ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the result of informal interviews, information gathered from presentations by key informants, observations in the field, and library research. It focuses on the technical and biological aspects of management within the Watershed. The book provides a policy sciences framework to describe historical trends and social conditions in order to hypothesize future conditions and make recommendations. It analyzes trends in human migration into the Watershed region and describes the resulting deforestation. The book discusses Panama’s agricultural development policies as well as alternatives. It discusses the problems presented by Saccharum spontaneum an invasive wild sugarcane species. The book elucidates criteria for evaluation, assesses the efficacy of three agroforestry projects, and concludes with recommendations. It explores the potential for carbon sequestration projects as a means to forest conservation and income generation for protected areas management within the Canal Watershed.
