Towards a science of sustainable upland management in developing countries

Abstract

Farmers attempting to subsist in tropical uplands often rely upon unsustainable resource use practices that lead to soil erosion, declining crop yields, and a loss of soil productivity capacity. Other uses of tropical uplands, including logging and conversion of forest to rangelands, have similar results. The undesirable effects of these actions are felt on-site, at the watershed level, and even nationally. Ecological cause-effect relationships are poorly understood, and few examples exist of the successful integration of ecological knowledge with upland development. It is hypothesized that recent results of ecological research could be applied to uplands management so that stable sustainable systems of human use may be established. A second hypothesis is that statistically reliable data can be obtained from experiments in upland situations, although natural variations of soils, weather, and vegetation are great. To test these hypotheses, research involving multinational collaboration among American and Southeast Asian scientists has begun. The objective of the work is to provide credible quantitative information to help policy and decision makers and resident farmers to plan and implement improved practices based on ecological principles.

Some findings to date include:

• 1. Ecological principles are difficult to relate to the practical context of upland agroecosystems. Indeed, the null hypothesis is necessary for planning experiments and demonstrations.

• 2. The “signal-to-noise” ratio in these field experiments is low, and the detection of changes due to human intervention in soil erosion, nutrient movement, and plant productivity is difficult.

• 3. Obstacles to field research in developing countries include logistic, cultural, political, and institutional factors. It is essential that local land managers participate from the start with scientific researchers in designing experiments.

• 4. Planned collaboration among academic and government scientists facilitates design of relevant research and the implementation of results.

• 5. The idea of ecologically based management has been well received by researchers and government officials in Asia. There is little argument with the logic of the approach.

• 6. Pressures for quick responses to urgent problems in the uplands conflict with the need for careful, long-term, statistically valid scientific research.

• 7. Ecological principles are vaguely understood and poorly articulated in the scientific literature. The transfer and application of ecological science to the developing world would be enhanced by clearer statements of principles.