Asia's tropics are the most intensively used: contrasting conservation strategies between South and East.

摘要

The Asian tropics have been by far the most densely populated, due to the early invention and dissemination of complex and inherently fragile socio-political and religious systems that permitted irrigation-based civilizations to expand almost to continental scale. Over the last half-century, many have become prosperous, while a few, notably Myanmar, Cambodia, Nepal and, to a lesser extent, the Philippines have yet to realize their economic potential while facing increasing populations pressures. Ancient understanding of the interdependence of nature and man has persisted to varying degrees throughout the region, but weakened under the mercantile onslaught from the West. Forest and wildlife conservation initiatives and institutions were started in colonial times, but directed at commercial and elite interests. Now, public concern and effective political action is growing in the more successful economies, but successful conservation of biodiversity will be a close call.