At a time when the international community is devoting significant attention to the issue of governance as a key factor in global environmental decline, this book provides a timely insight into the relationships between extreme conflict, the international trade in forest products, and the social, economic and environmental condition of tropical forests and their human communities.
Drawing on the expertise of both natural and social scientists, Extreme Conflict and Tropical Forests explores the underlying causes and the social and environmental consequences of conflict in tropical forest areas. Case studies from Africa, Asia and Latin America present a range of issues - from illicit crops and `conflict timber' production, to the potential of peace parks for improving human security, social quality and biodiversity conservation.
With implications for specific aspects of security, environment, development, forest policy and international relations, this book will be an important resource for both students and researchers exploring these issues - as well as a useful background for practitioners and policy makers working in these fields.
1. Tropical forests and extreme conflict; D. Donovan et al.- 2. Between war and peace: violence and accommodation in the Cambodian logging sector; P. Le Billon, S. Springer.- 3. Greed or grievance in West Africa?s forest wars? R. de Koning.- 4. Nicaragua?s frontier: the Bosawas biosphere reserve; A.C. Staver et al.- 5. Past conflicts and resource use in postwar Lao PDR; Y. Fujita et al.- 6. Seeing the forest for the trees: tropical forests, the state and violent conflict in Africa; L.A. Swatuk.- 7. Confronting conflict timber; S. Price et al.- 8. Environmental damage from illicit drug crops in Colombia; M.D. Alvarez.- 9. Defoliation during the Vietnam War; G. Nakamura.- 10. Addressing extreme conflicts through peace parks; J.A. McNeely.
From the reviews: "This book is dedicated to different issues linking tropical forests and conflict, and is volume V in a book series called World forest. The editors have gathered ten articles highlighting different aspects of the relationship between forests and conflict. ! the book is very useful for anyone interested in conflicts and resources and biodiversity and conflict."(Siri Aas Rustad, Journal of Peace Research, Vol. 45 (4), July, 2008)