Most ecosystems have been intentionally or unintentionally modified to increase the supply of certain services. Land degradation, therefore, particularly drives drought risk, but can also drive climate change, leading to increases in average (mean) temperatures and decreases in mean precipitation at the local level. Poor rural households in developing countries suffer disproportionately from land degradation, the direct effects of which include losses in soil organic content, nutrients and water storage and regulation, which in turn lead to a loss of productive capacity and wildlife habitat. In the low input-low output agricultural systems common to poor rural areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa, nutrient inputs to the soil are almost always less than the outputs. Land degradation is both a cause and effect of rural poverty and vulnerability. See a related story: 'Narco-deforestation' may boost disaster risks in Central America.ĥ2% of land in Africa is considered degraded. Changes to the environment can influence the frequency and intensity of hazards, as well as our exposure and vulnerability to these hazards. For instance, deforestation of slopes often leads to an increase in landslide hazard and removal of mangroves can increase the damage caused by storm surges. This degradation and the associated decline of ecosystems and their invaluable services (the benefits we obtain) are driving disaster risk. The reduction of the capacity of the environment to meet social and ecological objectives and needs is described as environmental degradation. This leads to increased risk from disasters, and in turn, natural hazards can further degrade the environment.
Over consumption of natural resources results in environmental degradation, reducing the effectiveness of essential ecosystem services, such as the mitigation of floods and landslides.
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Environmental degradation is both a driver and consequence of disasters, reducing the capacity of the environment to meet social and ecological needs.
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