Lead authors: Stefanie M. Herrmann and Charles F. Hutchinson
Section lead author (Biodiversity Loss): Christian Nellemann
Section lead authors (Concluding Remarks): Kakuko Nagatani, Andrew Warren,
David Dent, Scott Morrison
Contributing authors: Ablimit Abdukadir, Hugo Ahlenius, Robert Alkemade,
Michel Bakkenes, Ben ten Brink, Exequiel Ezcurra, Ole-Gunnar Støen,
Bjørn P. Kaltenborn, Lera Miles, Tonnie Tekelenburg, Mary Seely, Ingunn Vistnes,
and Andrew Warren

SCENARIOS OF CHANGE

BIODIVERSITY LOSS

OPTIONS FOR ACTION

CONCLUDING REMARKS

REFERENCES

This chapter considers alternative futures for deserts in the coming decades. These futures depend both on how we manage deserts, and on global economic developments and environmental policies. Taking into account trends in the numbers of people, their demands on resources, and changes in climate, this chapter explores scenarios of changes in water resources, biodiversity and land degradation. The chapter closes with a discussion of the policy options that could lead towards sustainable management of desert resources and the enhancement of human well-being in deserts.