Coastal management is a prominent topic of concern to the world, and an understanding of the ecological processes in mangrove ecosystems is essential. These ecosystems are a distinctive feature in the tropical and subtropical coastlines of the Americas and the Caribbean, with great scientific, economic and cultural value. The scientific contributions in this monograph are focused on resource management and the policy decisions that are required for mangrove management.
The family Cracidae is made up of 50 species of guans, curassows and chachalacas - large gregarious game birds, many of which have striking colours. They are important as seed dispersers, biological indicators of the environment, a major protein source for indigenous people, and for ecotourism. Nearly half the species in the family are threatened and several have been pushed to near extinction by wide-spread destruction of tropical forets and over-harvesting.
