Restoration of Tropical Forest Ecosystems: Proceedings of the Symposium held on October 7¿10, 1991

The destruction of the tropical forests proceeds Nobody at the symposium believed that the rapidly. We all know that this has global ecologi­ tropical forest area would remain untouched. cal and economical consequences. The problem The population explosion takes care of that argu­ is of such magnitude that it can only be com­ ment. The two main problem areas before us are pared to warfare. The destruction of tropical first the wise utilization of that portion of the forests is not only detrimental to the global forest which will be used - especially the intro­ ecology but also poses a serious threat to the duction of planned forestry in such areas, and people living in this area. Furthermore the over­ second, the development of a good plan for utilization of such a valuable resource poses a nature conservation in the tropics. serious threat to the next generations. The papers presented at the symposium will Apart from the problem generated for the most certainly not solve all the problems but we people in those regions and on earth in general hope they contribute to the very much needed, there is a moral obligation to preserve the vast continued discussion of possible solutions which biological diversity in the tropical forests. We must be implemented in the near future.