Controlling Tropical Deforestation

Tropical rain forest is being cleared so rapidly and on such a scale that it is a major global environmental problem, threatening the survival of half of the world's plant and animal species and contributing to global climate change through the greenhouse effect. But, despite widespread concern for over twenty years, only limited progress has been made in controlling deforestation and improving forest management in the humid tropics. In this book Alan Grainger offers afresh analysis of the causes of deforestation and presents an integrated strategy for controlling it. His strategy embraces agriculture, forestry and conservation and stresses the need for changes in government policies if land use is to be made more sustainable and the underlying causes of the problem are to be addressed. Controlling Tropical Deforestation is essential reading for policy makers, agronomists, foresters, conservationists and development professionals. To general readers and students on introductory courses at schools and universities it also offers the first concise but comprehensive overview of the causes, scale and consequences of deforestation. Originally published in 1992

Table of Contents:
List of Figures List of Fables Acronyms and Abbreviations Preface Introduction The Causes of Tropical Deforestation Land use Change and Economic Development Deforestation and Logging Sustainable Land Use Development Problems Global Concerns versus Local Needs Monitoring and Managing Global Environmental Change Sustainable Development - a Shared Experience The Plan of the Book Controlling Deforestation 1. Tropical Rain Forests and Deforestation Humid Tropical Environments Types of Tropical Moist Forests Tropical Rain Forests - Flourishing yet Vulnerable The Distribution of Tropical Rain Forest What is Deforestation? Forests, Tropical Environments and Deforestation 2. The Causes of Deforestation Shifting Agriculture Permanent Agriculture Other Types of Deforestation Land Use Change and Deforestation 3. Logging and the Tropical Hardwood Trade Deforestation and Logging What is Tropical Hardwood? The Post-war Development of the Tropical Hardwood Trade Selective Logging Is Selective Logging Sustainable? Logging Impacts and Sustainable Management 4. People, Policies and Forests The Underlying Causes of Deforestation Historical Trends in Tropical Land Use Future Trends in Deforestation The Impacts of Deforestation and Logging on Indigenous Peoples Forest Policies and the Spread of Logging Deforestation, Logging and Development 5. The Scale of Deforestation Where do Estimates Come from? Estimates of Deforestation Rates Deforestation at Regional and National Level Improving the Monitoring of Tropical Deforestation The Monitoring Imperative 6. The Environmental Effects of Deforestation and Logging The Threat to Biological Diversity The Effects of Deforestation and Logging on Soil Changes in Water Flows Deforestation and Climate Change The Likely Consequences of Tropical Deforestation 7. Techniques to Control Deforestation Improving Farming Practices Improving Forest Management Expanding Conservation Areas Saving the Forests 8. Policies to Control Deforestation Policies for the Governments of Tropical Countries Policies for the Governments of Developed Countries Policies for International Agencies Policies - the Heart of the Matter 9. Synthesis, Progress and Prospects Synthesis Progress in Controlling Deforestation The Need for a New Tropical Forest Initiative Future Trends in Deforestation and Logging The Prospects for Controlling Deforestation Notes Bibliography Index