Conclusions and recommendations

Better headwater management requires: better integration of research and practice at the landscape level, a holistic vision, better scientific data, better management models, and recognition that the reconstruction of local communities' environmental management capabilities is as vital as the reconstruction of the biophysical environment. Present headwater management is dominated by inappropriate institutions, many established for the exploitation of an economic resource for the benefit of outsiders. Management must be restructured around new institutions oriented to integrated environmental stewardship guided by empowered local communities. Headwater control demands top-down integration as well as grass-roots co-ordination. Its tasks are best accomplished by multi-disciplinary and multi-scale activity. Barriers to the regeneration of headwater areas include the lack of interaction between the managers, technologists, researchers and local communities in headwater areas. Headwater problems are often created and exacerbated by ignorance on the part of policy makers in areas downstream.