Challenges in Land Degradation in Latin America
Latin American countries are grappling with a complex scenario regarding land degradation. The conversion of fertile soils for monoculture or extensive livestock farming is contributing to desertification, while the climate crisis and phenomena such as El Niño exacerbate the effects of soil degradation. These challenges manifest in everyday life through reduced access to water, lower food production, increased fire risks, and the subsequent displacement of individuals and communities.
Amidst these challenges, the region has a significant opportunity to address these pressing issues during the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), taking place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to 28. The primary aim is to explore avenues for soil restoration. Updates from the conference will be provided in the coming days.
This treaty is the only international agreement that mandates all 197 participating countries to commit to sustainable land management, ensuring the provision of food, water, and economic opportunities for all. It is one of the three Rio Conventions — alongside biodiversity and climate change — which were established during the Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These conventions will also reconvene towards the end of 2026.
This year, participating nations will discuss alternatives and potential solutions to land degradation. Grasslands will play a pivotal role, being recognised as strategic ecosystems for the sustainable management of soils in regions affected by desertification.
Food Security Under Threat
The impact of land degradation and desertification is particularly pronounced in the realm of food security, leading to crop losses and increased food insecurity for those reliant on agriculture. This is critical for Latin America and the Caribbean, where family farming constitutes nearly 50% of the land allocated to crops such as vegetables, fruits, cereals, and tubers, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Yasna Palmeiro Silva, a researcher and consultant specialising in climate change and health, highlights that in the region, the threat is compounded by the interplay of soil degradation processes with natural and climatic phenomena like El Niño, which historically results in decreased rainfall and rising temperatures in certain areas of the continent. “We are witnessing the combination of social vulnerabilities in Latin America, where agriculture is a major economic sector. In the Dry Corridor of Central America, food security and water issues have been ongoing for some time, leading to population displacement,” Palmeiro explains.
She further notes that this combination of environmental stressors is also evident in other areas of Latin America, such as the Cerrado (in the Brazilian savannah), the Amazon, the Gran Chaco region, and Coquimbo in northern Chile. “In these specific areas, communities have had to rely on water trucks for consumption due to the lack of rainfall and depletion of underground water sources, leading to significant water insecurity,” she states, adding that community displacement is exacerbated by soil over-exploitation.
As a result, agricultural activities have been forced to shift, with people abandoning their traditional livelihoods as agriculture becomes increasingly untenable for sustenance and income generation.
El Niño: A Catalyst for Risks in Latin America
The interplay of droughts, rising temperatures, and wildfires, indicative of advancing desertification, is compounded by climate variability and human activities that alter soil conditions. Experts assert that although the impacts of El Niño have always been present, their effects intensify when combined with other factors, creating greater risks. For instance, projections indicate a rise in severe wildfires in certain regions by 2026, linked to this phenomenon, according to an analysis by the World Weather Attribution network.
The historical connections between El Niño, floods, and droughts in Latin America are well-documented by scientists. Typically, this phenomenon results in higher temperatures and intense rainfall in northern Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and parts of Chile and Uruguay, while droughts predominantly affect Central America, northern Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela.
<p“Beyond these natural climate variabilities, we are altering the soil through our utilisation practices. These three elements converge to create a perfect storm,” notes Palmeiro, who further explains that areas experiencing the most severe impacts of the climate crisis are also those where natural phenomena are becoming more intense.
Belén Valenzuela, a programme officer for Forests and Grasslands at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) South America, concurs that these phenomena collectively impact the most vulnerable areas, resulting in intensified droughts and temperatures that adversely affect vegetation productivity, exposing these regions to increased fire risks. “It is essential to understand that these factors do not operate in isolation; they reinforce one another, creating a concerning cycle,” she elaborates. “A degraded ecosystem responds poorly to droughts or extreme climate crises and may accelerate further degradation,” Valenzuela adds.
Palmeiro points out that these compounding effects are already impacting public health and well-being. According to a scientific commentary prepared by the researcher, during the El Niño 2023-2024 phenomenon, Latin America recorded its worst dengue season in history, with a 600% increase in cases across Andean countries and the Southern Cone, particularly in Brazil and Paraguay. Additionally, nearly 8,436 excess deaths have been reported, associated with heatwaves.
<p“Immediate injuries and fatalities are observable, but there is often a delay in the emergence of other health issues that may increase weeks or even months after such events,” the researcher states. She also emphasises that the region's systems are ill-prepared for these cumulative effects. “These systems were designed under a climate that no longer exists. We are facing an entirely new scenario, which will persist depending on the decisions we make moving forward,” she concludes.
Key Instruments for COP17
Among the key frameworks implemented by the United Nations to combat desertification is the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), aimed at preventing soil erosion and reversing impacts that currently affect 70% of all ice-free land by 2030. To this end, most signatory countries have committed to various measures under this framework, including the restoration of 1 billion hectares by 2030.
Ana Di Pangracio, Deputy Executive Director of the Environment and Natural Resources Foundation (FARN), highlights that an outstanding issue will be the newly established Drought Resilience Investment Fund, which seeks to support sustainable agriculture, enhance water access, and promote nature-based solutions. “We can expect to see initial reports on the agenda regarding droughts, addressing whether funds have been accessed, the operational status of the initiative, and whether projects are being implemented or are still in the bureaucratic stages,” warns the environmental lawyer.
Di Pangracio explains that politically, there is also a need to define a binding instrument to better address the issue of droughts, which could not be translated into a political agreement since the last Desertification COP in 2024 in Saudi Arabia. “A series of instruments were outlined, ranging from a simple declaration to a protocol. Unfortunately, a political consensus was not reached to define a specific instrument. We will see if this progresses in COP17; however, it may be more challenging given the geopolitical situation and the current polarisation,” the specialist notes.
Furthermore, Valenzuela from IUCN South America emphasises the importance of COP17 for the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, aiming to advance the establishment of a Caucus where indigenous leaders elect representatives to voice concerns and needs in high-level political negotiations. “This is significant as it allows for a shift from a model where indigenous peoples and local communities engage through events or consultations to having a dedicated institutional space to articulate positions, influence negotiations, and monitor implementation,” Valenzuela explains.
While these mechanisms do not directly influence decision-making in negotiations, the specialist cautions that they could serve as a platform to elevate Latin American priorities regarding territorial rights, restoration, governance, traditional knowledge, and financing within the COP framework.
Grasslands and Savannas: Underappreciated Ecosystems
While forests have garnered significant attention in conservation and climate change policies, grasslands and savannas remain undervalued despite their crucial benefits for soil health and food production. Gabriel Quijandría, Regional Director of IUCN for South America, believes that these ecosystems can serve as vital allies for the region. “In Latin America, approximately 33% of all existing biomes are grasslands and savannas, underscoring their immense potential for carbon capture and their role in supporting conservation efforts and nature recovery,” he states.
Grasslands are essential, Valenzuela explains, as they perform ecological, productive, and social functions that are often overlooked. “They protect and form soils, store carbon, regulate water, reduce erosion, and support a rich diversity of species,” she elaborates.
IUCN experts point out that these ecosystems are also critical for food security and the economies of around 30 million people. “Grasslands and savannas often underpin livestock and pastoral systems, sustaining the livelihoods of millions. They are not empty lands nor inherently degraded; they are natural ecosystems with a significant capacity to contribute to biodiversity, climate, water, and production,” they assert.
As part of a collaborative effort with governments, civil society, and organisations, IUCN has produced a regional document identifying three main