Traditional approach and remote sensing techniques in the development and implementation of desertification indicators

Over the past 50 years humans have changed ecosystems, more rapid ly than in past ages, to meet demands for resources. It is increasingly clear that environmental degradation and resource depletion play an important role in creating or exacerbating human insecurities (Dabelko et al., 2002). There is growing understanding that environmental degradation, especially when coupled to inequitable access to critical natural resources, increases the probability of conflict and instability and pose a risk to human security.A main issue in any strategy aimed at the fight against desertification should be based on the technical and institutional capacity to study environmental degradation processes and natural catastrophes through assessing, quantifying and monitoring phenomena and to implement prevention through adequate intervention.The present paper focuses on monitoring approaches and methods as a tool to support land degradation and desertification strategies and measures. In fact a leading role is played by the environmental emergencies linked to desertification (MA, 2005) that is a complex process involving the interaction of various components: the socio-economic issues, such as food security, poverty, migratory flows and political stability, and different environmental issues, such as climate change, biodiversity and water supply.