Efficiency of Land Degradation Neutrality Assessment Indicators of United Nation to Identify Land Degradation in a Semi-Arid Environment

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to contribute to a deeper understanding of land degradation neutrality (LDN), with a specific focus on Malatya province, located in the semi-arid region of eastern Türkiye. This case study served as a foundation for establishing a framework to monitor land degradation over time. The research employed three key sub-indicators—land cover (LC), land productivity (LP), and carbon stocks—following the guidelines of SDG 15.3.1. To assess changes in these sub-indicators, the SDG 15.3.1 indicator was calculated using 2015 as the baseline year and the preceding period (2000–2015) for comparison. The results indicated that approximately 3.24% of the study area experienced land degradation, primarily attributed to a decline in LP. Of this degradation, about 89.15% was linked to LP loss, while LC (5.91%) and soil organic carbon (SOC) (4.94%) contributed smaller proportions. The study also identified regional variations in land degradation, with intensified degradation occurring in areas undergoing rapid urbanization.