Conservation of Tropical Forest for the Well-Being of Community

Abstract

Tropical forests host a large population of biodiversity that play a crucial role in global climate regulation. Besides that, it represents a foundation for the provision of ecosystem services such as clean air and water, valuable timber and animal and plant resources with high commercial and cultural value. However, tropical forests are facing great pressure as a result of increasing human exploitation. If the world’s tropical forests are destroyed, then many of the biodiversity species will be lost along with them. Not only that, but the local community also loses the natural system that performs valuable services which is important for the continuity of human’s life. The balance of economic growth and conservation of biodiversity and its components including tropical forest must be achieved. Having said this, the ongoing action in conserving our valuable resources of tropical forest is important especially to support the well-being of the local community. Overall, this chapter discusses the importance of tropical forests, threats, conservation action as well as the economic value and economic valuation techniques that can be used to put an economic value on these natural resources.