* Shows how management of local resources can be done best by the local community for the local community* Covers common property, protected areas, landscape, forests, watersheds, soil and water management* Presents successful new approaches to collective decision-making and the principles of good practiceDrawing on extensive and important case studies, this book presents innovative approaches for participation and collective decision-making in natural resource management, good practice for research, and challenges for future developments. It employs the practical lessons to show how to organize participatory research, the forms of participation and quality of the science involved, and how to scale up participatory approaches and successful initiatives in resource management.Those professionally involved, whether in the field, programme managers or policy-makers will find its analysis and conclusions invaluable. It will also be a very suitable text for students of both the biophysical and social science aspects of natural resource management.

Drawing on extensive case studies, this book presents innovative approaches for participation and collective decision-making in natural resource management, good practice for research and challenges for future developments. It employs the practical lessons to show how to organize participatory research, the forms of participation and quality of the science involved, and how to scale up participatory approaches and successful initiatives in resource management.

Agricultural Systems, Second Edition, is a comprehensive text for developing sustainable farming systems. It presents a synthetic overview of the emerging area of agroecology applications to transforming farming systems and supporting rural innovation, with particular emphasis on how research can be harnessed for sustainable agriculture. The inclusion of research theory and examples using the principles of cropping system design allows students to gain a unique understanding of the technical, biological, ecological, economic and sociological aspects of farming systems science for rural livelihoods. This book explores topics such as: re-inventing farming systems; principles and practice of agroecology; agricultural change and low-input technology; ecologically-based nutrient management; participatory breeding for developing improved and relevant crops; participatory livestock research for development; gender and agrarian inequality at the local scale; the nature of agricultural innovation; and outreach to support rural innovation. The extensive coverage of subjects is complemented with integrated references and a companion website, making this book essential reading for courses in international agricultural systems and management, sustainable agricultural management, and cropping systems. This book will be a valuable resource for students of agricultural science, environmental engineering, and rural planning; researchers and scientists in agricultural development agencies; and practitioners of agricultural development in government extension programs, development agencies, and NGOs.