The Paradigm of Forests and the Survival of the Fittest demonstrates the social, historical, and environmental framework within which humans have developed a relationship with the forest and its resources. Starting from the biological basis that permits the existence of forests to the use of forest resources in a modern human context, this book summarizes the interaction between humans and forest ecosystems. Designed for readers from a broad range of disciplines and interests including those from environmental sciences, environmental economics, sociology, anthropology, biology, forestry and human ecology and other related disciplines, the book evokes interest in the development of an integrated approach towards forest ecosystems and natural resources in the context of sustainability.
Introduction
Sergio A. Molina-Murillo and Carlos Rojas
Forests in a Changing World
John Markham and Mauricio Fernández
Primary Production, Energy and Forest Growth
Gerardo Avalos
Forest Carbon Sequestration and Global Change
Achim Häger and Luitgard Schwendenmann
Forest Ecosystems and Civilization: An Overview of the Footprint of Modernity in the Exploitation-Conservation Relationship
Anthony Goebel Mc Dermott
The Economy of Forests
Sergio A. Molina-Murillo and Timothy M. Smith
Silviculture and Forest Management
Adrian A. Monge Monge
Challenges to Forest Conservation
J. Edgardo Arévalo and Richard J. Ladle
Forests, Sustainability and Progress: Safeguarding the Multiple Dimensions of Forests through Sustainable Practices
Robin R. Sears
Conclusions
Carlos Rojas, Adam W. Rollins and Sergio A. Molina-Murillo