Forest Fragmentation & Land Conversion: Analysis of Select Issues

The world-wide conversion of forest land to commercial and residential use is increasingly affecting the ability of ecosystems to provide basic services to humankind. Conversion of forest land affects both private and public forest ownerships. Predicted increases in population growth over the coming decades are expected to result in steadily increasing fragmentation of currently cohesive forest lands. This development can potentially reduce the goods and services derived from both publicly and privately owned forests. This book uses the ecosystem service conceptual framework as a basis for understanding the ecological effects of forest-land conversion, and as a basis for understanding the economic issues that arise in designing policies to conserve forest ecosystems.