In Central America, one of the major changes in land use is the conversion of natural vegetation to crops (mainly to grazing lands). The practice of slash and burn agriculture has led to a decline in soil quality through nutrients depletion, organic matter reduction and soil erosion. Land degradation problems and desertification have increased with climate variability. Climate change represents an additional threat that could affect a country"s ability to meet urgent demands for rural development--food security included.
Peat carbon management
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Central Kalimantan has been selected as the primary REDD+ pilot in Indonesia. In its peatlands expectations of payments for carbon emission reduction currently shape the discourse over natural resource management as a means of influencing policy and exercising power. Different types of actors use their own interpretation of history, facts, rules and norms to support their claims. Shifting national policies have over the past decades shaped the distribution of power and actual use of peatland. Actions to reduce emissions will need to appreciate the institutional complexity.