Durante siglos, los agricultores, pastores, pescadores y silvicultores han desarrollado sistemas agrícolas diversos y adaptados localmente, y los han gestionado con técnicas y prácticas ingeniosas que han perfeccionado con el paso de los años. Han sido los responsables de aportar a la humanidad una combinación esencial de servicios sociales, culturales, ecológicos y económicos. Estos "Sistemas Importantes del Patrimonio Agrícola Mundial" (SIPAM) son paisajes estéticamente impresionantes que combinan la biodiversidad agrícola con ecosistemas resilientes y un valioso patrimonio cultural.

Pendant des siècles, les agriculteurs, éleveurs, pêcheurs et sylviculteurs ont développé des systèmes agricoles diversifiés, adaptés à leurs conditions locales, en employant des techniques et des pratiques ingénieuses, éprouvées au fil du temps, afin de fournir un ensemble vital de services sociaux, culturels, écologiques et économiques à l'humanité. Ces «Systèmes ingénieux du patrimoine agricole mondial» (SIPAM) sont des paysages d'une beauté remarquable associant la biodiversité agricole à des écosystèmes résilients et à un précieux patrimoine culturel.

Long before opening a country office in Santo Domingo in 1979, FAO provided technical and financial assistance to the Dominican Republic to boost development of its agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors. Over the years, the Organization has implemented a large number of interventions covering a wide range of areas, including food security and nutrition, plant and animal health, sustainable natural resource use, forest management and institutional development.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of biostrips on the bio­diversity of plants and game animals in fields near Sardice (Czech Republic) and to propose some improvements. The experiment was carried out in an organic farm with cereals as the main crops. The biodiversity was assessed by the line method (game birds and mammals) and according to Dostal (flora) and Braun-Blanqueta (plant coverage). As shown by our results biostrips have an important function in agroecosystems. We suggest to include seeds of sugar beet to the seed mixtures used in biostrips.

A survey that gathered information about farm structure, grazing system, feeding and reproductive management was conducted in 181 farms. Parda de Montaña is the main breed regarding cows (92.4%), heifers (95,3%) and calves (84,1%). Bulls belong to Parda de Montaña (65%) breed but also Limusine, Charolaise and Blonde d'Aquitaine. Farms had an average size of 53.6 cows. Feeding depends largely on grazing in different forage resources, from June to October in high mountain ranges, in spring and autumn in natural meadows and forage crops.

Surveys were conducted to 141 farmers registered in the FERPAM at Asturias (A), Cantabria (C) and Castilla and Leon (CL) regions, with the aim to know animal production system characteristics. Racial diversity was high (57.4% of the cows are "Parda de Montaña" (PM) and the 25.2% are cross with other breeds) and only 24.1% of farms have PM pure-breed animals. The average herd size was 32.1 cows in A, 35.3 in C and 64.6 in CL. The 95% of farms are located in mountain areas. The animals are kept indoors 3.7 months/year, as average. The average age of calves weaning was 5.8 months.

This non-technical annual report is intended primarily for policymakers and members of the donor community. It contains a concise presentation of CIMMYT's research programs in Maize, Wheat, and Economics, as well as a review of special projects and a financial statement. In this issue, an article on concepts and issues in strategic planning is included

8 flocks of Ojinegra ewes (n=5634) were studied during a productive cycle (2007-2008) in Teruel (Spain), a low-mountain dry and harsh area. Ojinegra ewes belong to a local breed, of small-medium size, reared under a semi-extensive system of management. Throughout three seasons (autumn, winter and spring) weight and BCS of 5634 ewes at lambing and weaning were recorded and 5786 lambs were weighed fortnightly form birth to weaning. Season had a significant (p>0.01) effect on weight and BCS of ewes and on lambs average daily gain.