Tropical Forest Conservation

<br> A timely book that elegantly makes the plea that we have many forest management alternatives that will allow is [sic] to conserve the extensive neotropical forests of the Americas. Reviews harvesting options for timber and non-timber resources, bio-prospecting for genetic raw materials, the importance of nature-based ecotourism, and the price that countries have paid for excessive harvesting of their natural resources. Essential reading for all who have interests in conservation issues. --Northeastern Naturalist<p><br> Tropical deforestation remains one of the major environmental problems of our day. Much of the literature focuses on the problems caused by deforestation; Southgate examines potential solutions. He begins with a technical overview of the causes of tropical deforestation. The analysis is robust . . . then covers six alternatives to the current forest practices that lead to deforestation . . . Costa Rica and the Galapagos are often cited as successful examples of nature-based tourism. . . . The lessons learned from the book can be applied beyond Latin America. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. --Choice<p><br> This book developed partly out of Southgate's work as a consultant to the Inter-American Development Bank to assess the contributions that nontimber extraction, low-impact logging, genetic prospecting, and ecotourism can make to tropical forest conservation in Latin America. He begins with a review of the causes of deforestation, then examines the challenges of sustainable forest-based activities, and details the economics of environmentally sound harvesting. His conclusion offers an integrated strategy for habitat protection and economic progress. --SciTech Book News<p><br>