Natural Resource Management in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

This paper suggests that biological and environmental researchers must focus beyond technical aspects and incorporate case studies and economic, policy, and enforcement studies when strategizing solutions for resource-use issues. Uhl et al. suggest that socioeconomic and policy integrated scientific research can increase the number of sustainable forestry management approaches in Amazonian rainforests an area where timber is increasing in value but general extraction practices are increasing fire risk, canopy loss, and invasive species numbers. Determining the types of harvesting sectors and which are most destructive based on collaborative studies, has allowed Uhl et al. and IMAZON to create predictive models of future harvesting patterns in response to changes in timber value and access, capital availability, and historical/cultural factors. With the aid of land management comparison experiments, Uhl et al. suggest the most biological sound management practices for the harvesting areas. Taking into account current and predicted future economic and political drivers along side what has been determined the best biological management practices for the area has allowed this team to make, what they believe to be, a fairly accurate and straightforward list of forestry policies and regulations. With growing awareness of efficiency and conservation issues and the simplicity of the teams suggested regulations, Uhl et al. believes that sustainable and profitable harvesting is possible.