A method for calculating land degradation neutrality

Land degradation neutrality (LDN) has been introduced by United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Studies of LDN has been encouraged worldwide by UNCCD to compact land degradation. The LDN aims to maintain or even improve the land quality over time and therefore, it envisages quantifying the balance between the gains and losses within a given land type and scale. In this regard, a mathematical model was developed to calculate and redress land degradation. The calculations showed that the model is stable within the values of quality indices (1 and 2) and correlation coefficients (0 and 1).•The model calculates a proxy parameter as a representative of land quality using a set of land quality indices and correlation coefficients between those indices.•The model compares the values for proxy variable for initial and degraded conditions, and calculates the gains needed to equalize the two values.•The model is independent of scale and it is easy to use.