Sustainable land management for the semiarid and sub-humid tropics

Five case studies involving different land management systems in Africa (pastoral systems in the Sahel, new cropping systems in Togo), Latin America (slash and burn; irrigated and market oriented systems), and Asia (upland rice in Thailand and Lao) are presented. Biophysical and socioeconomic causes of land degradation are first outlined, the linkages between them discussed, and regional commonalities and differences outlined. Practical procedures and recommendations are made on how to reverse the spiral of land degradation. These include the need to assess land degradation and sustainability, land quality change indicators, linking biophysical and socioeconomic information, and the institutional and funding mechanisms which may be necessary. A multidisciplinary and participatory approach directly involving the land users themselves is also recommended.