African Mountains and Highlands: Introduction and Resolutions

Author(s): Bruno Messerli, Hans Hurni, Bekure Wolde-Semayat, Shibru Tedla, Jack D.
Ives and Mesfin Wolde-Mariam
Source: Mountain Research and Development , May - Aug., 1988, Vol. 8, No. 2/3, African
Mountains and Highlands (May - Aug., 1988), pp. 93-100
Published by: International Mountain Society

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3673435

REFERENCES
Linked references are available on JSTOR for this article:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3673435?seq=1&cid=pdf-
reference#references_tab_contents
You may need to log in to JSTOR to access the linked references.

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide
range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and
facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at
https://about.jstor.org/terms

International Mountain Society is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend
access to Mountain Research and Development

This content downloaded from

157.193.3.133 on Tue, 27 Jul 2021 04:29:15 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
Mountain Research and Development, Vol. 8, Nos. 2/3, 1988, pp. 93-100

AFRICAN MOUNTAINS AND HIGHLANDS: INTRODUCTION AND RESOLUTIONS

BRUNO MESSERLI1, HANS HURNI1, BEKURE WOLDE-SEMAYAT2, SHIBRU TEDLA2, JACK D. IVES3, AND MESFIN WOLDE

ABSTRACT Of the African continent, 45 percent of the land has slopes of at least 8 percent; more than 55 percent is
500 m, more than 20 percent is higher than 1,000 m, and about one percent is higher than 2,000 m. Mountain ranges
deeply-incised gorges or escarpments, and highlands are huge resource areas of great importance for Africa's growing
An integrated methodological approach is proposed as a basis for common research and development strategies and for
studies in Africa's differing mountain ecosystems.
Generally adopted Resolutions opened the way for the foundation of an Association for Research and Developmen
Mountains and Highlands or, in short, the African Mountain Association (AMA).

RESUMI Les hautes terres et montagnes africaines: Introduction et risolutions. Sur le continent africain, 45 pour cent des terres o
d'au moins 8 pour cent; plus de 55 pour cent d'entre elles se trouvent a plus de 500 m d'altitude, plus de 20 pour ce
1.000 m et environ 1 pour cent a plus de 2.000 m. Les chaines de montagne et les massifs, les gorges profondes ou escar
et les hautes terres constituent de vastes ressources d'une importance primordiale pour la population croissante de l'
approche m6thodologique int6gre est propos6e comme base pour des stategies communes de recherche et d6veloppem
des etudes comparatives des diff&rents 6cosystemes montagnards de l'Afrique.
Des resolutions adopt6es en majorite ont permis d'6tablir l'Association pour la recherche et le d6veloppement dans les
et hautes terres africaines, ou tout simplement l'Association pour les montagnes africaines (AMA).

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Gebirge und Hochliinder in Afrika: Einfiilrung und Resolutionen. 45 % des afrikanischen Kontinents besteht
Relief mit Hangwinkeln fiber 8%; mehr als 55% ist h6her als 500 m, mehr als 20% h6her als 1000 m und 1% ist h6her
Gebirge im weitesten Sinne und Hochlinder sind Gebiete mit Ressourcen, die fiir die rasch wachsende Bev61lkerung
h6chster Bedeutung sind. Ein methodisch integraler Ansatz wird postuliert als Grundlage fiir kiinftige Forschungs- und Ent
strategien, aber auch fiir vergleichbare Untersuchungen in den sehr verschiedenen Gebirgs6kosystemen dieses Kontine

THE AFRICAN CONTINENT AND ITS MOUNTAINS AND HIGHLANDS

Mountains, independent of their altitude, have 20always

percent is higher than 1,000 m, and about 1 pe
played an important role in the culture and historyisof
higher
man- than 2,000 m (Figure 1).
kind. Mountains are sacred places in all regions of our
Mountains cannot be defined by altitude only. In g
world, the home of the Gods: Fujiyama, Olympus, eral,Sinai,
they are characterized by a relief which results in
and many mountains in the Himalaya, the Andes, and
tudinal, ecological, climatic, and land-use differentiat
Indonesia are only examples. Yet tradition also tells us thatgeomorphic processes or mountain hazards (
produces
these Gods could be bad or good, a source of destruction
example, actual and potential erosion, mass movem
or of life for a vast surrounding area: bad if we think of to clear highland-lowland gradients and i
and leads
volcanic eruptions, erosion, mass movements, or floods;
actions in natural and human systems (Messerli, 1
good if we think of permanent water flow as a basis for
In Africa, many different types of mountains and high
life-support systems in the surrounding densely-populated
are found throughout the continent, and can be gene
plains and lowlands. grouped in three categories: mountains, deeply-in
In our rational and technological century, in a time of and escarpments, and highlands and platea
valleys
man's rapidly increasing intervention in mountain envi-
Mountains can be ranges or chains, such as the R
ronments, we should again consider our cultural knowl-
the Atlas in North Africa. They can also form massifs
edge: that mountains are sacred places that can bevery
a source
different summits, like the Ruwenzori or the Ti
A mountain
of destruction or of life. When we intervene in these fragile may also be a more uniform volcanic con
environments, we take from the Gods an important Mt.part
Kenya or Mt. Cameroon. Yet smaller mountain
of responsibility for the reasonable use of mountain re- such as those in West Africa, also belong to
even hills,
sources and for the sustainable development of mountain
category and correspond to the general definition of m
ecosystems. This is certainly true for Africa, wheretains, with clearly-differentiated ecological belts
45 per-
cent of the continent (30,113 million km2) consists gradients.
of slopes Deeply-incised valleys or escarpments (Figu
of at least 8 percent (FAO, 1986). Furthermore, more
withthan
mountain-like slopes are of special interest in A
55 percent of the continent is higher than 500 m, more thanValley gorge in Ethiopia and the Rift Vall
The Nile

1Geographical Institute, University of Berne, Hallerstrasse 12, 3012 Berne, Switzerland.

2Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
3Department of Geography, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, U.S.A.
4P.O. Box 7275, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This content downloaded from

157.193.3.133 on Tue, 27 Jul 2021 04:29:15 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
94 / MOUNTAIN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

= I 500m.
500- 1000 m.

1000 - 2000 m.

> 2000 m.

0 1000 km

Source:

GRID/ UNEP

FIGURE 1. Altitudinal zonation of Africa.

FIGURE 2. Analu Mountain (4,473 m) from Maje, Simen Moun-

tains, Ethiopia.

FIGURE 3. Deeply incised valley

and escarpment; Borkenna River
between Kombolcha and Desse,
Ethiopia.

This content downloaded from

157.193.3.133 on Tue, 27 Jul 2021 04:29:15 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
 B. MESSERLI ET AL. / 95

FIGURE 4. Highland and escarpment; Jinbar valley, Simen Mountains, Ethiopia.

REDUCED CARRYING CAPACITY BY THE YEAR 2000 CARRYING CAPACITY < PRESENT POPULATION
WITHOUT SOIL CONSERVATION MEASURES (LOW LEVEL OF INPUT)

-xi-

Reduction:

> 50% .Critical

areas

915 1-30%

<15 %

FAO 1986 FAO, EARTHWATCH 1983

FIGURE 5. Erosion and population. FIGURE 6. Cultivation area and population.

Kenya and Tanzania show extreme ecological and climato-

and socio-economic interactions with the surrounding
logical elevational gradients. The lowest zone of the Examples of such highland areas can be fou
lands.
Ethiopian escarpment is a cultural border, withEthiopia,
an eco- Kenya, Southern Africa, and can be com
nomic exchange function between a highland farming
with sys-
deeply-incised valleys or with mountain systems
rise above
tem and a nomadic lowland livestock system (Figure 3). their general level (Figure 4).
Highlands and plateaus are flat units of different orders
While there are no mountain ranges comparable to
Himalaya or the Andes in Africa, the mountains
of magnitude in elevation, where climatological limitations,
sloping areas are nevertheless of the highest impo
such as frost, can occur even in the tropics and subtropics.
Thus they result in clear ecological-agricultural gradients
for the future development of many African countrie

This content downloaded from

157.193.3.133 on Tue, 27 Jul 2021 04:29:15 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
96 / MOUNTAIN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

ticularly in tropical and subtropical regions, they have more situation of erosion and its effects on population which are
favourable environmental conditions and greater resource estimated for the year 2000 (Figure 5), and consider that
potential than the surrounding areas. Consequently, they current carrying capacities for rapidly growing populations
have or could have intensive land use and dense popula- in much of Africa are insufficient (Figure 6), we have to
tions. However, without a clear understanding of the rela- come to the conclusion that the mountainous areas will be
tively fragile environments of these areas, degradation increasingly integrated in demographic, agricultural, and
political processes.
processes are almost inevitable. If we observe the critical

A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR AFRICAN MOUNTAINS AND HIGHLANDS

An approach for better understanding mountain we haveand

to understand the functions and processe
highland ecosystems is shown in Figure 7. Natural pro-
integrated natural and socio-economic system. Th
levelsystem.
cesses and human activities interact in the land-use demands an analysis of the short- and lo
Each natural system has a particular suitability effects
for resourceof certain human interventions. The last s
use and production, depending on local conditions. level of The decision making, based upon different sc
human socio-economic system has economic,The social,
whole cul- is an assessment of an integrated man-
tural, demographic, and political components which ment vary system or the determination of an equ
from region to region and from nation to nation. between man and nature as a fundamental base for a sus-
Human
activities determine the pattern, intensity, and tainable development.
techniques
of land use. If these activities are not adapted to the Figure 8 shows how a landscape may be degraded, or
natural
system they will provoke serious environmental conflicts.
developed for sustainable use. The difference is not only
Equally, certain limitations are defined by the natural
a question of erosion or of partial repair. The highly pro-
system and, if not in equilibrium with humanductive landscape is a symbol for a functioning human
activities,
they can damage the land use or socio-economic societysystem.
whose economic, social, cultural, and political com-
Every local or regional system, whether a village, ponentsa valley,
are adapted to the natural environment. Refores-
or a mountain region, is influenced by external factors.
tation, If
soil conservation, irrigation, terracing, artificial
these cannot be adapted to the local problems and lakes,condi-
traffic systems, market organizations, and social
tions, they may have severe effects on the course of de-
structures all demand coordination and cooperation. In the
velopment. Herein lies the responsibility of national,
eroded landscape, in contrast, individuals fight alone and
regional, and local decision makers and opinion withoutleaders.
common action against nature to survive from day
The generalized scheme must be modified to suit the
to day, frompar-year to year. Life in this vicious circle is hope-
ticular conditions of every research or development less and ends
area. in disaster for man and nature. We need not
More precisely, the key processes and the limitations must
only urgent measures to change the course of such develop-
ments, butpro-
be clearly identified and introduced in decision-making also conceptual frameworks for research and
cesses at all levels, from the political authorities development
to the single strategies and for better collaboration between
farmer. Such an analysis, even on the basis of scientists,
"minimum decision makers, and local people.
data need," could follow the three levels on Figure 7. First,

RESEARCH STRATEGIES

The following points were elaborated at the CARRYING CAPACITY

end of the
workshop and adopted by all the participants.
African mountain ecosystems are severely threatened.
The aim of research must be to raise the carrying capacity
RESEARCH APPROACH of these ecosystems to the maximum sustainable level. Re-
In contrast to many other environments, mountain eco- search activities include:
systems form mosaics of variability and have significant Resource Inventory: Inventories of the present status, tradi-
effects on the surrounding lowlands. Research and develop- tional knowledge, and areal variability of resources are
ment must therefore take account of this variability. This needed to understand the problems of degradation and
cannot be achieved by laboratory research; field work is to carry out preventive or rehabilitation research in
needed! Research and development should interact with selected mountain and highland areas. Use and man-
both traditional and modern mountain land-use systems. agement of resources must be related to the history of
land use and to the cultural, socio-economic, and politi-
RESEARCH INTEGRATION cal situation. Examples include the use of soils, water,
We need improved links between research and traditional land, forest, and wildlife.
land use and conservation practices. However, to attain Resource Dynamics: Interdisciplinary research on resource
maximum effectiveness and implementation, we also need potentials and key degradation processes must be under-
better links between research and development activities taken at different scales, using the conceptual framework
by governments, communities, and individuals. of mountain ecosystems and the case study approach in

This content downloaded from

157.193.3.133 on Tue, 27 Jul 2021 04:29:15 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
 B. MESSERLI ET AL. / 97

THE ASSESSMENT OF A MAN-ENVIRONMENT-SYSTEM

CONTENTS METHODS

I A,

II i \

STRATEGIES , SCENARIOS
LEVEL OF DECISION MAKING ALTERNATIVES

EFFECTS IMPACTANALYSIS
LEVEL OF VERIFICATION IF..., THEN...

FUNCTION, PROCESSES / BASIC AN APPLIED RESEARCH

LEVEL OF PRODUCTION WHAT. WHY,WHEN

N: NATURE

L: LANDUSE

M: MAN: ::... ...

SOCIO-ECONOMIC SYSTEM

ECOSYSTEM

NATURE LANDUSE MAN EXTERNAL

INFLUENCE

CLIMATE CULTIVATION ECONOMY

LIMITATIONS LIMITATIONS POLICY

WATER CLIMATE
WATER \\GRAZING WOOD SHORTAGES
HARVEST PRODUCTION SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
SIFOE CULTURAL INTERACTIONS
SOIL SLOPE FOREST WATER SHORTAGES CHARACT

RELIEF KEY SETTLEMENT

PROCESSES KEY PROCESSES INFRASTRUCTURE
REDUCTION

GEOLOY OVERGRAZING ROADS INCREASE/ RESEARCH INPUT

DEFORESTATION DECREASE OF LANDUSE POLITICS
VEGETATION SOILEROSION MINING
POLLUTION INTERNATIONAL

AUNA WILDFE TOURISM DEMOGRAPHY INTERACTIONS

LOCAL AND REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM

FIGURE 7. The assessment of a man-environment-system.

This content downloaded from

157.193.3.133 on Tue, 27 Jul 2021 04:29:15 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
98 / MOUNTAIN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

proaches. This can only occur if funds are made

order to understand the effects and impacts on other re-
sources in the system. Examples include the monitoringand if institutions develop both formal and funct
ing. Examples include agronomic research fo
of changes in physical, cultural, and socio-economic
parameters; these include soils, climate, vegetation, ratesareas, agro-forestry, conservation of soil, silvicu
and types of soil degradation, water balance, incomesystem analysis and modelling, and use of oral t
levels, land tenure, land-use patterns, and social infra- and cultural heritages.
structure.

Dissemination and Implementation of Research.: COORDINATION

It is impera-
tive that the most effective methods and channelsResearch
be used in African mountain ecosystems has been
to integrate dissemination and implementation uncoordinated
with on-and intermittent. Researchers and appro-
priate
going research activities. These activities must takeagencies
place must cooperate and communicate at
at three levels: among mountain peoples, national,
amongintra-African,
dif- and extra-African levels.
ferent administrative and political levels, and among
PRINCIPLES
scientists. An example would be the application ofFOR PRIORITIES
re-
search to improve existing land-use systems. Priority in absolute terms is unrealistic and will depend
Impact Assessment and Monitoring.: Long-termon local conditions. Nevertheless, the following principles
monitoring
for selecting priorities should apply. First priority should
is critical for understanding the impact of development
be given
on the land use, culture, economy, technology, andto research and development related to assessing
per-
and
ception of local people, so that interventions orreversing
correc-key degradation processes, and to rehabili-
tions can be started expeditiously. tating resource bases that are on the threshold of irre-
versibly losing their potential for production or regenera-
TRAINING tion. Further priority should be given to the on-site con-
Research and development for African mountain eco-
servation of intact mountain ecosystems with important
systems requires personnel trained in methods genetic, natural, and cultural resources and to the develop-
and tech-
ment of alternative
nologies, particularly for integrated field application, that land-use scenarios.
are appropriate for the implementation of innovative ap-

SOME IDEAS FOR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Development is seen as the improvement of of

the
decision
qualitymaking and implementation. In addition, the
of human life in the African mountains and highlands
need is recognized for extension services and training o
theutilization
through the rational, efficient, and sustainable people to better understand their environment a
of available natural resources for present and more
future gen-
efficiently utilize natural resources. There is a nee
erations. African mountains and highlands aretohighly vul-the experiences of other mountain countri
learn from
in Europe,
nerable to degradation and, with increasing human Latin America, Asia, and Africa and to e
activi-
ties, the rate of degradation may accelerate. Thus,
changedevel-
views to aid in the development of African mou
opment in the African mountains and highlands
tains andwill
highlands.
involve arresting, reversing, and improving theInprocess
general of
we need:
- Understanding
degradation wherever possible, to enable the continued sus- of the environmental perception of th
tainable use of natural resources. local population.
Development should begin with the assessment -and
Integration of local knowledge.
recognition of the needs felt by the people who depend - Careful
on planning of development for the most econom
mountain ecosystems. It is generally recognized that these and sustainable use of natural resources.
-Collaboration of decision makers on all levels, from
would include problems such as food security, social infra-
political and administrative authorities to local co
structure, availability of water, housing materials, and fuel,
and even the opportunity to participate in the processes munities and even individual farmers.

RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION 1
to ensure wide recognition of the importance of develop-
Whereas the mountain and highland ecosystems ofing appropriate research and management strategies and
Africa offer many unique resource development and con- of their effective integration into the resource-use decision
servation possibilities, and, making process.
whereas adequate knowledge of their structure and func-
tioning is not presently available, and,
whereas such lack of understanding can, and is, lead-RESOLUTION 2
ing to serious resource damage, especially in terms of soil Whereas the achievement of the broad objectives of
and vegetation degradation and, therefore, to loss to the Resolution 1 cannot be realized without establishment of
peoples of Africa, an effective African network for research and training, and,
be it resolved that urgent and immediate steps be taken whereas this is the first occasion on which scholars with

This content downloaded from

157.193.3.133 on Tue, 27 Jul 2021 04:29:15 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
 B. MESSERLI ET AL. / 99

THE ERODED LANDSCAPE --

The consequences of degradation

ik
THE CULTIVATED LANDSCAPE-vi
What can be done: Prevention and repair

_-----------

modified from FAO 1986

FIGURE 8. The eroded and the cultivated landscape.

RESOLUTION
experience in mountain and highland ecosystems from 3
many parts of Africa have met together, Whereas highland and mountain regions throughout the
be it resolved that the following organizational steps
world bewitnessed the evolution of endemic and highly
have
taken: adapted floras and faunas, as well as cultural strategies,
and,
a) formation of an organization for African Mountain and
Highland Research, whereas only a small fraction of these (e.g., Andean
b) production of a newsletter for dissemination potatoes,
of scien- maize, Ethiopian barley) have been transferred
tific and development information, world-wide and have changed the food resource base for
c) planning for a second African Mountain and Highland
virtually the whole of humankind,
Workshop in two-to-three years' time, be it resolved that an appropriate institutional frame-
d) preparation of a series of monographs on the work
different
be established to test, interchange, and adapt to
African mountain and highland regions, African mountain regions, gene-pool resources, and cul-
e) use of the United Nations University, UNESCO,
tural experience from other high-altitude areas and vice
UNEP, the International Mountain Society versa
and(e.g.,
itsAndean quinoa and tubers; African enset and
tef),
journal Mountain Research and Development, the and furthermore, that the enormous accumulation of
Interna-
tional Geographical Union, the Internationalindigenous
Union of and traditional ecosystem knowledge and
Biological Sciences/Comparative Studies in experience
Tropical be recognized, recorded, and utilized.
Mountain Ecosystems, the International Centre for
Integrated Mountain Development, and other RESOLUTION
appro-4
Be it resolved
priate organizations, for world-wide dissemination of that the natural and human sciences work
progress and research results, and exchange of together
ideas and
in an interdisciplinary manner for a fuller under-
experiences, standing of African mountain and highland ecosystems.
f) maintenance and further development of close collabora-
tion between the University of Berne, Switzerland, and RESOLUTION 5
relevant African national research and educational insti- Be it resolved that appropriate steps be taken to acceler-
tutions, ate the integration of expanding scientific knowledge of
g) exploration of means to enhance training opportunities African mountains and highlands (as demonstrated by this
in African mountain and highland ecosystem research. Workshop) and resource management policy formulation.
This content downloaded from
157.193.3.133 on Tue, 27 Jul 2021 04:29:15 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
100 / MOUNTAIN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ON

AFRICAN MOUNTAINS AND HIGHLANDS (AMA)

As a consequence of the Research and Development - Work towards the establishment of a journal of Africa
Strategies and the adopted Resolutions, the workshop par- Mountains and Highlands.
ticipants decided to found an association with the follow-
ing draft constitution: 4. ORGANIZATION
The association will have a secretary who will coord
nate the association's activities. Membership will be open
1. PREAMBLE
to scholars and development agents working on Africa
Whereas an important part of the African continent is mountains and highlands. One member from each inter-
highlands and mountains and most of this is both under ested country will become a representative of the associa
active human use and constitutes areas of population con- tion in that country, and will liaise with the secretary o
centration, enhancing the degradation of the ecosystem andthe association.
thus requiring focused attention; and,
whereas the identification of the need to exchange 5. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARIAT
presently available information has resulted in the first - Coordinate and facilitate meetings of the association.
African Mountains Workshop, -Publish and disseminate the AMA newsletter.
there is an urgent need to generate further information -Identify possible sources of support for research on
on all aspects of mountain ecosystems and create appro- African mountains and highlands.
priate forums for communication, coordination, and ex- -Promote the further development of the association.
change of such information, The association is being provisionally established, its
we hereby establish an association to be known as thecontinuation and development being conditional upon deci-
Association for Research and Development on African sions to be taken in the next meeting of the association,
Mountains and Highlands, or, in short, African Moun- which, funds permitting, will take place within three years
tain Association --Association pour les Montagnes Afri- of its founding. In its second meeting, the association will
caines (AMA). decide on its constitution and elect its officials.
The association hopes that international organizations
2. OBJECTIVE will forward their generous support and those already
To avail the necessary forums for the exchange of scien- involved (UNU, UNESCO, IGU, IMS, IUBS, etc.) will
tific information on African mountain and highland eco- continue to support the association in its future activities.
systems, and enhance the generation of further informa- The secretary-general of the association is Dr. Tewolde
tion on them.
Berhan Gebre Egziabher, President of Asmara University,
Box 1220, Asmara, Ethiopia. He edited the first AMA
3. PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES Newsletter and welcomes information, in either French or
- Encourage member countries and institutions to estab- English, on any topic dealing with the African mountains
lish a data base (documentation) on African Mountainsand highlands, in the form of notes, comments, or articles,
and Highlands and make such information available. for publication. In particular, copies or full bibliographic
-Publish and disseminate a biannual AMA newsletter. details of publications on pertinent topics should be sent
- Organize symposia, workshops, seminars, and meetings to the AMA Newsletter, so that lists can be published and
of working groups. members be informed of these documents.

OUTLOOK ON THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN MOUNTAINS AND HIGHLANDS

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Our knowledge about African mountains and highlands

build up a data base for better knowledge, more ef
is inadequate. Despite their importance these areas are
management, and the sustainable development of
scientifically neglected. While some dramatic fragile
changes in
ecosystems for the benefit of the large num
land use and demography have been observed throughout
people who live in or depend on the African mo
andyet
the African mountains and highlands, we are not highlands.
able
to compare processes in different climatic zones of this vast
continent, to understand similarities and dissimilarities, to
REFERENCES
differentiate regional and local features, or to work out
appropriate research and development strategies. For1986:
FAO, the Protect and Produce. Soil Conservation for Develop
moment, we reduce our overview to some generalI/Q5 110 E/3 86/2/3000.
topics,
Messerli,
elaborated in special groups during the workshop. EvenB., 1983: Stability and instability of mountain ec
tems. Mountain
if the following papers offer more detailed information, the Research and Development, 3(1): 81-94.
main aim of the African Mountain Association will be to

This content downloaded from

157.193.3.133 on Tue, 27 Jul 2021 04:29:15 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms