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Abstract

Land use systems of the Careiro Island are strictly governed by the annual flooding regime and
seasonal rains. The topography gives rise to a mosaic of environments used by farmers according to land
availability during the year. Five areas have been defined according to the physical and socio-economic
characteristics of the main farming landscapes. The dwellings and agroforestry systems are always situated
on the highest land, above the average flood levels. The different land use systems which have been
analysed here are: the orchard, plant cultivation for food subsistence, commercial horticultural crops,
cultivation of fibrous plants and pastures. At present socio-economic pressures are causing a new orientation towards monospecific fruit-tree plantations, commercial horticulture and pasture for cattle breeding.