ABSTRACT
A first and natural reaction to the destruction of tropical forests is to wonder if the answer lies in large and strictly enforced reserves. In an ideal world enormous tracts of forest would be set aside to help preserve biological diversity and maintain the ecological “services” produced by intact tropical forests. Upon deeper examination, however, it becomes apparent that erecting a large fence around most tropical forests is not only impractical, but probably ineffective and unnecessary. Large, strictly protected reserves are surely needed to save the world’s tropical forests. However, although some areas are best left in wilderness, most reserves must be carefully woven into the overall pattern of rural life. Some economic uses of tropical forest are less destructive than others, and as the projects described in this chapter demonstrate, certain economic uses may even help to preserve forests.
