Beyond bioproductivity: Engaging local perspectives in land degradation monitoring and assessment

摘要: Abstract Land degradation monitoring and assessment in the Sahel zone has relied substantially on temporal trends of remote sensing-based vegetation indices, which are proxies for bioproductivity land. However, prior studies have shown that negative or positive not necessarily associated with improvement land condition. In this short communication, while acknowledging contributions indices global-scale datasets to dismantling an outdated desertification narrative, we argue local users much contribute our understanding degradation, particularly ensuring scientific assessments capture variables relevant them. We used participatory photo elicitation method three sites Senegalese Ferlo order elicit pastoralists' perspectives identify indicators they use characterize pasture quality, empowering them lead discussion. The discussion revealed far beyond bioproductivity, including livestock performance as well composition quality herbaceous woody vegetative cover, invasive species, soil water availability. found pastoralists’ knowledge interest issue could potentially be harnessed more systematically, at larger scales, build a spatially explicit field-based base complementary maps bioproductivity. Such dataset serve standalone product reference development validation indicators.