Priorities For Forestry And Agroforestry Policy Research

The focus of the workshop was on policy and economic issues associated with developing alternativas to slash-and-burn agriculture, since that form of land use is a major cause of tropical deforestation. Particular emphasis is given to the distribution and growth of populations in tropical forest areas, to the effects of shortnend fallow periods, and to opportunities for addressing policy research needs in these areas.

The 'Addressing forestry and agroforestry in National Adaptation Plans: Supplementary guidelines' provide specific guidance for national adaptation planning in the forestry sector. They are intended to be used by national planners and decision–makers working on climate change issues in developing countries and authorities and experts who are contributing to climate change adaptation and NAP formulation and implementation.

Discusses the evolution of forestry and agroforestry and presents the core literature in these fields, covering both traditional and emerging areas. Topics include changes in forest science in the 20th century, the development of agroforestry literature, the role of professional societies and the US

Agroforestry research is central to developing methods for the sustainable use of natural renewable resources, evolving to address the needs of the coming century. It is now necessary to consolidate the scientific gains now being made in process-oriented research and to develop a policy framework to encourage the adoption of sustainable land use practices. Agroforestry plays an important role in conserving forest resources, reducing the need for deforestation. Further, if `forest' is broadly defined as tree cover, agroforestry will also increase the proportion of woody biomass in farming landscapes. The papers selected for inclusion in Agroforestry: Science, Policy, and Practice establish agroforestry as an interdisciplinary science focused on the practical imperative of assisting farmers, forest dwellers and landscape-level planners to achieve sustainable food, fuel and timber production into the 21st century.