The Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) is a strategic planning process initiated by a partnership of international organizations that are concerned with the observational component of global environmental change issues. It links research, long-term monitoring and operational programmes, bringing together the producers of global observations and the users that require them to identify products needed, gaps in observations, and mechanisms to respond to the needs of the science and policy communities.

Land lies at the heart of social, political and economic life in much of rural
Africa. It provides a major source of livelihoods, income and employment; a
basis for social and political relations; and has major historical, cultural and
spiritual significance. In many places, rapid socio-economic changes are
undermining the security of land access for poorer and more vulnerable
groups – particularly in high-value lands such as peri-urban areas, irrigated
schemes and fertile lands. Securing land access for these groups is

This guide is written for people who work in land administration and all those with an interest in land, land tenure and their governance. Although much has been written about the importance of good governance in achieving development goals, there is comparatively little material on good governance in land tenure and administration. Failings in governance have adverse consequences for society as a whole. By contrast, good governance can help achieve economic development and the reduction of poverty. Good governance matters.

This book has arisen out of the theoretical knowledge and practical experience gained during the implementation of a FAO project in the Czech Republic: TCP/CEH/2902 “Sustainable Utilization of Agricultural ‘Abandoned’ Land”. The outputs from this project have brought not only improved models for management of the natural resources, but also tested new practical methods of alternative agriculture, combining game-keeping, food-marketing, ecotourism, etc.

The articles in this issue supplement the recent publication "Good governance in land tenure and administration" (Land Tenure Studies No. 9), which provides practical advice for land professionals on improving governance in a land administration system or other land tenure arrangement.

The 70s saw the emergence of worldwide concerns for the capacity of the planet to feed its growing population while ensuring the conservation of its natural resources and the protection of the environment. As a global inventory of soil resources was being conducted under the auspices of FAO and UNESCO, an internationally accepted methodology was elaborated concurrently to assess the potentialities as well as the limits of the world’s land resources for development. The Land Evaluation Framework, which

Drainage of agricultural land is one of the most critical water management tools for

the sustainability of productive cropping systems, as frequently this sustainability

is extremely dependent on the control of waterlogging and soil salinization in the

rootzone of most crops. On some agricultural lands, the natural drainage is sufficient

to maintain high productivity. However, many others require improvements in surface

and subsurface drainage in order to optimize land productivity, while maintaining the

The main objective of the training workshop was to train the participants in reviewing and

analysing the remote sensing based forest classifications in their countries to facilitate the

harmonization and standardization at the sub-region and regional level and it included the

new demands of remote sensing based information for reporting to Convention on Biological

Diversity (CBD) in the year 2010. A supplementary objective was to inform the participants

about the proposed design and the implementation process of the remote sensing component

This joint FAO-World Bank publication aims to draw attention to the negative impacts of weak governance in land administration and to point out the manifold benefits of good governance in the protection of property rights and the development of efficient land and property markets. It provides positive examples of good practices from around the world, as well as an overview of principles and key questions to be applied in any country for the evaluation of governance in land administration.

This paper offers an overview of land reform processes in the CEECs and their outcomes and impacts and analyzes current and emerging structures in rural areas. Different types of land consolidation are defined and their potential impacts are assessed. The paper then looks in depth at land consolidation processes, especially in the context of land management, and outlines preconditions and cornerstones for various approaches. Environmental aspects and principles for land funds and land banking are also drawn in.

The effect of HIV/AIDS on Africa and the issues it creates for women in African societies, especially unmarried women, is a difficult one that will not soon go away. These two volumes [ The Land and Property Rights of Women and Orphans in the Context of HIV and AIDS : Case Studies from Zimbabwe, and Reclaiming Our Lives: HIV and AIDS, Women’s Land and Property Rights and Livelihoods in Southern and East Africa: Narratives and Responses] are important and useful additions to the literature of the problem and should be found in academic and research collections dealing with the topic

FAO has a long interest in addressing the management of conflict to reduce uncertainty and improve wellbeing, particularly for the most vulnerable in society. This manual focuses on how to manage and resolve conflicts over land tenure rights, security of tenure and land access in the field of rural development. It results from complementary activities undertaken within FAO’s Livelihood Support Programme (LSP) and Land Tenure Service.