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The Vulnerability of Agricultural Systems to Ecological and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Ecological Indicators
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Abstract

The semi-arid region of sub-Saharan Africa is increasingly becoming the focus of concern of African governments and the international community in the search for a coherent strategy to reverse the downward trend in economic development and to improve the quality of human life. The region is characterized by low and irregular rainfall. Soil fertility is generally low, especially in terms of phosphorus and nitrogen. The use of purchased inputs is minimal. A deteriorating cropland base is forcing large animals out of the farming system, causing a decline in the supply of animal manure and labor. As a result of the increasing human population, there has been a virtual disappearance of the traditional fallow system of soil fertility maintenance.

This is a summary of the presentation given at the Symposium on Ecological Indicators. A full paper was not available for publication.

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© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Bezuneh, T., Yilala, K., Kibreab, T. (1992). The Vulnerability of Agricultural Systems to Ecological and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: McKenzie, D.H., Hyatt, D.E., McDonald, V.J. (eds) Ecological Indicators. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4659-7_40

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4659-7_40

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

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