Land Resources
Now and for the Future

This book stimulates awareness of the critical role of land resources in development.

Anthony Young (Author)

9780521785594, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 20 July 2000

334 pages, 28 b/w illus. 21 tables
24.4 x 17 x 1.8 cm, 0.53 kg

'… valuable contribution to the literature on land resources and land resource issues.' R. V. Birnie, The Geographical Journal

This book provides an authoritative review of the resources of soils, water, climate, forests and pastures on which agriculture depends. It assesses the interactions between land resources and wider aspects of development, including population and poverty. Unless action is taken, the developing world will face recurrent problems of food security and conflict. The book gives some forcefully-expressed criticisms of current methods of assessing land degradation and placing an economic value on land. It should be read by all involved in rural development, including scientists, economists, geographers, sociologists, planners, and students of development studies. It provides a summary and perspective of the field of land resources, and suggests improvements needed to conserve resources for future generations. The hardback edition of the book received excellent reviews.

Preface
Acknowledgments
Note on acronyms and currency
1. Concern for land
2. Land resource issues
3. Resource survey and land evaluation
4. Competition for land
5. Working with farmers
6. Land use planning
7. Land degradation
8. Global issues: climatic change and biodiversity
9. Monitoring change: land resource indicators
10. Costing the earth: the economic value of land resources
11. Land management: caring for resources
12. Research and technology
13. Land, food and people
14. Population, poverty and conflict
15. Awareness, attitudes and actions
Notes
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Rural planning [RPG], Regional & area planning [RP], Social impact of environmental issues [RNT], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Environmental management [RNF], Human geography [RGC], Physical geography & topography [RGB], Environmental economics [KCN]