This volume brings together selected papers presented and discussed at the Conference on Conservation of West and Central African Rainforests, held in Abidjan, November 5-9, 1990.

World Bank Environment Paper 6. Here is a holistic approach to analyzing the environmental impact of various power systems. Unlike standard impact studies that begin at the project level, this method calls for environmental assessments that start a

World Bank Environment Paper 5. This paper reviews land management practices and agricultural innovation in this semi-arid region since the 1930s, when it was feared that the region would quickly lose its capacity to support its inhabitants and the

World Bank Environment Paper 4. This survey describes the factors that affect tree cultivation and clearance by Kenyan farmers. These factors include agricultural conditions, product markets, the family life cycle, income, and changing demands for

The report is organised into nine chapters. The first chapter gives an account of the forestry situation in West and Central Africa, with emphasis on vegetation distribution and factors affecting forest management. Chapters 2 and 3 highlight past and present silvicultural and forest management practices and also consider management control systems. The relevance of biodiversity and the role of non-timber forest products are explored in Chapter 4. Inter-generational issues, socio-economic factors influencing sustainable forest management, and the relevance of policies and legislation are addressed in Chapters 5, 6 and 7. Chapter 8 outlines strategies and incentives which might be adopted to promote sustainable forest management. The report concludes with suggestions for research which could be undertaken to fill gaps in knowledge which became apparent in the course of this project.

Recognizing that sound information is vital to the progress of conservation, IUCN have gathered together a visual portfolio of maps of rain forests in Africa. The accompanying text analyzes the extent and causes of deforestation and points a way towards sustainable forest development.