The aim of this book is to summarise and synthesise data and observations obtained during seven years (1992-1998) of research on agro-silvo-pastoral land use in Sahelian villages. A state of the art understanding, and newly developed concepts concerning the actors, natural resources and land use involved, is presented together with the collected information that led to these concepts. The procedure followed to integrate this knowledge is subsequently explained. This approach was then used to derive an answer to the interdisciplinary research question that was the starting point of our research, namely: Under which economic and social conditions are Sahelian villages able and willing to improve the productivity of their natural resources and subsequently use and manage them sustainably? This book is of interest to a wide readership, African specialists and others. Social scientists will learn much about the perception of land use in Sahelian villages. Soil and water experts and ecologists will be interested in the dynamics of Sahelian natural resources. Economists and policy-makers will find viable development paths to improve food security. Finally, it will appeal to those interested in well-documented studies ranging from disciplinary knowledge into interdisciplinary understanding.