Forest Products From Latin America

This book assembles experiences acquired with sustainable forest and tree resource management partnerships in various Latin American countries. It addresses the question of which conditions are necessary for partnerships to stimulate sustainable, socially just and pro-poor governance of forest resources.

"Forest Resource Policy in Latin America" gathers the thinking of a score of experts on sustainable use and management of forests, including incentives for investment. The authors tackle the thorny social issues of property rights, deforestation, and forest management and ownership by indigenous people and take a hard look at the trade and environmental issues in forest production that will affect future directions for sustainable forestry development in Latin America. Some argue that the main opportunity to conserve natural forests lies in recognizing and paying for the environmental services they provide. In addition, compensatory measures such as the establishment and better management of strictly protected areas appear to be the best tools to delay the loss of ecosystems and species. Alternative forest concession policies and trade and environmental issues in forest production are also analyzed.

Introduction: setting the scene; Fruits; Leaves; Seeds, Roots and shoots; Bark and wood; Exudates; Lessons learned: cultural and commercial benefits of forest products.