The image represents a small portion of a colonization area in Pedro Peixoto in Acre state of Brazil. It is a 1992 TM image with the catastral map superimposed showing the individual lot boundaries. The lots are usually 80 hectares and show various degrees of deforestration. The image here has been provided by CIAT.
Geographic analysis can provide a considerable input to agricultural research where the spatial dimension is relevant. Appplications range from service functions such as collecting and providing geo-referenced data to modelling of crop yields, identification of key areas of population pressure, biodiversity conservation and complicated impact assessment analyses. The importance of GIS in agricultural research is increasing as environmental management gets its steady position on agricultural research agendas.
The main objective of the UNEP/CGIAR project for the 'Use of Geographic Information Systems in Agricultural Research Management' is to establish long-term cooperative links between UNEP and the CGIAR system to effectively integrate natural resource and socio-economic information into agricultural research activities.
The focus of activities lies on 3 areas:
2. Institutional Development
Implement project plans for compilation, review and distribution of priority data sets, such as basic topographical data, climate, population, soils and others. The datasets are compiled by the institutions best suitable for the tasks under supervision of the project management under subcontract agreements,
Last updated February 27, 1997 by Lorant Czaran