The River Forest: A Natural History Of Plants, Animals, And People Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
The floodplain forest of the worlds mightiest river, the , is one of the last major agricultural frontiers. Inhabitants of this bountiful environment have long harvested its wealth of plant and animal resources for a wide array of products, especially fruits, nuts, building materials, fuelwood, and medicinal plants. While the floodplain has great potential for food production, this unique habitat, inundated every year to a depth of up to 30 feet, is increasingly threatened by ranching and agricultural expansion, and its natural resource base is being impaired by inappropriate land-use practices. In this book, geographer Nigel Smith reviews the natural history of the area from the people's perspective, offering a large-scale portrayal of the culture of the region not found in most books on ia. The book investigates how the ways in which people make a living are entwined with religious and spiritual beliefs, as well as with nature. Smith challenges the notion that the basin is a demographic void and a cultural backwater, arguing that the region, densely settled in the past, could again become a prosperous agricultural area. He points out that the local inhabitants' knowledge of the basins natural history is a vital--and sorely overlooked--resource for sound economic development. Topics explored include ecological, cultural, and socioeconomic issues surrounding animal husbandry, domestication of game, annual cropping, agroforestry, and the gathering of forest products. Examining the historical dimensions of various land uses, Smith suggests practical ways to develop the floodplain that enhance, rather than destroy, biodiversity. A pathbreaking study, impeccably researched and beautifully illustrated, this book will interest a broad audience of individuals and organizations concerned with the development and conservation of rainforests and wetlands.
Paperback: 24 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press; 1 edition (January 28, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0195126831
ISBN-13: 978-0195126839
Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 0.4 x 9.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
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Best Sellers Rank: #2,477,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #44 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Ecosystems > Tropical #926 in Books > Science & Math > Agricultural Sciences > Forestry #1338 in Books > Science & Math > Biological Sciences > Plants > Trees
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