Persistent Land Degradation May Further Widen Global Crop-Yield Gaps

Overview

Among the many other global challenges jeopardizing efforts towards the actualization of the United Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), land degradation is particularly concerning. Land degradation, biodiversity losses and climate change are interconnected with direct implications for both social and planetary resilience. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNNCD), land degradation is already affecting up to 40% of global arable land surface. Land degradation is manifested through several indicators including loss of soil organic carbon, soil compaction and depletion of water: These indicators are increasingly being observed across many regions of the world, highlighting the seriousness and scale of land degradation crisis.

Empirical Evidence

The effects of land degradation are numerous. Key among is declining crop yields and widening crop yield gaps as demonstrated in a recent global study by Hadi et al. (2026) published on Nature Climate Change. This study estimated the association between land degradation and crop yield gaps while controlling for confounding factors, including agri-technology and spatial heterogeneity. The study results found a significant negative association between land degradation and yield attainment. On average, a 10% increase in land degradation results in an additional increase of yield-gaps of 1.75%. The study also found that changes in Land degradation were associated with overall increase in soil water, soil organic carbon and soil compaction debt.

Implications for Policy and Development

Land degradation will continue to be a major constraint on international development efforts and the achievement of sustainable development goals. As demonstrated in the above study, land degradation will have compounding effects on interconnected ecosystems including soil, water and biodiversity. There is therefore need for a gradual transition to sustainable foods systems and land use practices. Agroecology and conservation agriculture are key among strategies that can be promoted through national policies level and international development agendas: Increasing evidence links these practices to landscape restoration, soil health restoration and rural livelihoods. However, global efforts to address land degradation will require integrated and interconnected approaches, rather than standalone projects or interventions. Therefore, addressing place-based root causes and drivers of land degradation must remain central in global land restoration agendas.

A call to Action at UNCCD COP17

As the 17^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) approaches, it presents an important opportunity for world leaders, philanthropists, the private sector and researchers to reaffirm their commitment to tackling land degradation. These commitments must be translated into concreate plan capable of generation multidimensional sustainability outcomes. Achieving this will require meaningful participation and representation of multiple stakeholders, including indigenous peoples, and those most directly affected by effects of land degradation. With Mongolia hosting COP17, attention will be particularly focused on facing serious land degradation and desertification challenges like Mongolia. It is expected that new commitments and pledges will be made to generate political commitment and partnerships needed to support practical outcomes across finance, water, land and people, and food systems and soil health.