Response indicators

Institutional programs for soil conservation and rehabilitation

The conservation and sustainable use of soil are key components of the provision of environmental services of ecosystems, including biodiversity conservation, food security and poverty alleviation (Cotler et al., 2007; UNCCD, 2012). The development of plans and programs that contribute to land use and planning based on its natural suitability and the improved agricultural productivity (promoting the rational use of agrochemicals and improved cultivation systems) are response mechanisms to the various factors causing soil degradation (Conafor, Semarnat, 2009).

Mexico has developed programs for soil conservation and use, but unfortunately these have focused on ensuring agricultural and rural development, as well as the supply of food and other products, goods or services (Cotler et al., 2007) without paying due attention to their environmental implications (DOF, 2002; Cotler, 2007; OCDE, 2013). Several government agencies participate in federal programs for soil conservation and rehabilitation, including Semarnat, through the National Forestry Commission (Conafor¹) and the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp¹), the latter through the Conservation for Sustainable Development Program (Procodes¹, formerly the Program for Sustainable Regional Development, Proders¹). Other participating agencies include the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA¹) through the National Commission for Arid Zones (CONAZA¹) and the Integrated Program for Sustainable Agriculture and Productive Reconversion in Disaster-Prone Areas (Piasre¹). In this sense, the indicator Surface incorporated to institutional programs related to conservation and rehabilitation of soils denotes the government’s response to soil degradation issues in Mexico. However, given its close relationship with agriculture and forestry (Conafor, Semarnat, 2009), these programs have not focused specifically on soil recovery (Cottler, 2007). Other countries that also use this indicator are New Zealand (Lilburne et al., 2002), Australia (Hamblin, 1998) and the European Union within its agricultural policy (UE, 2013). The World Bank includes it as an indicator of institutional capacity (WBG, 2004) and the UN as part of the country reporting mechanisms under Chapter 10 of Agenda 21 (ONU-Programa 21, 2003).

¹ For its acronym in Spanish