Book Review

by Paul Ganderton

Furze B., De Lacy T. and Birckhead J. 1996. Culture, Conservation and Biodiversity. Wiley. pp xvi + 265. ISBN 0 471 94902 7. £40.00.

The importance of local involvement has been demonstrated as far back as the Green Revolution of the 1960s. 'Me need for maintenance of biodiversity is now part of the school curriculum This text brings the two ideas together in what should be, but is not always taken as, the way forward. This book arose out of the 1992 Fourth World Congress on Parks and Protected areas. The 10 chapters are divided into four sections. The first acts as a theoretical base for discussions on the notion of "development". The second section continues the theme by examining the role of social science theory. Together these two sections act as the theoretical base through which the third section, dealing with case studies of conservation and development, is mediated. This leaves a final section discussing results and proposing ways forward.

The whole text makes interesting reading and adds much to a less studied area of conservation practice. Although this text is aimed at practitioners and advanced students there is much good material for school students. Cases are brief and contain ideas from which a series of avenues could be explored. For those dealing with cross curricular themes there is a wealth of detail ranging across both social and ecological sciences. At a conservation level it acts as a model for better planning. At the school level it provides suitable case study material for syllabuses where empathy is a focus.