Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book develops the conceptual discussion of fragile land development with reference to a specific development program created by the Agency for International Development. It proposes a fundamental revision of conventional wisdom about the direction of technology flows and outlines a procedure to enable the transfer of “traditional” technology. The book addresses various aspects of tropical rain forest management, derived mainly from research undertaken in the Amazon. It explores potential development strategies for the tropical forests based on the concept of restricted use zones or “reserves.” The book examines a wildlife production reserve established in the Oriente of Ecuador and demonstrates its potential as a profit-making enterprise. It describes the rubber tappers’ movement to create extractive reserves in western Brazil and outlines the structure of the adaptive and largely subsistent economy.