ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book illustrates how Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) could be undertaken theoretically and how it has been undertaken in practice by various projects and development organisations in different agro-ecological and social conditions in the world. It shows how practitioners in different parts of the world have adapted the principles to their local situation, and provides several interesting applications of M&E. The book focuses on various methodologies or tools to monitor soil erosion over shorter or longer periods of time and to assess spatial differences of changes of erosion. It provides diverse information and critical know-how to implement appropriate methodology and cost-efficient monitoring and evaluation systems better suited to assess the impacts of soil conservation and watershed multi-sectoral development activities. The book includes effects on soils and watersheds of long-term agronomic changes, relatively new settlement, and natural disasters in a variety of geo-ecological contexts under contrasting policy regimes.
