The Role of Traditional Land Use Systems in the Well-being of Rural Timor-Leste

Abstract

Natural ecosystems and traditional land use systems have an important role in the life and well being of the rural population of Timor-Leste. Land, the support of natural ecosystems and subsistence agriculture of rural populations of Timor Leste, is the main focus of this research. The objectives are: 1) to identify the different land use patterns of Timor-Leste; 2) to identify the goods and services produced; and, 3) to relate the goods and services produced by land use patterns with the well-being of Timor-Leste rural population. This paper is based on a multidisciplinary approach incorporating contributions from several fields of knowledge, and uses documentary sources, field observations and interviews conducted in 2003, 2009 and 2010. The main land use patterns in Timor-Leste are: natural and semi-natural ecosystems, subsistence agriculture, sacred, housing, basic infrastructures and industries and services. These land use patterns produce a set of goods and services classified as supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural which are essential for the survival and well-being of Timor-Leste rural communities.