Soil and water resources protection in the changing environment

This book contains a selection of peer-reviewed contributions to the 3rd Conference of the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC), held in Belgrade in Serbia, August 22-26, 2016. The keynote paper documents the current status of soil erosion in Europe in view of a changing climate (Chapter I). Nine papers are devoted to “Mechanisms and Processes of Land degradation” (Chapter II), covering models, measurement and rates in various parts of the world. Chapter III contains five papers highlighting “Soil and water conservation strategies to adapt to and to mitigate the effects of climate change” addressing, among other things changing land use and effects of changing climate on soils and vegetation. Three papers in Chapter IV assess the observed benefits of soil and water conservation measures, such as their effect on topsoil thickness. The papers in Chapter V – “Sustainable watershed management” – discuss erosion intensity, measures to control erosion and assessing the risk of erosion in watersheds. Chapter VI (six papers) “Social and economic aspects and policies related to soil and water conservation” embarks on a discussion the relationship of human activity on soil and water conservation efforts, the role compliance with supranational legislation, compensation of damage done by natural disasters and other societal concerns relevant to soil and water preservation and management. The volume is of particular interest for all readers involved in resp. interested in soil, landscape and water resources protection and the role climate change and legislative processes play. It offers analysis, facts, new data, suggestions and portrays the current state of recommendations on soil and water resources issues, which are crucial elements in the functioning of environment.