Parks in peril [PiP] : source book

The program works in partnership with local organizations to build their capacity to achieve onsite protection and management, compatible use and economic development, and long-term financial sustainability. This source book documents the progress of the Parks in Peril program and provides detailed information about 28 protected sites in the Caribbean, Republic, Central America, Mexico, and South America that, as of fiscal year 1996, will have received funding from USAID. These funds, which totaled nearly $20 million during the program"s first 5 years, have supported the hiring of hundreds of park personnel who now provide continuous field supervision in all of the sites. Dozens of training courses in a variety of disciplines have been held. Baseline studies and threats analyses have begun in most of the sites and five Rapid Ecological Assessments (REAs) have been conducted by partner organizations, with assistance from the Conservancy. The source book also details the extraordinary complexity of the social, economic, and political forces affecting these protected areas. It is the unique set of issues, in combination with each site"s natural features, that makes a formulaic approach to conservation infeasible. The book is arranged by geographic region and provides information on each site"s size, partner organizations, physical setting, climate, biological diversity, land tenure and use, threats, management activities, and community involvement. There is also a map of each area, and a locator inset, placing each site in country. Includes references. (Author abstract)