The aim of this paper is to contribute to a more holistic understanding of farmers’ decision making process for innovations in soil conservation. In this study, farmers’ decision making has been explored in the context of a mountainous olive growing area in northwest Syria, where evidences of land degradation are widespread.

In the Mediterranean mountain areas of NW Syria, land degradation is a serious problem (Masri et al, 2005). Olive orchards dominate the landscape in Afrin area, and olive oil represents the most important cash income source for rural communities in this area. However, olive yields in many orchards have been decreasing steadily over the last 20 years. Low return to labour has resulted in livelihood insecurity, increased reliance on off-farm labour, and out-migration.

This volume contains the presentations made at the Eighth International Conference on Dryland
Development. It is hoped that it will serve as a repository of information on the problems and prospects of
sustainable management of dry areas and preventing desertification, and will thus be of interest to those
involved in research, extension, development and policy formulation for the benefit of the people of the dry areas. It is our belief it would serve as an important contribution to the objectives of the IYDD.

The threat that the degradation of terraces in the highlands of Yemen poses to the livelihood of rural households and to national economic development has been widely recognized. The aim of this study was to contribute to the development of policy recommendations for the improvement of the life of rural families in the Yemeni mountains. Three small mountain watersheds (200-700 ha) in the northern, middle and southern mountain regions of Yemen were selected as the testing grounds for this study.

The African Highlands Initiative works to enhance livelihoods and reverse natural resource degradation
through the development of innovative methods,practices,policies and approaches.

Mongolia’s forests are located in the transitional zone between the great Siberian taiga and the Mongolian plateau of grassland steppe. These forests play a critical role in preventing soil erosion and land degradation, in regulating the water regime in mountain areas, maintaining permafrost distribution, and in providing habitats for wildlife and preserving biodiversity.

Continuing land degradation and increasing numbers of people living in poverty are among the symptoms of the current pressure on land resources. To date, the world’s response to the two challenges of satisfying human needs and maintaining the integrity of global ecosystems has been less than successful.

Compte-rendu d'un séminaire sur les recherches pour le développement d'une agriculture durable au Bénin qui s'est tenu le 9 septembre 1993 à Amsterdam.

Proyecto Aplicación de Instrumentos de Política Económica para la Gestión Ambiental y el Desarrollo Sustentable en Países Seleccionados de América Latina y el Caribe

Proyecto Aplicación de Instrumentos de Política Económica para la Gestión Ambiental y el Desarrollo Sustentable en Países Seleccionados de América Latina y el Caribe