Soil Carbon Transition Curves: Reversal of Land Degradation through Management of Soil Organic Matter for Multiple Benefits - Soil Carbon: Science, Management and Policy for Multiple Benefits - page 43

under natural vegetation on a similar soil
in the local climate and hydrology may
serve as a reference. A recent analysis has
shown that progress towards meeting en-
vironmental goals and targets over the past
decades has been very limited (UNEP,
2012b). However, areas where significant
progress has been achieved were character-
ized by a clear problem definition, agreed
goals, specific targets and indicators to
track progress. As countries and other
stakeholders prepare themselves to follow

up on the outcomes of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development
(Rio+20), a science-based contribution to
help develop a target for soil carbon stock
and mechanisms to track progress towards
meeting goals in land-use sustainability
could be an important contribution. This
effort would fill an important gap in the
sustainability framework related to land-
use changes and their impact and role in
climate change mitigation, food security,
biofuels and water supply.

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