The purpose of the expert consulation was to review of current policies that affect the management of livestock and natural resources, focussing on sub-regions and different agro-ecological settings and the identification of policy trade-off. Presentations/resource papers were delivered from each of the five different sub-regions of the Latin American/Caribbean region (Amazon/Brazil; Andean countries/highlands; Central American countries and Mexico; Southern Cone; Caribbean).

One of the greatest challenges faced by mankind is to satisfy the needs of the fast growing global population and at the same time preserve land, water, air and biodiversity resources. Livestock are a crucial element in this balancing process. Demand for livestock products is growing fast, especially in the developing world. Livestock, through their multiple functions, are a cornerstone of the livelihood of most of the rural population in the developing world.

La mayor parte de los nmeros de Unasylva se centran en un tema concreto. El objetivo de esa orientacin temtica es examinar de forma pormenorizada un aspecto determinado de las actividades y el desarrollo forestales, con el fin de resaltar su significado e importancia dentro de los confines ms amplios de nuestro universo. Sin pretender que los diferentes nmeros sean como un manual de una materia concreta, se propone presentar una serie de anlisis de cuestiones especficas que contribuyan a suscitar inters y a concienciar al lector.

Meeting symbol/code: FO:LACFC/98/REP
Session: Sess. 20

Most issues of Unasylva focus on a specific theme. The objective of this thematic orientation is to examine in depth a given aspect of forest and forestry development in order to highlight its significance and importance within our wider universe. The aim is not to serve as a primer or textbook on the chosen subject (this clearly would he impossible given the limited size of the journal) but rather to present a series of analyses on specific aspects that help to spark interest and awareness.

A discussion of the concerns of the environmental movement in the Asia-Pacific region with reference to biological diversity, forest loss, indigenous and forest-dependant people and climate change. The environmental perspective of different aspects of forestry development in the region is elucidated. Three possible scenarios for the future are presented depending on the level of achievement of environmental goals.

La plupart des numros d'Unasylva sont axs sur un thme particulier. L'objectif n'est pas de prsenter une introduction ou un manuel sur le sujet choisi (ce qui serait impossible tant donn le format de la revue), mais plutt de proposer une srie d'analyses sur des aspects spcifiques qui contribuent veiller l'intrt et l'attention du lecteur. Les articles sont dits de faon intresser les lecteurs dont le travail porte essentiellement sur le thme choisi, ainsi que la majorit des lecteurs qui travaillent dans d'autres disciplines.

En diciembre de 1997, la FAO alberg un seminario sobre el pluralismo y el desarrollo forestal y rural sostenible, cuya finalidad era intercambiar informacin y experiencias y encontrar mtodos que permitan optimizar la cooperacin entre distintos grupos interesados en la ordenacin de los recursos forestales. El seminario cont con la presencia de 35 participantes en representacin de organizaciones (y de tipos de organizacin, regiones geogrficas y disciplinas) diferentes. Los artculos de este nmero de Unasylva son adaptaciones de los documentos presentados en ese seminario.

This issue of Unasylva focuses on the challenges facing mountain development into the twenty-first century.