Forest resources share attributes with many other resource systems that make difficult their governance and management in a sustainable, efficient and equitable manner. Destruction or degradation of forest resources is most likely to occur in open-access forests where those involved, or external authorities, have not established effective governance. Conventional theories applied to forest resources presumed that forest users themselves were incapable of organizing to overcome the temptations to overharvest.

A project proposal whose aim is to promote more appropriate resource management on smallholder crop-livestock farms in East Africa is described. Prototypes of mixed farming systems will be developed to characterise farming systems according to their management objectives. These prototypes will then be used to map improvements of the farming systems by combining prototyping and simulation modelling. Scenarios will be explored to assess natural resource management interventions that promote sustainability of these prototype-farming systmes.

These proceedings reflect the broad range of disciplines, institutions and geographical regions represented at the workshop. The proceedings will hopefully provide insight for governments, NGOs, the private sector, local organisations and other actors on how to manage and participate in pluralistic forestry systems in order to further the goals of sustainable forestry for development.

A medium-size report that deals with the overall situation of data on fuelwood in the Central African Republic. The report is composed of three main parts; the first section is a short description of the country and the terms of the study. The second part is an evaluation of the country's forest cover while the third part states the forest parameters (number of trees, volume, etc.) followed by a conclusion.

Los intentos de transferir funciones y facultades en materia de ordenacin pueden adoptar formas distintas en una escala progresiva que va desde el control central total de los recursos forestales hasta la plena descentralizacin y transferencia de la autoridad y las facultades, aunque las soluciones en cualquiera de los dos extremos de la escala suelen ser inadecuadas. En ests pginas se examinan diversos temas relacionados con la redistribucin de la autoridad y las facultades sobre los bosques y la actividad forestal.

Meeting symbol/code: COFO 1999 REP

This issue of Unasylva contains, as promised in the previous edition, additional articles on sustainable mountain development. These articles help to complete the focus on the topic and should also help to promote interest in the recently declared International Year of the Mountain (2000) for which FAO has been designated lead agency status within the United Nations system.

An assessment of the state of forestry in terms of management of different forest types for the sustainable supply of goods and services. The sustainability of current practices are discussed and recommendations and technical requirements for improved management are outlined