Bruce Sundquist reports that he has a huge web site of 3 MB (about 800 pages of text) that contains reviews of the global literature on the degradation of forests, soils, grazing lands, irrigated lands and fisheries (five separate reviews). Actually it is not so much a set of literature reviews as it is an organized compilation of key facts, figures, and summaries of arguments and analyses.

The five Tables of Contents are quite complete, making it possible for you to find what you need in fairly short order. If you have the files on your own computer you can also do key word searches.

For instance, in the Forest degradation review are some date comparing the capacity of forest soils to absorb rainfall relative to other land types. (The differences are huge.) There is also a section that compiles a fair number of the serious flooding problems (globally--in recent years) that have been attributed to deforestation in the headlands.

Deforestation in Mountains Causes Floods in Thailand -- August 14, 2001 (Reuters) Flash floods that swept through three remote Thai villages killing dozens of people on the weekend have caused 39 million baht ($869,000) in damage, government officials said.

The official death toll from the floods in Petchabun province was 74. There were 97 people still listed as missing. Officials said 160 houses were destroyed and 194 damaged. But rescue teams were hopeful of finding more survivors, they said.

"The area hit is very large and it’s very difficult to get to some of the victims because of the mud and trees – the flash flood swept everything away," said Wathira Chotirosseranee, an official at the Interior Ministry’s Civil Defense Secretariat.

"But many people managed to grab on to bamboo trees and coconut trees, and they could save themselves," Wathira told Reuters.

Wathira said the army was building shelters for the homeless and local charities were sending supplies of food, drink and clothing. No international appeal for help was necessary, he said.

Authorities have blamed the ferocity of the flood on deforestation in the mountainous region.

Tropical storm Usagi, which swept over Thailand over the weekend before fizzling out, has caused flooding in 22 of Thailand's 76 provinces.