Indicators are descriptive data representing a condition and conveying information on changes or trends in that condition. Indicators may provide guidance on actions to be taken, and they are also an important component of national and global checks and balances to ensure that decisionmaking is in accordance with the requirements of society. The probability of greater relevance, utility, and application of indicators increases if decisionmakers and other stakeholders are involved in the choice of indicators and the development of monitoring systems.
Indicators are already in regular use for economic and social data.
In contrast, few such indicators are available to assess, monitor, and evaluate changes in the quality of land resources or the impact of human interventions in the landscape. The publication and data links provided in the Indicators page represent efforts to fill this void. This would include intensified production to meet growing demands while concurrently ensuring conservation of natural resources and promotion of sustainable land management. Important components in this strategy include development of indicators and procedures for monitoring impacts of projects, programmes, and policies on the productivity and quality of land resources. These are required to guide and advise us a we struggle to make the right choices.