Trees

Tropical forests are threatened world-wide. Therefore, there is a search for ways to use the forests in a sustainable way, as this could assist in the conservation of these special ecosystems. Non-timber products collected from trees in tropical forests are often mentioned as examples of sustainable exploitation. Their collection causes far less disturbance to forest structure and functioning than the felling of trees for timber.

One of the major and growing environmental challenges of the 21st century will be the rehabilitation and restoration of forests and degraded lands. But the success of such restoration requires careful planning. This study  provides fundamental information for the achievement of knowledge-based ecosystem restoration using native tree species and draws attention to the importance of embedding genetic considerations in restoration activities.

This publication provides rich information on Amazon fruits and communities, illustrating how local peoples have adopted and adapted to the plant kindgom around them to distil vital nutrients, medicines and other products fundamental to their survival; it also shows how scientific information can be presented in an innovative and more inclusive way, one that can be adapted accordingly by other actors worldwide.