This book provides an overview of the complex challenges and
opportunities related to forest-based rural development in the tropics
and subtropics. Applying a socio-ecological perspective, the book traces
the changing paradigms of forestry in rural development throughout
history, summarizes the major aspects of the rural development challenge
in forest areas and documents innovative approaches in fields such as
land utilization, technology and organizational development, rural
advisory services, financing mechanisms, participative planning and
forest governance. It brings together scholars and practitioners dealing
with the topics from various theoretical and practical angles. Calling
for an approach that carefully balances market forces with government
intervention, the book shows that forests in rural areas have the
potential to provide a solid foundation for a green global economy.