Tropical Deforestation: The Tyranny of Time

This study addresses the now familiar problem of topical deforestation from an unfamiliar angle. More specifically, the author focuses on the time factor in the natural regeneration of the tropical rain forest. He examines the economics and practical implications of the very long period of time needed for such forests to regrow, and concludes that “the tyranny of time” makes it unlikely that the process of deforestation in the tropical rain forest countries can be halted. Those who are likely to find this book interesting include a broad spectrum of academics – resource geographers, resource economists, biologists and botanists – as well as environmentalists and environmental agencies in the West and in the Third World. Politicians and international aid agencies should also find this book useful as background reading. Ooi Jin Bee is the author of “Depletion of the Forest Resources of the Philippines”, “Peninsular Malaysia” and “Development Problems of an Open Access Resource”.