Most of the current systems of resource use at the forest frontier are not integrated and exploit reserves of energy and nutrients held in vegetation and soil. Experience over the last 20 years has indicated that small family based farming systems at the forest frontier are not sustainable and after a few years farming in one area, people are forced to move on with the frontier. other, more extensive forms of exploitation of natural resources then move into the vacated areas and degrade the resource base still further. Such systems cannot be sustained in the longer term on social, economic and farmer organisations which are working towards the development of more sustainable models of resource use and livelihood systems. The research will crucially involve the harnessing of the knowledge, energy and ideas of small farmers in this process.

To analyse and model forest, crop and livestock resource interactions within smallholder production systems and farmer perceptions of these systems, and to identify key indicators which will determine the long-term viability of enterprises.

• Review of literature from Portuguese, Francophone and Anglophone research.
• A set of indicators of sustainability based on farmers perceptions of farming systems, resource flows and crop/livestock/forest interaction.
• A set of techniques acceptable to farmers to enhance resource flows and productivity with special attention to role of livestock and sustainable use forest resources and strategies to decrease pressure on forest resources.
• Strengthened collaborative links between Brazilian research institutions, including LASAT, and regional and UK based institutions.