Gilmour, D. A. (Donald Allan)

Of significant concern to governments in Southeast Asia is the rapid and extensive deforestation and forest degradation that has occurred in the recent past and in some cases is still occurring. The purpose of this publication is to assist stakeholders in the lower Mekong countries develop and implement ecologically and socio-economically sound forest rehabilitation policies and practices.

A collection of papers, many translated from Russian, originally presented at a seminar held in 1995 to increase international awareness about Kyrgyzstan's unique walnut-fruit forests. Subject matter includes the historical and present-day utilization and management of these forests, their ecological diversity and importance for biodiversity conservation, and measures adopted for the genetic improvement of walnut, Juglans regia, and other commercially important species.

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.