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Informationen zum Autor John A. Dixon, David E. James, Paul B. Sherman Klappentext We have always had land in which the agricultural productivity is limited because there is not enough moisture. Systems of farming and burning often degrade dryland further until it is desert. Today, however, the problem is becoming much more serious. Over 20 per cent of the world's population lives in dryland areas, and unless action is taken drylands will increase dramatically.This book focuses on the people who live and .farm in the drylands, their use of land resources and the economic returns from their decisions. In a clear and thorough economic appraisal, the authors show how it is still possible to arrest the problem.Originally published in 1989 Zusammenfassung Focuses on the people who live and farm in the drylands, their use of land resources and the economic returns from their decisions. Inhaltsverzeichnis Foreword Preface 1. The Dry land Problem Dimensions of the problem History and Background of Dryland Usage; Current Conditions in the Drylands; The Future of the Drylands References 2. Dry land Characteristics and the Degradation Process Physical and biological characteristics Climate; Surface Water and Groundwater Resources; Topography and Soils; Vegetation; Animal Populations Degradation and land use Degradation Processes; Livestock Production; Rainfed Crop production; Irrigated Agriculture; Forestry and Agroforestry; Other Land Uses Social and institutional factors Human Factors; Institutional and Political Factors References 3. The Role of Public Policy in Dryland Development and Management Policies Towards the Drylands Diversity of Dryland Problems; The Case for Public Assistance; General Policy Issues in Development Planning; Formulation of Policies, Programmes and Projects; Economics and the Policy Process Designing appropriate policies Economic Issues in Designing Remedial Action; Determining the Appropriate Level of Protection; Desirable Characteristics of Policies, Programmes and Projects The Economics of Dry land Management Social, Cultural and Institutional Factors Human Factors; Institutional Factors References 4. General Economic Principles and Techniques of Analysis Concepts of Economic Welfare Measurement of Benefits and Costs Price Distortions; Economic Externalities; Use Rights and Resource Management Systems; The Effect of Time; Breakdown of Resource Management Systems; Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources; Irreversible Damage to Resources; Risk and Uncertainty Design of an Economic Analysis Techniques of Economic Analysis References 5. Managing Drylands as Renewable Economic Resources Renewable Production Systems in Dryland Areas Sustainable Production from Dryland Ecosystems; Products of Dryland Areas; Economic Management Objectives Degradation: Causes and Corrective Actions Perspective of the Land User; Externalities and Open-Access Common Property Resource Effects; Corrective Policies and Strategies Dryland Agriculture and Forestry Rainfed Crop Management; Dryland Forestry; Appropriate Farm Technology; Soil and Water Conservation Grazing systems key Variables in Grazing Management; Handling Stochastic Conditions; Computer Simulation Modelling of Dryland Grazing Systems References 6. Economic Appraisal of Investments in Dryland Progammes and Projects Financial Analysis Social Benefit¿Cost Analysis Project Costs; Physical Boundaries of Analysis; Shadow Prices; Dealing with Inflation; Secondary Impacts; Calculation of Net Social Benefits; Income Distiibution Decision Criteria Choosing a Decision Criterion Cost-Effectiveness Analysis References 7. Valuation of On-Site and Off-Site Effects Valuation of Productivity Changes On-Site Productivity Changes; Off...
