The sustainability of Papua New Guinea agricultural systems: the conceptual background

Allen, Bryant; Bourke, R. Michael; Hide, R L

doi:10.1016/0959-3780(95)00074-x

Cited by 44 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Yield decline and changes in cropping patterns (e.g., from taro and yam to sweet potato) is related to a range of factors affected by population increases and higher yields per unit area of sweet potato systems (Allen, 2001;Allen et al, 1995). Thus there is some mismatch between what farmers observe and what has been concluded from experimental data.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

The Invasive Shrub Piper aduncum and Rural Livelihoods in the Finschhafen Area of Papua New Guinea

et al. 2005

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

The Invasive Shrub Piper aduncum and Rural Livelihoods in the Finschhafen Area of Papua New Guinea

et al. 2005

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“…However, there are often difficult tradeoffs between livelihoods and fire suppression. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), for example, swidden agriculture meets over 80% of the subsistence needs of the population (Allen et al. , 1995).…”

Section: Fire In Tropical Forests: Simplistic Models and Complex Probmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fire as a dimension of historical ecology: a response to Bowman et al. (2011)

Coughlan

Petty

2012

Journal of Biogeography

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Bowman et al. (Journal of Biogeography, 2011, 38, 2223–2236) attempt a synthesis of the current status of study into human use of fire as an ecosystem management tool and provide a framework for guiding research on the human dimensions of global fire. While we applaud this ambitious effort, we believe the proposed ‘pyric phase and transition’ model to be too deterministic and simplistic to account for the complexity and diversity in human–fire relationships. After reviewing theoretical problems with the proposed framework, we question policy implications of their conclusions concerning tropical forest systems. We suggest that a theoretically informed perspective should build on an historical fire ecology framework for investigating social and ecological aspects of human–environment interactions.

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“…The population of the highlands region, however, is increasing by 3% each year (2000 Census) and placing increasing pressure on the land resource for extra food to support the growing rural populace. Simultaneously, crop productivity appears to be declining in gardens, in parts of the highlands region, and this decline has been attributed to a reduction in soil fertility linked to the progressive shortening of fallow rejuvenation periods (Allen et al 1995;Sem 1996;Bourke 2005). To obtain objective information on the yield and nutrient status of sweet potato crops within the highlands region, a survey of sweet potato gardens was conducted in 2005 in four of the highlands provinces: Eastern Highlands, Simbu, Western Highlands and Enga.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

An evaluation of nutritional constraints on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) production in the central highlands of Papua New Guinea

2008

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Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is the staple food crop in the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Declining crop productivity, however, appears to be threatening the sustainability of sweet potato-based farming systems within the region, a probable cause being the exhaustion of soil nutrient reserves in continuously cultivated sweet potato gardens. To assess the extent of the problem, a survey of sweet potato gardens was conducted across four of the highlands provinces and information on soil and crop variables was obtained for old gardens (cultivated over many seasons) and new gardens (newly brought into cultivation) on soils of volcanic and non-volcanic origin. Crop leaf nutrient data collected in the survey were interpreted using the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS), to try to identify the main nutritional constraints on tuber production in different garden types on soils of volcanic or nonvolcanic origin. The results suggested that K deficiency was the primary cause of poor crop production in almost a third of sweet potato gardens, but was more of a problem in old gardens than in new. Phosphorus deficiency was also a problem on volcanic soils, and S deficiency on non-volcanic soils. These latter deficiencies, however, were at least as prevalent in new gardens as in old. Important factors contributing to K and S depletion from garden systems were the removal of K and S-rich vines from cultivation areas, the shortening of fallow periods and the burning of weed and crop residues, the latter releasing S (SO 2 ) to the atmosphere.

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The sustainability of Papua New Guinea agricultural systems: the conceptual background

Cited by 44 publications

References 33 publications

The Invasive Shrub Piper aduncum and Rural Livelihoods in the Finschhafen Area of Papua New Guinea

The Invasive Shrub Piper aduncum and Rural Livelihoods in the Finschhafen Area of Papua New Guinea

Fire as a dimension of historical ecology: a response to Bowman et al. (2011)

An evaluation of nutritional constraints on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) production in the central highlands of Papua New Guinea

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