Linking Ecosystem Services to Social Well-Being: An Approach to Assess Land Degradation

Land degradation usually leads to the loss of ecosystem services, which may threaten social well-being. There is no approach identify and manage all services based on their importance in processes systems. This study aimed link well-being order assess rangeland degradation. Eleven (forage production, water yield, edible plants, fuel, medicinal pollination, gas regulation, soil resistivity erosion, fertility, scenic beauty, recreation) were assessed a semiarid near Bardsir city, Kerman Province, southeast Iran. significant differences between types providing ( p < 0.05). Four criteria 17 indices weighed according for local stakeholders. Rangeland was estimated using weight services. Discriminant analysis indicated that supporting (soil fertility) provisioning (water yield forage production) had greatest impact degradation, related food security Ecosystem declined medium severe due plant composition change overgrazing principal component (PCA). More than 70% watershed has been highly severely degraded. trade-off relationship very degraded areas because promotion agriculture expansion. Based our approach, rate each category good guide management programs decision-makers meet both needs people preservation ecosystems.