Race to save the tropics : ecology and economics for a sustainable future /

This collection focuses on why and how ecological principles should be applied to economic development in tropical countries. The ten essays, edited by Goodland (chief of the Environmental Division in the Latin American office of the World Bank) and written by specialists in applied tropical ecology, cover a broad range of issues including agriculture, forestry, dams, and biological diversity. Although overlapping information dilutes the quality of some essays, each is interesting and accessible to a reader with a minimal background in ecology or economics. Contributors cite several practical examples and provide a good list of references and other sources of information. Two appendixes deal specifically with saving tropical forests; there is a useful bibliography. The unique breadth of coverage and the accessibility of the content make this work extremely valuable for all undergraduates in economic development policy. In addition, the concise presentations and accompanying references make the book a useful starting point for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. D. Martin Davidson College

Destruction of tropical rain forests is a topic receiving much current media attention. The issue of saving the Amazon forests was perhaps most brought to public attention by the 1988 murder of rubber tapper/environmentalist Chico Mendes. As population pressure in tropical forest areas has led to slash-and-burn farming practices, as increased worldwide demand for meat has lead to deforestation for grazing purposes, as tropical hardwoods have been exploitively logged, so has animal and plant life diversity been seriously disturbed and the world's climate endangered. Both of these books are by publishers known for their environmental concern, and both include good discussions of the origins of rain forest depletion and suggestions for economic and technological solutions. Goodland's book (others have contributed chapters in areas of their expertise) is a more detailed analysis; the Sierra Club book takes a more activist approach, suggesting ways for the individual to become involved in the cause. Because both books are well written and their points of view are presented reasonably, both are recommended for libraries that want coverage of this important topic.-- Eleanor Maass, Maass Assocs., New Milford, Pa. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.