The precise estimation of surface runoff from rainfall is critical for water resource management. In the recent past, remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies have been widely used in the estimation of surface runoff from watersheds, and from agricultural fields in particular. This is due to the inherent ability of remote sensing to capture spatial heterogeneity of surface parameters such as land use and land cover. This could lead to better performances of surface runoff simulation models.

Amidst the economic backdrop of resource-poor farmers, combined research and extension efforts in developing countries have focused on developing and promoting potentially adaptable and economically acceptable agronomic technologies that suit farmers situations. Practices like improved fallows with woody and herbaceous legumes (e.g. Canavalia sp., Crotalaria sp.,Mucuna sp., Lablab sp., and Tephrosia sp.) are considered an appropriate approach to improving soil fertility management and an alternative to expensive, and often not available, inorganic fertilizers.

Over the last years, geospatial web platforms, social media, and volunteered geographic information (VGI) have opened a window of opportunity for traditional Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS) to usher in a new era. Taking advantage of these technological achievements, this paper presents a new approach for a citizen-orientated framework of spatial planning that aims at integrating participatory community work into existing decision-making structures.

Governments in many countries are decentralising to give more control over decision making and budgets to local administrations. One expectation of this change is that local governments will more effectively and efficiently respond to the poorest citizens in their jurisdictions. Decentralisation is especially significant to forest communities, which have historically benefited little from government services and poverty reduction programmes because of their physical isolation and social marginalisation.