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T1 Unlocking the Sustainable Potential of Land Resources: Evaluating Systems, Strategies and Tools - Summary for Policymakers
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
A2 Herrick, Jeffrey E
A2 Arnalds, Olafur
A2 Bestelmeyer, Brandon
A2 Bringezu, Stefan
A2 Han, G.
A2 Johnson, M.V.
A2 Kimiti, David
A2 Lu, Yihe
A2 Montanarella, Luca
A2 Pengue, Walter
A2 Toth, Gergely
A2 Tukahirwa, J.
A2 Velayutham, M.
A2 Zhang, L.
K1 land
K1 land-based resource
K1 zoning
K1 land use
K1 land reclamation
K1 biodiversity
K1 land policy
SN 978-92-807-3578-9
YR 2016
FD 2016
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/7708
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/7708
NO This policy summary explains how land evaluation systems can support sustainable land use planning and management in the context of increasing food demand, climate change and widespread land degradation. It outlines how understanding long-term land potential—determined mainly by soil, climate and topography—can guide decisions on agricultural production, restoration and conservation. The document describes how aligning land use with its natural potential can increase productivity, reduce environmental risks and improve biodiversity outcomes. It reviews limitations of existing evaluation approaches and proposes improved frameworks that incorporate degradation resistance, recovery capacity and spatial variability. The report also highlights practical tools and knowledge systems that enable land evaluation at farm, watershed, regional and national scales to inform policy and management decisions.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 16, 2026