Recent history reveals that both the large-scale reforestation projects of the 20th century have often been less successful than anticipated, and that tree growing by smallholders – as an alternative means to combat deforestation and promote sustainable land use – has received relatively little attention from the scientific and development communities. Taking a first step to addressing that balance, this collection of peer-reviewed papers adopts a comparative approach to explore the potential role that tree growing by farmers can play in sustainable forest management. The goal of this approach is to identify common threads and to start to develop a framework for future research and practice. Presenting case studies from the Philippines and comparative data from a number of Asian countries the book reveals that farmer tree growing has the potential to play a significant role in sustainable forest management, and discusses the surrounding issues which must be addressed in order to realise this potential. The book is primarily aimed at research scientists and graduate students interested in relevant aspects of forestry, agroforestry, agricultural diversity, natural resource management and conservation in agricultural landscapes, as well as those involved in sustainable development and international development studies. It will also provide a valuable reference for professionals, managers, consultants, policy makers and planners dealing with issues in sustainable development, natural resource management, land use change issues and participatory approaches to resource management.

Introduction of the seminar; Acknowledgements; State of art in agroforestry; Highlights in agroforestry research and practice; Significance of social organization and cultural attitudes for agroforestry development; Classification of agroforestry systems; Economics in agroforestry; Silvicultural concepts in agroforestry; Ergonomics and its possible applications in agroforestry; A critical analysis of an agroforestry project in Acosta and Puriscal, Costa Rica; Criteria for the evaluation of organic matter and nutrient cycling in agroforestry systems; Agroforestry system interactions: man-tree-crop-animal; Case studies: soil and plant aspects of agroforestry systems; Response of hybrid Theobroma cacao to two shade associations in Turrialba, Costa Rica; Associations between cacao (Theobroma cacao) and shade trees in southern Bahia, Brazil; Nutrient cycling in agroforestry systems of coffee (Coffea arabica) with shade trees in the central experiment of CATIE; Experiences with coffee shade trees in Costa Rica; Coffee and cacao plantations under shade trees in Venezuela; The pejibaye palm (Bactris gasipaes H.B.K.) as a potential agroforestry species; Agroforestry systems with Gliricidia sepium; Alley cropping of annual food crops with woody legumes in Costa Rica; Results from the CATIE "Central Experiment": pasture and shade tree associations; Experiences with fence line fodder trees in Costa Rica and Nicaragua; Priorities for research on nitrogen fixation in agroforestry systems; Population dynamics of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in pastures; Case studies: diagnosis and technologies for agroforestry; The ICRAF agroforestry farming systems approach international council for research in agroforestry; Farmer'attitudes towards trees; Factors affecting the adoption of agroforestry innovations by traditional farmers; Development and application of agroforestry practices in tropical Asia; Agroforestry in Africa: potentials and constraints to technical and socio-economic development; Agroforestry experiences in southern Sudan with special reference to small farmers; Characteristics of farms producing basic grains in four areas of Central America; Case studies: economics and ergonomics in agroforestry; Economics of agroforestry systems in Africa; Economics of agroforestry systems in Asia; Advances in economic studies of agroforestry plantations in Central America; Ergonomic and biological aspects of human work in agroforestry productions systems; Reports of working groups: evaluation and specific recommendations; Working group A: soil and plant aspects of agroforestry systems; Working groupo B; Diagnosis and technologies for agroforesry; Working group C: Economics and ergonomics in agroforestry; Organization; Seminar committee; Participants; Programme.

A story filled with suspense and humor, this classic tale of a town mouse and a country mouse takes a new twist in the imaginative and talented hands of Jan Brett. She introduces two engaging mouse couples eager to get away from their everyday lives. But when they agree to swap homes, they find unexpected adventures around every corner. Lush green scenes alternate with the elegant details of a fine Victorian townhouse to make a sumptuous and stunning picture book.

With subjects ranging from the global challenge of the AIDS epidemic to the role of family planning in developing nations, and the link between Central America's forests and North America's hamburgers, this interdisciplinary introduction by some of the world's foremost experts in development studies will be an essential text for courses in this area. It provides an exhaustive overview of the social, political, economic and population problems of countries in what is usually referred to as the Third World and, more recently, the Fourth World. Although colonialism is considered as a contributing factor to underdevelopment, emphasis in this volume is placed on the interrelation of major social institutions, their impact on economic and social development, and the effect of rapidly expanding industrialization on the ecosystem.

Advances in Solar Energy is back on schedule. Volume III contains a number of interesting reviews of the different fields in solar energy conversion. We appreciate the many encouraging comments received after the second volume appeared and have incorporated some of the suggested changes. Even though most of the reviews are invited through our editors, we are always open to suggestion about subjects of importance that are ready for a com prehensive and critical review and have not been recently covered, or about potential authors. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor John A. Duffie for his invaluable help in starting the Advances in Solar Energy series. Although he has recently taken full responsibility as editor-in-chief for the Solar Energy Journal, his continued assistance as a member of the Board of Editors is greatly appreciated. The diligent work of the many active editors is gratefully acknowledged and constitutes the basis for a valuable review periodical with outstanding contributions. The typesetting was done by Sandra Pruitt in the Delaware office, using the TEX-program with laser print-out. Her organization and patience in coordinating with the authors, and her technical skill and diligence in preparing the submitted copy permitted the timely and high-quality assembly of this production. We wish to commend her for efforts well beyond the call of duty. The accommodating help from Plenum Press and its production staff deserves our grateful acknowledgement.

Plantations are playing an increasingly important part in the development and the economies of the South. Plantation Politics is the first book to examine their rationale and purpose, exposing the misconceptions and myths that have surrounded their role, and describing the contribution they can make to sustainable development. At their best, industrial plantations can become a major asset to local development by providing raw materials, infrastructure, employment, income and environmental and recreational services. At their worst, plantations, usually imposed from a 'top-down' perspective and ignoring local needs, values and rights, have monopolized land in times of food shortage, degraded wild animal and plant populations, and destroyed habitats and landscapes. The contributors analyse the conditions appropriate for both simple and complex plantations, and the contributions each can make. Complex plantations, whether established from scratch or within natural forest, are more suitable in most cases, where they are subject to numerous different claims and needs. However, their ownership, management and silviculture present new challenges challenges which, without the carefully researched guidelines offered here, current policy and research may well be ill-equipped to take up. Caroline Sargent is the Director and Stephen Bass is the Associate Director of the Forestry Programme at the International Institute for Environment and Development. Originally published in 1992

In 1984, when this book was originally published the need to take forestry outside the forests and involve local people in tree growing was widely recognised. Projects to encourage farm and community forestry were launched in over 50 developing countries. This book describes the main approaches which were taken, discussing their scope and limitation. It examines the reasons why people plant trees, and the constraints which prevent them from doing so. It analyses supply and demand systems for wood, and the underlying forces causing tree depletion. Key aspects of programme design and implementation are also covered, including technical problems, the role of extension services and programme planning requirements.