Forest Conversion Soil Degradation Farmers Perception Nexus

Forest Conversion, Soil Degradation, Farmers' Perception Nexus

Forest coversion - soil degradation - farmers´ perception nexus: Implications for sustainable land use in the southwest of Ethiopia

Forest conversion - soil degradation - farmers’ perception nexus: Implications for sustainable land use in the southwest of Ethiopia. Resettlements in the forest regions instigate considerable impacts on the natural resource base. This study presents a comparative assessment of the biophysical processes of resource degradation and the farmers’ awareness in a cereal-based farming system of the settlers and an indigenous coffee-based farming system. The study analyzes the extent of forest conversion and soil degradation in the two farming systems. Furthermore, the farmers’ response and coping mechanisms are assessed. The need for providing land management technologies to farmers to use their resources sustainably is emphasized and a review of the resettlement policy is underlined.

Proceedings of the 5th International Workshop on The role of forests for future global development

The sustainable management of forest resources became an indispensable prerequisite for any policy addressing the actual and future challenges of globabl development. Forests and other tree resources are essential for the provision of ecosystem services and contribute largely to future food security, livelihoods and ecosystem stability. Forests and any other trees outside the forest play a relevant role all three great UN conventions (on Climate Change, on Biodiversity, and on Combatting Desertification). The policy processes to implement the measures in these conventions on sub-national, national, regional and international level are extremely complex. This complexity comes, among other factors, from a blend of different sectoral and national interests, from a large number of scientifically not yet entirely resolved issues and a wide range of different biophysical, social, cultural and political conditions all over the world.