THE DYNAMICS OF HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS IN THE TROPICAL MONTANE AGROSYSTEMS OF RWANDA - IMPLICATIONS FOR ECONOMIC-DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL STABILITY

Using a historical-ecological approach, this paper explores those human and environmental processes that have shaped the montane agrosystems of Rwanda. The focus is on how the subsistence systems (pastoralism and cultivation) have interacted with a diversity of demographic, socio-economic, and political variables through time to create a high-density "island' within the inter-lacustrine region of Central Africa. Of particular concern are landscape and settlement changes induced by agricultural and economic development policy, natural resource management, and demographic growth. A key question considered is whether Rwanda is moving toward agricultural "involution' or "intensification' in its response to accelerated population growth. Conclusions regarding future population-resource relationships are considered. -Author