416 Pages
    by Routledge

    416 Pages
    by Routledge

    The world is losing species and biodiversity at an unprecedented rate. The causes go deep and the losses are driven by a complex array of social, economic, political and biological factors at different levels. Immediate causes such as over-harvesting, pollution and habitat change have been well studied, but the socioeconomic factors driving people to degrade their environment are less well understood. This book examines the underlying causes. It provides analyses of a range of case studies from Brazil, Cameroon, China, Danube River Basin, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Tanzania and Vietnam, and integrates them into a new and interdisciplinary framework for understanding what is happening. From these results, the editors are able to derive policy conclusions and recommendations for operational and institutional approaches to address the root causes and reverse the current trends. It makes a contribution to the understanding of all those - from ecologists and conservationists to economists and policy makers - working on one of the major challenges we face.

    Foreword * An Emerging Consensus on Biodiversity Loss * A Framework for Analysing Biodiversity Loss * Ten Case Studies: an Overview * Main Findings and Conclusions of the Root Cause Project * Recommendations on Addressing the Root Causes of Biodiversity Loss * Brazil: Cerrado * Cameroon: Bushmeat and Wildlife Trade * China: South-Western Forests * Danube River Basin: Wetlands and Floodplains * India: Chilika Lake * Mexico: Clakmul Biosphere Reserve * Pakistan: Cebu, Negros and Palawan * Tanzania: Rufiji, Ruvu and Wami Mangroves * Vietnam: North and Central Highlands * Notes * References * Index

    Biography

    Alexander Wood, Pamela Stedman-Edwards and Johanna Mang are Senior Programme Officer, Principle Consultant and Program Manager of WWF's Macroeconomics Program Office, Washington DC.

    'I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is active in the field of nature or biodiversity conservation.' Pascal Lammar, Human Ecology Dept, Free University Brussels