Combating Desertification and Land Degradation

Professor Janet Hooke geomorphologist, hydrologist and physical geographer with research interests in catchment processes and dynamics, flood incidence and impacts, connectivity, vegetation-flow interactions; impact of environmental and hydrological changes; catchment and channel management; sustainable management of catchments. Research on sustainable management of erosion and land degradation. Applied projects in coastal processes and sediment systems; sustainable management strategies on coasts. · International reputation for geomorphological and landscape dynamics research. · Extensive publications on fluvial environments and environmental management. · 30 years experience of field-based research projects. · Research Group leader, and director of major research projects · Chair succession, British Society for Geomorphology 1998-2001, Hon. Sec. 1989-92 · On Editorial Board of journals Geomorphology and Catena · Coordinator of EU project RECONDES examining spatial strategies of mitigating land degradation; production of practical guidelines · Projects on geomorphological sensitivity and opportunities for channel restoration and flood mitigation of channel instability in Britain and implications for policy; evaluation of strategies for conservation of fluvial scientific sites. · Research into effects of vegetation in channels and catchments and use in management of erosion and sedimentation in semi-arid lands.

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION.- 1.1 Context and problem.-1.2 Processes and connectivity concept.-1.3 Benefits of use of vegetation.- 1.4 Approach.- 1.5 Research design and study area.- 1.6 Conclusion.-Chapter 2 MECHANISMS OF DEGRADATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF CONNECTIVITY AND EROSION HOTSPOTS.- 2.1 Soil erosion and degradation in desertified Mediterranean lands.- 2.2 Processes.- 2.3 Connectivity concept and methods.- 2.4 Methods and results at various scales.- 2.5 Conclusions.-Chapter 3 CONDITIONS FOR GROWTH OF PLANTS.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Types of plants in Mediterranean environment and land units.-3.3 Assessment of conditions for plants.-3.4 Summary of results on required conditions and implications for restoration.-Chapter 4 EFFECTIVENESS OF PLANTS AND VEGETATION IN EROSION CONTROL AND RESTORATION.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Land units.- 4.3 Role of plants in reducing concentrated flow erosion rates.- 4.4 Effects of vegetation in channels.- 4.5 Summary.- Chapter 5 SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION OF SPATIAL STRATEGIES FOR USE OF VEGETATION TO MINIMISE CONNECTIVITY.-5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Application at hierarchical scales.- 5.3 Guidelines.- 5.4 Summary.- 5.5 Wider application and global implications.- REFERENCES.