ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part begins with a restatement of the definition of conservation and the optimum state of conservation using a production economics analogy and a forestry example. It illustrates in some detail how the safe minimum standard concept can be applied in practice. The part identifies conflicts among various interest groups, notably agriculture and wildlife interests, over resource use pattern. It considers the appropriateness of the multiple use concept in natural resource allocation theory and as a conservation policy objective. The part traces the past role of the concept in U. S. National Forests allocation policies. Publicly subsidized credit with low interest rates or increased availability to high risk resource use ventures, depletion allowances, severance taxes, establishment of resource commodity futures markets and price support programs are but a few examples of such indirect policy tools.
