Island Futures Conservation and Development Across the Asia-Pacific Region [Paperback]

Islands face one of the most pressing issues of our time: how to balance ecological integrity with economic development and collective quality of life, including the need for social and conservation space. Islands are sites of rich and varied human and ecological diversity, but they are also often characterized by narrow resource bases and dependency on links to the outside world, and by their limited ability to determine the actual character of those links. This volume reviews the challenges of island development and conservation in the AsiaPacific region. With emphasis on nature reserves and UNESCO World Heritage sites, chapters describe the benefits, barriers, and potential pitfalls in preserving such sites, managing biota, and attracting and controlling tourism. The book also provides a provocative challenge to move beyond the typical concerns of sustainability to the more holistic concept of futurability, or future potential for convivial humanenvironmental interactions.

Island societies face a series of threats from severe depopulation to ecological degradation caused by tourism. This volume examines the options for conserving the natural and cultural beauty of Pacific Rim islands from the Gal?pagos to Okinawa and Taiwan.

1 Introduction: On Island Futures.-2 The Futurability of Islands: A Japanese Reflection on the Harmonious Coexistence of Nature and Humankind.-3 Between International Law, Kastom and Sustainable Development: Cultural Heritage in Vanuatu.-4 Ensuring the Viability of Cultural Heritage: The Role of International Heritage Law for Pacific Island States.-5 A Fresh Consideration of Development Strategies for Smaller Island States and Territories.-6 Linking Livelihoods and Conservation: Challenges Facing the Galapagos Islands.-7 Managing Environmental Diversity for Sustainable Human Communities: Lessons from East Maui, Hawaii, USA.-8 Linking Conservation of Biodiversity and Community Livelihood in Komodo Nlӂ