Conserving biodiversity outside protected areas : the role of traditional agro-ecosystems

Limits to expansion of protected area systems underline the importance of seeking new ways to conserve biodiversity. There are many examples where traditional rural communities have shown their capacity to maintain high biological and cultural diversity. The 12 cases studies ranging from the High Andes to Viet Nam support the view that certain traditional agricultural and postoral systems can succeed in attaining a sustainable level of production while at the same time maintaining a high level of biodiversity as well as most functional aspects of the ecosystems.