Part I: Introduction; Part II: Valuation of ecosystem services and biophysical indicators of NRM impacts; Part III: Methodological advances for a comprehensive impact assessment; Part IV: NRM impact assessment in practice.

This book, which contains 15 separately authored chapters, discusses both the principles and applications of an integrated approach to natural resource management. Such an approach must embrace the complexity of systems and redirect research towards the greater inclusion of issues such as participatory approaches, multi-scale analysis and an array of tools for system analysis, information management and impact assessment. Case studies, particularly from developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, are included. This book is of interest to a wide range of readers in many disciplines, including forestry, soil and management sciences, agriculture, and development studies.

This book is addressed to scientists, researchers, development specialists and policy makers who deal with natural resources and agriculture in the developing countries. It aims to (1) provide evidence of the impact of natural resource management research (NRMR) in the CGIAR; (2) establish a methodological foundation for impact assessments of NRMR; and (3) draw up a set of lessons for future impact assessment studies. The book consists of three main parts. Part I (chapters 1-3) provides the definitional, historical, and theoretical background for NRMR impact assessment in the CGIAR. Part II (chapters 4-11) presents the methods and results of seven case studies on the impact of NRMR projects carried out in the CGIAR. Two summary chapters (12 and13) are presented in part III. The book has a subject index.

This book briefly traces the evolution of integrated natural resources management (INRM) concepts in the CGIAR. Selected field research projects exemplify the approaches that several Centres and their partners are using to develop international public goods (IPGs) which improve the productivity and sustainability of their mandate commodities and resource systems through the use and management of natural resources.