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Some recent books on rainforests

Two books by geographers examine the history and environment of tropical rainforests, current rates of alteration and the likely consequences. In his very readable account, Park examines the forest environment and forest peoples, rates of forest loss, causes of loss, likely impacts and possible solutions. This is an ideal introduction to the topic for college students. In his book, Ooi argues that the economic and practical implications of the very long time tropical rainforest needs, in order to recover from serious disturbance, such a selective logging and makes it unlikely that the processes of tropical deforestation can be halted. When so much is being written about the necessity of'sustainable management' of such forests, it is refreshing, if sad, to find a book which precisely and cogently argues that such an aim is probably unattainable. The other three books are not ecological but, dealing as they do with the social structures which allow deforestation, are likely to be of some interest to readers of this journal. The six chapters in Banuri & Marglin show, by examining conflicts over forest management in North America, Europe and India, 'how the inter-relationships between people and their environment differ depending on the knowledge systems of their respective societies'. Colchester & Lohmann take a rather different tack, arguing that the issues of rural poverty and landlessness, land tenure and tropical deforestation are closely linked. Thus, citing case studies from Brazil, Guatemala, Zaire, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, they aim 'to bring the issues of agrarian reform back into the international debate'. Utting's book, subtitled 'Social dimensions of deforestation and forest protection in Central America', in some ways amplifies the theses of the two former books by concentrating upon traditional resource management systems and the reasons for their breakdown in Central America.