Decentralized governance of natural resources is considered one of the key strategies for promoting sustainable management of natural resources at local level. Effective decentralized natural resource management requires strong local natural resource institutions. Therefore, strengthening local institutions governing the management of natural resources is one of the core principles of decentralization reforms in Francophone West Africa countries.

The first decade of the new millennium saw a boom in rubber prices. This led to rapid and widespread land conversion to monoculture rubber plantations in continental SE Asia, where natural rubber production has increased >50% since 2000. Here, we analyze the subsequent spread of rubber between 2005 and 2010 in combination with environmental data and reports on rubber plantation performance. We show that rubber has been planted into increasingly sub-optimal environments. Currently, 72% of plantation area is in environmentally marginal zones where reduced yields are likely.

Outlines some of the work being done by ILCA in the field of agroecological zonation and the use of models to predict the effect of environment on pastoral and agricultural systems. Includes plans for future developments and the potential benefits of the work.

Outlines some of the work being done by ILCA in the field of agroecological zonation and the use of models to predict the effect of environment on pastoral and agricultural systems. Includes plans for future developments and the potential benefits of the work.