Improving data systems on land resources

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 recommends:< (a) strengthening information, systematic observation and assessment systems for environmental, economic and social data related to land resources at the global, regional, national and local levels and for land capability and land-use and management patterns;< (b) developing internationally acceptable methodologies for establishment of databases, description of land uses and multiple goal optimization;< (c) strengthening coordination between existing sectoral data systems on land and land resources and strengthening national capacity to gather and assess data;< (d) strengthening and establishing national land-resource data banks, including identification of the location, extent and severity of existing land degradation, as well as areas at risk, and evaluating the progress of conservation and rehabilitation programmes launched in this regard.