The destruction of tropical forests is intimately intertwined with the fate of the rural poor who rely on this resource for their livelihood. Conservation of Neotropical Forests provides important information for understanding the interactions of forest peoples and forest resources in the lowland tropics of Central and South America. This interdisciplinary study features experts from both the natural and social sciences to illuminate the present dilemma of conserving neotropical resources. These contributors -- who are responsible for some of the most promising work in cultural and biodiversity conservation -- investigate the patterns of traditional resource use, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing research, and explore innovative directions for furthering the interdisciplinary conservationist agenda.

Kent H. Redford is director of the international program for Biodiversity Analysis and Coordination at the Wildlife Conservation Society. He has done extensive field research in Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia and has published many scientific papers. Christine Padoch is associate scientist, Institute of Economic Botany.