Conservation Biology Voices from the Tropics

The late Navjot Sodhi conceived this book as a way of bringingto the forefront of our conservation planning for the tropics theviews of people who were actually working and living there. In its 31 chapters, 55 authors present their views on theconservation problems they face and how they deal withthem. Effective long term conservation in the tropics requires the fullparticipation of local people, organizations and governments. Thehuman population of tropical countries is expected to grow by morethan 2.5 billion people over the next several decades, withexpectations of increased consumption levels growing even morerapidly than population levels; clearly there will be a need formore trained conservationists and biologists. Significantlevels of local involvement are essential to conservation success,with the rights of local people fully recognized, protected andfostered by governmental and international assistance. Overarching conservation plans are necessary, but cannot inthemselves lead to success. The individual experiences presented in the pages of this book willprovide useful models that may serve to build better and moresustainable lives for the people who live in the tropics and leadto the continued survival of as many species and functioningecosystems as possible.