| [Back to front page] | Imperata grasslands of Southeast Asia Uplands are important geographical components of
Southeast Asian agriculture, particularly in the Philippines and Indonesia. Large areas of
the forest uplands in both countries have been severely degraded due to logging and
shifting cultivation and are now grasslands colonised by Imperata cylindrica. Although
Imperata has some uses, these are of relatively low economic value and Imperata areas are
inhabited by people with low incomes. Bioeconomic computer modelling was used to test the
impact of improvements in technologies and policies over a range of socioeconomic
settings. The models can be constructed to enable them to be used for extension and
training purposes as well as for technological and policy research and investment
decisions. |