Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 August 2009
Owing to their sub-Sahelian climate, the Cape Verde Islands, lying off the coast of West Africa, experience severe problems of soil erosion and surface-water loss. Thus the development of this country has included widescale planting of trees, mainly Prosopis juliflora, and the building of contour walls and small dams. Agroforestry species are being tested for both erosion control and the production of wood and timber. The conservation of native crop species, and the use of integrated pestcontrol, have been given priority in Cape Verde's agricultural development.