Forests

This work forms part of a preparatory phase leading to a handbook providing guidelines for the sustainable utlization and integrated management of tropical peatlands. The papers cover the resource and its conservation; social cultural and economic factors affecting utlization; forestry management approaches; case studies; and concludes with a summary of the workshop sessions focusing on future directions.

Based on information derived from literature, statistics, interviews and a field survey in Bolivia, this report explores the value of non-timber forest products not only in economic terms but also as an important element in the lives of people who live in or near the forest. Covers values at local, national and international level; intellectual property rights; ecotourism; and sustainability of exploitation with detailed examples.

The threats to the forests of tropical America have been the centre of international environmental concern for some time, yet the material in this atlas highlights the continuing extent of scientific uncertainty over the critical issues that will determine the future use and conservation of these forests. Preceded by Asia and the Pacific, 1991; Africa, 1992 (both now out of print), this atlas completes the series.

Synthesis of the various components of international law that have an impact on forests and provides a policy framework for conservation and sustainable use, against which any future global forest regime shoud be measured.