Desertification is a prisoner of history: An essay on why young scientists should care

IF 0.7 Q4 ECOLOGY
Ecosistemas Pub Date : 2021-12-24 DOI:10.7818/ecos.2302
James F. Reynolds
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引用次数: 4

Abstract

Since its origins, the concept of desertification has been shrouded in controversy and ambiguity. As a result, no single definition of the term has been acceptable; there is no agreement on its extent or seriousness; and the solutions proposed are often disparate and counterproductive. This essay suggests all of this is due to the concept of desertification being a permanent ‘prisoner of history’, a historical process led by the United Nations Convention on Desertification (UNCCD). In this essay, I describe why the prisoner of history narrative applies to the concept of desertification. To do this, I review the historical events that built a metaphorical prison for desertification; show why definitions of the term ‘desertification’ are products of this prison; describe how so much misunderstanding and confusion in this field has led to real, negative consequences; and lastly, provide recommendations to young scientists as to how to avoid becoming incarcerated in this prison.
沙漠化是历史的囚徒:一篇关于为什么年轻科学家应该关注的文章
荒漠化这一概念自产生以来,一直笼罩在争议和模糊之中。因此,没有一个单一的定义是可以接受的;对其程度和严重性没有一致意见;提出的解决方案往往互不相干,而且适得其反。这篇文章认为,所有这一切都是由于荒漠化是一个永久的“历史囚犯”的概念,这是一个由联合国荒漠化公约(UNCCD)领导的历史进程。在这篇文章中,我描述了为什么历史的囚徒叙事适用于沙漠化的概念。为此,我回顾了一些历史事件,这些事件为沙漠化建造了一座隐喻性的监狱;说明为什么“沙漠化”一词的定义是这个监狱的产物;请描述在这个领域如此多的误解和困惑是如何导致了真实的、负面的后果的;最后,为年轻科学家提供建议,如何避免被囚禁在这个监狱里。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Ecosistemas
Ecosistemas ECOLOGY-
CiteScore
1.80
自引率
0.00%
发文量
40
审稿时长
5 weeks
期刊介绍: ECOSISTEMAS es la revista científica de ecología y medio ambiente de la Asociación Española de Ecología Terrestre. Desde el año 2001 se publica exclusivamente en formato electrónico cada cuatro meses. La revista publica artículos científicos originales sobre ecología y medio ambiente incluyendo investigación sobre organismos, poblaciones, comunidades y ecosistemas, interacciones biológicas, paleoecología, ecofisiología, eco-evolución y procesos ecosistémicos, así como sobre perturbaciones antropogénicas y sus efectos a nivel ecológico y ambiental. Todas las contribuciones deben ser originales y no haber sido publicadas previamente en la literatura científica. Serán considerados para su publicación solamente trabajos de índole científica que presenten datos nuevos analizados de forma adecuada o trabajos novedosos de revisión bibliográfica que constituyan una aportación importante al tema. Los trabajos descriptivos sin una interpretación y discusión detallada del significado ecológico que puede extraerse de los resultados escritos, los que reflejen una opinión personal, o que sean puramente especulativos sin resultados claros que apoyen las conclusiones descritas, serán rechazados a nivel editorial. Todas las contribuciones son publicadas en castellano, con título, resumen y pies de figuras y tablas también en inglés. Nuestro objetivo es ser la revista científica de ecología y medio ambiente de referencia para los países y comunidades hispanohablantes. No se repercute tasa o coste alguno a los autores en concepto de gestión o publicación de sus propuestas.
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