Land degradation neutrality (LDN) in Rajasthan, Western India: a combined approach of pressure-state-response model...

Land degradation has become a key concern worldwide due to changes in meteorological variables and human-caused activities. This study primarily focuses on the rate, impact, and pattern of land degradation in western India. In this instance, we evaluated the effectiveness of land degradation neutrality (LDN) between 2000 and 2020 using an integrative approach based on a PSR (pressure-state-response) model developed by the OECD-UNEP under the UNCCD framework. Here, we mainly used MODIS products (e.g., NDVI, PET, LULC, and NPP). Also, soil organic carbon (SOC) and climatic variables (e.g. precipitation, aridity index and soil moisture) were taken into account. These indicators were analysed using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) code editor platform, and post-processing was done through Q-GIS software. The analysed parameters indicate that the NDVI and NPP values are + 0.20 to + 0.3 and 4.27 × 10⁹ to 7.74 × 10⁹ kg Cm^-2, respectively. However, overall precipitation and soil moisture depicted a positive trend, and the aridity index adeptly followed a negative trend. Hence, the land degradation rate has increased in the north-western region besides the Aravalli range and neutrality work in the southwest part of the study area. The overall land degradation trend is negative over the last two decades. Therefore, this study anticipates the policymakers and government bodies to understand about land degradation of western India.