Sustainable Land Management: Opportunities and Challenges

Land is an essential entity to human well-being, similar to air and water, yet its capacity is finite. Both natural and human activities are degrading land, and it demands scientific management to fulfil the needs of present and future populations. The quality of life is affected by land degradation, and the growing demands due to the ever-increasing human population make land degradation neutrality (LDN) increasingly critical. Setting and achieving LDN targets are essential for all of us at the national as well as global levels; however, it is immensely difficult for anyone. This chapter provides a comprehensive understanding of the significance of land and its sustainable management for food security and essential services that affect community livelihoods. The chapter also discusses the drivers of land degradation and the repercussions of land degradation. A compilation of global initiatives, land resource databases, information portals and products, and best practices for sustainable land management (SLM) practices and LDN has also been presented in this opening chapter. As a complete collection of SLM principles and advancements, this chapter addresses present issues and possible prospects through different chapters covering a range of issues, tools and techniques, knowledge resources, and other valuable information for the purpose of learning and dealing with land degradation, SLM, and LDN.