Land degradation neutrality: a pathway to achieving sustainable development goals and ecosystem resilience

Abstract Land degradation poses a significant global threat, undermining ecosystems, food security, and livelihoods. As a response, land degradation neutrality (LDN) has emerged as a pivotal strategy within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.3, aiming to halt and reverse land deg...

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Main Authors: Sukhendu Nandi, Soumyadeep Das, Subrata Gorain, Suman Dutta, Malini Roy Choudhury, Sumanta Das
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Discover Soil
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44378-025-00078-9
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author Sukhendu Nandi
Soumyadeep Das
Subrata Gorain
Suman Dutta
Malini Roy Choudhury
Sumanta Das
author_facet Sukhendu Nandi
Soumyadeep Das
Subrata Gorain
Suman Dutta
Malini Roy Choudhury
Sumanta Das
author_sort Sukhendu Nandi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Land degradation poses a significant global threat, undermining ecosystems, food security, and livelihoods. As a response, land degradation neutrality (LDN) has emerged as a pivotal strategy within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.3, aiming to halt and reverse land degradation by 2030. Despite its significance, achieving LDN remains a complex challenge due to financial limitations, fragmented policies, and inadequate monitoring mechanisms. This review critically examines LDN’s role in fostering sustainable development and ecosystem resilience by balancing land degradation with restoration through practices such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and ecosystem-based management. The study identifies key research gaps, including the need for innovative financing strategies, integrated policy frameworks, and effective monitoring tools to track LDN progress. Our analysis highlights the socio-economic and environmental co-benefits of LDN, such as enhanced agricultural productivity, improved biodiversity, and strengthened climate resilience through carbon sequestration. Methodologically, the paper synthesizes global and regional case studies, offering insights into successful LDN strategies and their scalability. The findings underscore that achieving LDN by 2030 requires coordinated global collaboration, policy coherence, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. Overall, this review positions LDN as a crucial pathway for combating desertification, ensuring food security, and building climate-resilient ecosystems, reinforcing its integral role in advancing global sustainability efforts. Graphical abstract
format Article
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issn 3005-1223
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spelling doaj-art-cd3a27bd078a4d4393597b52eba1bfc32025-08-20T03:47:24ZengSpringerDiscover Soil3005-12232025-06-012112910.1007/s44378-025-00078-9Land degradation neutrality: a pathway to achieving sustainable development goals and ecosystem resilienceSukhendu Nandi0Soumyadeep Das1Subrata Gorain2Suman Dutta3Malini Roy Choudhury4Sumanta Das5Division of Agricultural Economics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research InstituteDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Uttar Banga Krishi ViswavidyalayaDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati (Central University)Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research InstituteSchool of Environment and Disaster Management, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research InstituteSchool of Environment and Disaster Management, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research InstituteAbstract Land degradation poses a significant global threat, undermining ecosystems, food security, and livelihoods. As a response, land degradation neutrality (LDN) has emerged as a pivotal strategy within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.3, aiming to halt and reverse land degradation by 2030. Despite its significance, achieving LDN remains a complex challenge due to financial limitations, fragmented policies, and inadequate monitoring mechanisms. This review critically examines LDN’s role in fostering sustainable development and ecosystem resilience by balancing land degradation with restoration through practices such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and ecosystem-based management. The study identifies key research gaps, including the need for innovative financing strategies, integrated policy frameworks, and effective monitoring tools to track LDN progress. Our analysis highlights the socio-economic and environmental co-benefits of LDN, such as enhanced agricultural productivity, improved biodiversity, and strengthened climate resilience through carbon sequestration. Methodologically, the paper synthesizes global and regional case studies, offering insights into successful LDN strategies and their scalability. The findings underscore that achieving LDN by 2030 requires coordinated global collaboration, policy coherence, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. Overall, this review positions LDN as a crucial pathway for combating desertification, ensuring food security, and building climate-resilient ecosystems, reinforcing its integral role in advancing global sustainability efforts. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s44378-025-00078-9Land degradation neutralitySustainable development goalsEcosystem restorationClimate resilienceCarbon sequestrationPolicy coherence
spellingShingle Sukhendu Nandi
Soumyadeep Das
Subrata Gorain
Suman Dutta
Malini Roy Choudhury
Sumanta Das
Land degradation neutrality: a pathway to achieving sustainable development goals and ecosystem resilience
Discover Soil
Land degradation neutrality
Sustainable development goals
Ecosystem restoration
Climate resilience
Carbon sequestration
Policy coherence
title Land degradation neutrality: a pathway to achieving sustainable development goals and ecosystem resilience
title_full Land degradation neutrality: a pathway to achieving sustainable development goals and ecosystem resilience
title_fullStr Land degradation neutrality: a pathway to achieving sustainable development goals and ecosystem resilience
title_full_unstemmed Land degradation neutrality: a pathway to achieving sustainable development goals and ecosystem resilience
title_short Land degradation neutrality: a pathway to achieving sustainable development goals and ecosystem resilience
title_sort land degradation neutrality a pathway to achieving sustainable development goals and ecosystem resilience
topic Land degradation neutrality
Sustainable development goals
Ecosystem restoration
Climate resilience
Carbon sequestration
Policy coherence
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44378-025-00078-9
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