Project properties

Title Scenarios of land degradation and restoration under climate change in Madagascar
Group Soil Physics and Land Management group
Project type thesis
Credits 24-39
Supervisor(s) Luuk Fleskens
Examiner(s) Coen Ritsema
Contact info luuk.fleskens@wur.nl
Begin date 2021/05/25
End date
Description Land degradation in different forms (deforestation, landslides, soil erosion) is a huge problem in Madagascar. WU-SLM has, in collaboration with partners, developed a prototype simulation platform to assess the consequences of alternative decisions (primarily investment) on the achievement of development objectives (e.g. food security) and environmental objectives (e.g. forest cover, carbon storage). The platform is intended to support integrated decision making for landscape management across sectors and levels of government.

Research Objective/Question

The land simulation platform can be used to answer different research questions, e.g. what possible interventions can help Madagascar achieve the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) target of Sustainable Development Goal 15.3?

What is expected from the student (type of research)

Build a scenario that considers the LDN target, based on review of policy documents, literature and key informant interviews. Run the scenario using the LANDSIM-P platform and analyse the results.
Used skills
Requirements Some knowledge on GIS