Publisher's Synopsis
Latin America has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world and its forests are exploited for the benefit of both rich and poor. In several countries of the region, current policies favour the conversion of natural forests to other uses and the establishment of tree plantations. How can Latin America conserve its rich natural inheritance? This text gathers the thinking of over a dozen international experts of financing and policy mechanisms for sustainable use and management of forests, including incentives for investment. They tackle the complex social issues of property rights, deforestation and forest management and ownership by indigenous people. Alternatives for habitat protection and rural income generation are outlined, and forest concession policies across the region are analyzed.;The authors look at many trade and environmental issues in forest production that will affect future directions for sustainable forestry development in Latin America. Some argue that the main opportunity to conserve natural forests lies in recognizing and paying for the environmental services they provide. Meanwhile, compensatory measures such as the establishment and better management of strictly protected areas appear to be the best tools to delay the loss of eco-systems and species.
