Renewable natural resourcse and

Natural Resources and the Environment Series Volume 2.

The United Nations University's Programme on the Use and Management of Natural Resources focuses on three main areas: (a) environmental protection and increased productivity through improved management practices in the tropical zones assessment of effective applications of scientific knowledge to the problems of arid and semi-arid zones; and (c) the problems of rural energy supply in developing countries. Dr. Walther Manshard, as the first Vice-Rector for Programme, took the in translating this Natural Resources Programme into action, by leadership beginning to build up a worldwide network of associated institutions for postgraduate research, training and dissemination of knowledge. of the main project co-ordinators, Dr. Kenneth Ruddle.

Being one of to the theory and methodology of this programme, for was selected. which the the concept of of resource-systems As a kind of "synthesis" both authors together conceived the idea of this book, choosing a a partly geographical and partly ecological approach in a presentation of the state of natural resources and human environment with special to the developing world. A small part of the material used reference to the here is based on a a mostly unpublished Manshard for the Food and. Agriculture technical report prepared by Dr. Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The material is completely rewritten in its present form with an contributed much to emphasis on renewable natural resources in tropical countries.

Instead of a systematic-thematic approach, the book concentrates on selected management and resource questions related to the humid tropics, tropical and subtropical dry zones, the Mediterranean lands, and coastal zone environments. As a joint publication between the United Nations University and Tycooly International Publishing Limited I sincerely hope that this book will make a contribution to the better understanding of the interactions between poverty, development, and natural resources, and will thereby assist in the solving of global resource and environmental issues facing mankind.