William F. Laurance - Böcker

The fragmentation of the tropical rain forests is the subject of this study, which looks at the devastating damage caused to these sensitive areas. By the year 2000 more than half of these forests will have been cut, causing increased soil erosion, watershed destabilization, climate degradation, and extinction of as many as 600,000 species. This volume summarizes what is known about the ecology, management, restoration, socioeconomics and conservation of fragmented forests, and identify key priorities for future work. Covering geographic areas from Southeast Asia and Australia to Madagascar and the New World, the book encapsulates contemporary knowledge and research. Thirty-three papers present the results of recent research and updates from decades-long projects in progress.

"Emerging Threats to Tropical Forests" reveals the remarkably diverse panoply of perils to tropical forests and their biota, with particular emphasis on recent dangers. William F. Laurance and Carlos A. Peres identify four categories of emerging threats: those that have only recently appeared, such as the virulent chytrid fungus that is decimating rainforest amphibians throughout the tropical world; those that are growing rapidly in importance, like destructive surface fires; those that are poorly understood, namely global warming and other climatic and atmospheric changes; and environmental synergisms, whereby two or more simultaneous threats - such as habitat fragmentation and wildfires, or logging and hunting - can dramatically increase local extinction of tropical species. In addition to documenting the vulnerability of tropical rainforests, the volume focuses on strategies for mitigating and combating emerging threats. A timely and compelling book intended for researchers, students, and conservation practitioners, "Emerging Threats to Tropical Forests" will interest anyone concerned about the fate of the world's most threatened tropical ecosystems.