Biodiversity of tropical rain forests : ecology and economics of an elusive resource

First, ecologically and economically sustainable development alone will not stop the loss of tropical rain forest biodiversity caused by fragmentation, exploitation, and human activities. Therefore, strict biodiversity-preserving action is required. Second, while the costs of biodiversity preservation accrue mainly at the local level, the benefits accrue mainly at the regional, national, and especially global level. Therefore, special mechanisms must be devised to fund biodiversity preservation. The conclusions suggest the following priorities for applied research and action: study of forms of forest exploitation compatible with strict biodiversity protection; study of the magnitude and incidence of benefits and costs of biodiversity protection; and, a search for ways of implementing integrated land-use complexes and other solutions. (Author abstract)