204 Pages
    by Routledge

    204 Pages
    by Routledge

    Tropical Rainforests presents the most up-to-date and wide-ranging review of the problems and prospects of the world's most complex and abundant ecosystem. Chris Park examines where and how fast rainforests are being cleared, drawing on examples from all major forest areas. The consequences of clearance are examined at local, regional and global scales. The author achieves a balanced overview of the current state of the world's rainforests, discussing both the consequences of clearance (for ecology, environments and peoples) and the possible solutions (such as conservation and protection, reforestation, sustainable management, changing tropical timber trade and international investment programmes). Well illustrated with maps, figures and photographs and with a comprehensive bibliography, Tropical Rainforests provides an essential introduction for students of Geography, Ecology and the environment, teachers, environmentalists, development practitioners and the general public.

    1. The Tropical Rainforest: History and Environment 2. Destruction of the Rainforest: Rates of Loss 3. Causes and Processes of Clearance 4. Impacts and Costs of Destruction 5. Forest Peoples 6. Possible Solutions

    Biography

    Chris C. Park

    `An impressive introduction both to the ecology and the politics of the rainforest, the world's most critical life-support system.' - Jonathon Porritt.

    `Tropical Rainforests have become a metaphor for global and environmental problems...a useful introduction to a subject that needs to be more widely understood in its full complexity and significance.' - Thomas E. Lovejoy

    `This is an eminently readable text presenting a wealth of information from an extremely wide range of sources. The clearly organised text, with its numerous and thoughtfully integrated figures and case studies, it is thus able to give the reader a balanced interdisciplinary perspective on the environmental issues associated with tropical rainforests ... this text should be readily available to all students interested in the environment and to the general public.' - Geography

    `For those wanting a broad-based introduction to tropical rainforests Dr. Park's book is an excellent starting point ... the text is well written and supported by clear illustrations ... In the context of an introductory text to a fascinating topic this book has much to commend it, particularly as it is informative, easy to read and reasonably priced.' - Holocene