In preparation of the first scientific-style conference titled "Bio-physical and socio-economic monitoring and assessment of desertification and land degradation, to support decision-making in land and water management" of the CST which will take place back to back with CCD COP-9 in late 2009, we invite you to review a first proposal of indicators as compiled under the coordination of Prof. Marc Bied-Charetton who is member in the Steering Committee of European DesertNet and Chair of the French Scientific Committee on Desertification (CSDF).

As Chair and Co-chair of European DesertNet and on behalf of the Steering Committee and Advisory Board of European DesertNet we herewith invite you to provide your opinions on the attached lists of indicators. Your participation in this reviewing process is absolutely vital in order to guarantee that these lists are further completed. Your recommendations will be considered in the attached lists. In March 2009, revised versions of these lists will then be provided to the CST and the Dryland Science for Development Consortium (DSD) for their ongoing preparations for organising the first scientific-style conference in late 2009.

Your opinions should be sent directly to Ms Isabelle Amsallem, CSFD:amsallem@agropolis.fr.

We look forward to receiving your contributions,
Carlos San Juan Mesonada (Chair) and Mariam Akhtar-Schuster (Co-chair of European DesertNet)