'The text is valuable in that it describes tropical small-scale farm forestry and the complex interrelationships between social, economic, and biological issues quite well . . . For readers interested in tropical forestry in a developed nation, the book is a detailed and excellent source of information.' - Matthew Pelkki, Natural Resources Journal There has been an increased awareness of the need to establish and maintain small-scale forestry in tropical countries. This is due to concerns over continued deforestation, as well as the long-term environmental and economic resources these plantations can contribute if managed successfully. This book examines the constraints that limit the development of small-scale forestry in tropical environments and how they can be overcome.

Research in tropical forestry is confronted with the task of finding strategies to alleviate pressure on remaining forests, and techniques to enhance forest regeneration and restore abandoned lands, using productive alternatives that can be attractive to local human populations. In addition, sustainable forestry in tropical countries must be supported by adequate policies to promote and maintain specific activities at local and regional scales. Here, a multi-disciplinary approach is presented, to better the understanding of tropical forest ecology, as a necessary step in developing adequate strategies for conservation and management. The authors have long experience in both academic and practical matters related to tropical forest ecology and management.

Forest harvesting and transportation operations are essential components of sustainable forestry. Recognition of these important factors was consistent with the theme of the XX IUFRO World Congress, "Caring for the Forest: Research in a Changing World". The Congress was held in Tampere, Finland, in August 1995. As part of the proceedings a forum was provided for discussion of new techniques for planning, implementing and controlling forest operations in ways that promote sustainable management of tropical forests. This volume is the Proceedings of the Symposium organised by IUFRO Subject Group S3.05-00, "Forest Operations in the Tropics". A range of technologies is discussed across a number of regions. A paper by Migunga discusses forest soil compaction in Tanzania, while Cordero and Howard evaluate the use of oxen for logging operations in Costa Rica. Rubini Atmawidjaja addresses the management of ecosystems in Indonesia to balance human and environmental needs. Elias studies forest harvesting damages in East Kalimantan while Aulerich reviews the application of skyline systems by one Indonesian company. Shi Mingzhang presents the forest management accomplishments of the Leizhou Forestry Bureau in Quandong province, southern China. A Mexican case study of damage evaluation in a timber yarding operation is presented by Hernández-Diáz and Delgado-Pacheco while the situation for forest operations in the Amazon Basin is reviewed by Malinovski. Cedergren et al. assess the impacts of selective logging on silvicultural values in a mixed dipterocarp forest of Sabah.

‘Homegardens’ are integrated tree–crop–animal production systems, often established on small parcels of land surrounding homesteads, and primarily found in tropical environments. This multi-authored volume contains peer-reviewed chapters from the world’s leading researchers and professionals in this topic. It summarizes the current state of knowledge on homegarden systems, with a view to using this knowledge as a basis for improving both homegardens and other similar multistrata agroforestry systems.

Much of the world's tropical timber is still supplied from natural forest, but under current systems of management the forests are rapidly becoming exhausted. Unless management practices change to become genuinely sustainable, neither the forests nor the essential contribution of the timber industry to many economies will survive. Duncan Poore reviews the extent to which natural forests are already being sustainably managed for timber production, and looks at how these practices can be enlarged. He places management for timber in the wider context of tropical forest conservation and outlines a strategy for further action. Thoroughly researched and accessibly written, this book will be useful for everyone working or interested in the subject of tropical forests. Foreword by Dato Dr B.C.Y. Freezailah Originally published in 1989