigned to Editor
14 Mar 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
24 Mar 20222nd Revision Received
25 Mar 2022Submission Checks Completed
25 Mar 2022Assigned to Editor
25 Apr 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
25 Apr 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
30 Aug 2022Published in Land Degradation & Development volume 33 issue 14 on pages 2487-2499. 10.1002/ldr.4326