Multi-scale characterization of inland valley agro-ecosystems in West Africa.
Inland valleys are defined as the upper reaches of river systems. These include valley bottoms and minor floodplains,their hydromorphic fringes and upland slopes and crests. These occupy 22-52 million ha of land in W. Africa and although of good agricultural potential are only marginally used. An agro-ecological characterization developed in the Cte d'Ivoire, is outlined on 4 levels: macro (1:1 000 000-1:5 000 000), reconnaissance (1:100 000-1:250 000), semi-detailed (1:25 000-1:50 000) and detailed (1:5000-10 000).