Meio Ambiente (Brasil)
Open Access Journal
QUALIS-CAPES
B1
2021-2024
quadriênio
Open Access Journal
B1
2021-2024
quadriênio
Planejamento e Aplicações ao Meio Ambiente | Vol. 8 Issue 3 (2026)
Published in August 27, 2026
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https://10.66205/mabra.v8i3.607
Land degradation represents a major environmental challenge in regions dependent on smallholder agriculture, directly affecting agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. This study aimed to assess the extent and spatial patterns of land degradation in the Chipipa commune, Huambo Province, Angola, using the FAO-LADA methodology. The research adopted an integrated approach, combining geospatial analysis, soil and vegetation biophysical indicators, and socioeconomic instruments. The spatial assessment was based on the indicators of Sustainable Development Goal 15.3.1 (SDG 15.3.1), while soil and vegetation conditions were evaluated through Visual Soil Assessment (VSA) and linear transects. Socioeconomic data were collected through semi-structured interviews with land users, household representatives, and key informants. The results revealed a heterogeneous spatial distribution of land degradation, with critical areas associated with reduced land productivity. Soil compaction and erosion were identified as the main degradation processes, particularly in land uses with limited vegetation cover. Vegetation structure was simplified in agricultural and pasture areas, whereas forested and riparian zones exhibited better conservation conditions. Socioeconomic results indicated high community vulnerability, characterized by subsistence-oriented farming systems and limited adoption of sustainable land management practices. Overall, land degradation in the study area results from the interaction between biophysical and socioeconomic factors, and the FAO-LADA methodology proved effective in supporting the identification of priority areas and the planning of sustainable land management strategies.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Filipe Mutumba, André Mundombe Sinela, Sérgio Joaquim Fernando Kussumua, José Gonçalves Caela, César de Osvaldo Pakissi , Vilmar Alves Pereira