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Land degradation and desertification are important global issues in the third millennium. While land degradation is world-wide spread, desertification is referring only to degradation of chylands. In a world with more than 7 billion people and a limited pedosphere there is great need to restore existing despoiled chylands and to combat increasing desertification.

Actual statistics are presenting alarming values. 25% of Europe and 40% of the world lands are chylands. 30% of semiarid Mediterranean chylands are affected by desertification and more than 30% of the region's population suffers from severe degradation.

Even if exists a lot of information about the issues that have lead to the loss of land quality and desertification, this information is dispersed, diffuse and largely unavailable to users. This paper will try to conclude on some points but without admitting that will offer the best picture for understanding land degradation and desertification issues