This study analyses seven factors used to explain the conversion of forest to pasture in Central America between 1979 and 1994: 1) favourable markets for livestock products; 2) subsidised credit and road construction; 3) land-tenure policies; 4) limited technological change in livestock production; 5) policies which reduce timber values; 6) reduced levels of political violence; and 7) characteristics specific to cattle which make conversion attractive. Deforestation rates in Central America declined in the 1980s, but remained high.

There have been several major research efforts on the rate and causes of Indonesia's deforestation in recent years and much associated literature, but there is still no consensus in the research community on these issues. This paper reviews the areas of uncertainty and confusion, and proposes questions that must be answered to get a better grasp of the subject. Among the key questions are: (1) How are we to define "forest", "deforestation" and "agency” in the context of Indonesia?

Het rapport doet verslag van een onderzoek naar ruimtelijke kwaliteit van vier kassengebieden in Europa: Zuid-Holland, Vlaanderen/Brabant/Antwerpen (België), Bretagne/Pays de la Loire (Frankrijk) en Almería (Spanje). Ruimtelijke kwaliteit wordt gebaseerd op gebruiks-, belevings- en toekomstwaarde. De vier gebieden worden op die aspecten met elkaar vergeleken. Nagegaan wordt of de buitenlandse ervaringen gebruikt kunnen worden om de ruimtelijke kwaliteit van Nederlandse kassengebieden te verbeteren.

Historically, water management has not been easy in the sub-region. Three climate interlinked factors have had a direct influence on it. The first is the aridity that affects all countries of the sub-region. It is impressing to think that about ninety percent of the area of the Maghrebine countries receive less than 100 mm rainfall per year that is poorly distributed. The second is the huge evaporation from open water reservoirs. For example, annual losses due to canal evaporation reach 2 cubic km in Egypt. Another factor is drought.

The area northwest of Mt Kenya is undergoing rapid land use changes caused by a population influx. Rapid population growth and subsequent pressure on land raise the problem of how to increase and sustain agricultural production while at the same time conserving the natural resources (montane forest with Olea africana and Juniperus procera as main species at 2900 m asl.). Deterioration in soil physical and chemical properties following deforestation for agriculture can adversely affect crop production, especially from soils on mountain slopes.

Looks at land ownership and the consequences of land degradation in Kenya.Contains interview with IDRC personnel Harmut Krugmann.