Land systems of hill and highland tropical America

A land classification scheme is proposed for the steep-sloped and highland areas of tropical America, based on topography, climate and soils characteristics. Nine categories of land systems identify principal erosion hazards and recommended land use. Cartographic analysis indicates that 52 percent of tropical America (excluding Mexico, Belize, Brazil, Cuba and the Guyanas) is on slopes of 8 Percent or greater or in intermontane valleys and on highland plateaus; only 16 percent of this steepland area is adequate for cropping systems. Other recommended land uses are protection management (45 percent), range management (19 percent) and forestry and pasture (20 percent). General research and policy priorities are discussed for each land system, emphasizing the need for an ecologically sound basis for agricultural development and resource management