Last Stand

"An excellent summary of the status of conservation efforts to protect biodiversity and tropical forests. It contains particularly good discussions about traditional park preservation concepts and methods, and alternative concepts focused on sustainability and economic development, with the conclusion that protected parks, reserves, sanctuaries, and other areas remain an essential cornerstone of tropical forest and biodiversity conservation. . .Highly recommended."--Wildlife Activist "This book is a well-researched overview of the current status of the tropical rainforest ecosystem and its chance of survival beyond the next century of anthopogenic impact. The chapters are well written and provide an excellent catalog of various conservation efforts worldwide; many examples provide important illustrations of how human nature can confound theoretically sound protection programs....Overall, a readable and informative work."--Choice "Last Stand is the latest installment in a century-old debate between the philosophies of preservation and conservation. . . . [T]his book calls for a refreshing new brand of preservationism . . . one with ample allowance for political realities, local participation, and economic development. . . . The contributing authors are leading voices in international conservation, representing fields ranging from ecology and political science to economics and development sociology. . . . The book is well written and breaks considerable new ground . . . [It] provides a much needed wake-up call for the conservation community. . . . It shows that high levels of interest in biodiversity have not sufficiently translated into real protection. . . . [T]he book's main message is crystal clear--a system of large and well protected parks must still be the cornerstone of all conservation strategies aimed at limiting the inevitable reduction of the planet's biodiversity."--Conservation Biology "An excellent summary of the status of conservation efforts to protect biodiversity and tropical forests. It contains particularly good discussions about traditional park preservation concepts and methods, and alternative concepts focused on sustainability and economic development, with the conclusion that protected parks, reserves, sanctuaries, and other areas remain an essential cornerstone of tropical forest and biodiversity conservation. . .Highly recommended."--Wildlife Activist "This book is a well-researched overview of the current status of the tropical rainforest ecosystem and its chance of survival beyond the next century of anthopogenic impact. The chapters are well written and provide an excellent catalog of various conservation efforts worldwide; many examples provide important illustrations of how human nature can confound theoretically sound protection programs....Overall, a readable and informative work."--Choice "Last Stand is the latest installment in a century-old debate between the philosophies of preservation and conservation. . . . [T]his book calls for a refreshing new brand of preservationism . . . one with ample allowance for political realities, local participation, and economic development. . . . The contributing authors are leading voices in international conservation, representing fields ranging from ecology and political science to economics and development sociology. . . . The book is well written and breaks considerable new ground . . . [It] provides a much needed wake-up call for the conservation community. . . . It shows that high levels of interest in biodiversity have not sufficiently translated into real protection. . . . [T]he book's main message is crystal clear--a system of large and well protected parks must still be the cornerstone of all conservation strategies aimed at limiting the inevitable reduction of the planet's biodiversity."--Conservation Biology