Biodiversity Management in Rural Development

Robin Grimble (ed.)

Governments and development agencies are increasingly faced with the challenge of how to accommodate ecological concerns within rural development programmes in which the fundamental aims are poverty reduction and economic development. Few, if any, ecosystems are untouched by human activity, and the ecology of over 80% of the global landmass is at least partly a product of such activity. These modified landscapes are managed primarily for productive purposes such as livestock-rearing, forestry and farming, and wider ecological considerations generally receive only secondary attention in development planning. However, biodiversity forms an integral part of the livelihood systems of many millions of poor people, and it is vital that development policies and operations properly address the importance of biodiversity management.

The book contains six substantial papers that examine, from various viewpoints, how biodiversity objectives can be addressed in situations where poverty reduction and welfare improvement are the primary aims of development. It takes a cross-disciplinary approach, with contributions from economists, sociologists, ecologists, biologists and pest management specialists. The individual chapters reflect the lively current debate, and present the different perspectives of authors from diverse backgrounds.

This publication is relevant to:

• all who have a practical interest in management of biological resources or biodiversity in developing countries;
• those with a similar concern for economic or social development and improving the livelihoods of the rural poor; and
• staff of governments, donor agencies, NGOs and other organizations with responsibility for rural development or biodiversity conservation and management.