sidies and tariffs promoting non-sustainable practices, etc. Some proven technologies for mitigating land deg­radation include improved land husbandry, use of arti­ficial and natural fertilizers, diversification and rotation of cropping systems, minimum or no-tillage, contour hedges, plowing, terracing and agroforestry practices, organic and conservation farming [CWANA Chapter 2; ESAP Chapter 5; Global Chapter 3; LAC Chapter 1; SSA Chapter 5].
•   Salinity and acidification: Causes of salinity usually re­sult from excessive irrigation and evaporation of soil moisture that draws up certain soil minerals, especially salt [CWANA Chapter 2]. Causes of acidification are related to  overextraction of basic nutrient elements through continuous harvesting and inappropriate ferti-

lizer applications. The salinity problem can be reduced by minimizing irrigation application, and lowering wa­ter tables by appropriate tree planting, drainage sys­tems; while acidification can be reduced by liming and addition of organic residues [Global Chapter 3; LAC Chapter 4].
•   Loss of biodiversity (above and below ground) and asso­ciated agroecological functions: Loss of biological diver­sity results from repeated use of monoculture practices; excessive use of agrichemicals; agricultural expansion in to fragile environments; excessive land clearance that eliminates patches of natural vegetation; and neglect of indigenous knowledge and local priorities. This may be resolved by diversified farming systems; land-use mosaics; mixed cropping systems that integrate peren-