Land degradation is a composite term that describes how one or more of the complex aspects of land resources has changed for the worse over time. It includes biological degradation (e.g. loss of biodiversity), Physical degradation (e.g. soil erosion), and chemical degradation (e.g. salt accumulation).

Land degradation maps and report for the northern AOI are an important output by FAO-SWALIM. The report includes a detailed outline of the methodology used and results and a chapter on conclusion and recommendations. The field survey techniques used have also been elaborated in the report. The maps produced in this study include, Chemical degradation map, Physical degradation map, biological degradation map and one map of combined land degradation. Another map of land degradation produced by the participatory approach is also presented.