Miombo woodlands in a changing environment : securing the resilience and sustainability of people and woodlands

Based on work by the Miombo Network in southern Africa, this book helps decision-makers and general readers alike improve their understanding of the socio-ecology of the Miombo woodlands across southern Africa. It also highlights the importance of and the need for further research on the unique Miombo ecology and its link with economic development. One major challenge facing these woodlands is the influence that direct (both natural and anthropogenic) and indirect drivers of change, as well as interactions between these, have had over the centuries. As such the book explores the socio-economic and ecological interactions that occur in these woodlands and discusses the need for further research to provide a better understanding of these interactions. Drawing on data and information from numerous studies conducted in the last 20 years, the book presents a comparative analysis of policy changes and management experiences in the countries concerned. It also addresses issues of global climate change, since they have an impact on Miombo ecosystem management and restoration, and provides future projections based on an assessment of how climate change has affected the Miombo woodlands in the past. Front Matter ....Pages i-xxix Introduction (Natasha S. Ribeiro, Yemi Katerere, Paxie W. Chirwa, Isla M. Grundy)....Pages 1-8 Biogeography and Ecology of Miombo Woodlands (Natasha S. Ribeiro, Pedro L. Silva de Miranda, Jonathan Timberlake)....Pages 9-53 People in the Miombo Woodlands: Socio-Ecological Dynamics (Natasha S. Ribeiro, Isla M. Grundy, Francisco M. P. Gonçalves, Isabel Moura, Maria J. Santos, Judith Kamoto et al.)....Pages 55-100 Managing Miombo: Ecological and Silvicultural Options for Sustainable Socio-Economic Benefits (Stephen Syampungani, Paxie W. Chirwa, Coert J. Geldenhuys, Ferdinand Handavu, Mwale Chishaleshale, Alfan A. Rija et al.)....Pages 101-137 Governance and Institutional Arrangements for Sustainable Management of Miombo Woodlands (Leo C. Zulu, Judith F. M. Kamoto, Ida N. S. Djenontin, Aires A. Mbanze, Cuthbert Kambanje, Yemi Katerere)....Pages 139-189 Scenarios for Just and Sustainable Futures in the Miombo Woodlands (Luthando Dziba, Abel Ramoelo, Casey Ryan, Sam Harrison, Rose Pritchard, Hemant Tripathi et al.)....Pages 191-234 Back Matter ....Pages 235-245