Protected areas and nature conservation in East Asia

Reports on the status of protected areas establishment and management, principally in China, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong. These countries exhibit great biological and cultural diversity and all are characterised by great pressures on natural resources. Written by leading academics and practitioners, the book provides a broad perspective from regional to national and local viewpoints. It reviews the status, problems and prospects for protected areas and local communities. Papers cover a wide spectrum of lowland and alpine terrestrial, riverine and marine ecosystems, and the protection of habitat, biodiversity, geological, scenic and cultural heritages. This is the first book written in English integrating the diversified aspects of protect areas in the region, and is especially suitable for academics, students, managers and policy-makers concerned with this important conservation issue.