Author(s)

Risto Kalliola & Salvador Flores Paitan

Abstract

The use of natural resources in Amazonia often suffers from inadequate scientific understanding of local ecology and inappropriate management practices. For example, the assumed homogeneity of the vast Amazonian lowlands has lead to not only ecological but also economical problems. Recent scientific observations emphasise regional and local ecological differences within Amazonia, and these findings need to be taken into account in future landuse planning: colonisation activities that are planned without basic knowledge of the local conditions are likely to be destructive for both the environment and the local economy. We present here findings of an international research project

Keywords