Land

Land degradation has been intensified over most of the region, with consequent displacement of indigenous people, loss of biodiversity, and reduction in important forest products. Land degradation has additional implications for water resources in terms of soil water content and groundwater recharge. The total forest area has increased in some areas of Asia since 1990 due to reforestation efforts, but there are significant sub-regional differences. Meanwhile, there is continuous loss of wilderness, natural forest systems, mangroves and other natural systems to croplands and urban growth.