Land degradation, conservation and globalization: a Mediterranean perspective LOCAL ENVIRONMENTS, SUSTAINABILITY AND GLOBAL TRADES: THEORETICAL ISSUES LAND DEGRADATION, CONSERVATION AND GLOBALIZATION: A MEDITERRANEAN PERSPECTIVE

To cite th is article / Pou r citer cet article ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT The era of globalization poses new challenges to the sustainable use of soil and water as rapid population growth, expansion of urban areas and creation of new markets, both local and afar, elevate production demand and expectations on the fragile soils. One of the main objectives of the Concerted Action has been to co-ordinate research efforts on the sustainable use of soil and water at the interface between urbanization, agriculture and tourism. But how have existing attempts to manage soil and water resources faired? The paper explores the conflicts between the control of land use for the sustainable use of soil and water and the pressure for land use change exerted by opportunities in the globalizing economy. Promoting sustainable use of soil and water is a difficult task in the Mediterranean environments as it requires a sound basis for the scientific judgement of sustainability, alternatives to market controls on land use decisions and effective dissemination of appropriate measures and technologies