Cover; Title; Copyright; Contents; Preface; Acknowledgments; PART I. ARID CLIMATES; 1. SEMI-ARID REGIONS IN THE WORLD; Introduction; Classification of Arid Climates; Physical Limits of Arid Subdivisions; Division of Arid Subdivisions on a Biological Basis; Steppe Characteristics; Location and Climate of Steppe Regions; Improvement versus Deterioration of Steppes; Bibliography; 2. * MEXICO'S SEMI-ARID ZONES; Location; Causes; Physiography; Climate; Soils; Vegetation; Fauna; Human Occupation; State of Knowledge; References; 3.* THE CLIMATES OF MEXICO WITH EMPHASIS ON ARID ZONES
Diversity of the Climates of MexicoCauses of the Arid Zones in the Mexican Republic; The Study of the Arid Zones of Mexico; 4. CLIMATE AND THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT; Introduction; Temperature Conditions; Precipitation Conditions; References; PART II. RESOURCE ASSESSMENT; 5. SOILS OF SEMI-ARID REGIONS; Introduction; Principal Soils; Soil Characteristics; Saline Seepage; Use and Management; Summary; References; 6. REMOTE SENSING TO DETECT DESERTIFICATION PROCESSES; Introduction; Methods and Materials; Results and Discussion; Summary and Conclusions; Acknowledgments; References
7. * SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION AND PHYSIOGRAPHIC SURVEYFundamental Concepts; The Classification Levels of the Physiographic Survey System; References; 8. TECHNIQUES FOR VEGETATION MAPPING IN SEMI-ARID REGIONS; Introduction; Classification of Vegetation; Conventional Techniques; Terrain Correlation Techniques; Digital Techniques; Summary; References; 9. COMPUTER ENHANCEMENT OF LANDSAT DATA FOR MAPPING RENEWABLE RESOURCES IN ARID REGIONS: SPECIAL REFERENCE TO GUAYULE IN THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT; Introduction; Background; What the Satellite ""Sees; Guayule in the Chihuahuan Desert
Contrast EnhancementDigital Line Printer Mapping; Water Resource; Summary; References; Bibliography; PART III. DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS; 10. * STRATEGIES FOR THE PREVENTION OF AND FIGHT AGAINST DESERTIFICATION; Desertification -- A Problem of Mankind; Important Considerations in Integrated Planning of Resource Use; Strategies to Control Desertification; Conclusions; References; 11. THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON AGRICULTURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH IN THE TROPICS; Introduction: Climate and Poverty; Scientific Support for the Hypothesis; Significance of Dry and Rainy Seasons
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)Irrigation; Plantation Agriculture; Peasant Farming; Application to Development of Mexico's Semi-Arid Regions; References; 12. SMALL-SCALE MINING IN SEMI-ARID AREAS; Introduction; Exploration; Mining Development; Mining Operations; References; 13. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTED THROUGH LOCAL RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES; Introduction; Biomass; Implementation; Conclusion; References; 14. CROP ALTERNATIVES IN SEMI-ARID REGIONS; Introduction; Alternative Crop Species; Energy Producing Plants; Conclusion; References
Notes
15. BOTANOCHEMICALS FROM ARID LANDS: TOWARD DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTION, MARKETING, AND CONSUMPTION SYSTEMS
