Island Futures: Conservation and Development Across the Asia-Pacific Region (Global Environmental Studies Book 0)

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 Asia-Pacific 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 human–environmental interactions. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Introduction: On Island Futures....Pages 1-7 The Futurability of Islands: A Japanese Reflection on the Harmonious Coexistence of Nature and Humankind....Pages 9-18 Between International Law, Kastom and Sustainable Development: Cultural Heritage in Vanuatu....Pages 19-36 Ensuring the Viability of Cultural Heritage: The Role of International Heritage Law for Pacific Island States....Pages 37-51 A Fresh Consideration of Development Strategies for Smaller Island States and Territories....Pages 53-72 Linking Livelihoods and Conservation: Challenges Facing the Galápagos Islands....Pages 73-85 Managing Environmental Diversity for Sustainable Human Communities: Lessons from East Maui, Hawai‘i,USA....Pages 87-98 Linking Conservation of Biodiversity and Community Livelihood in Komodo National Park, Indonesia....Pages 99-105 Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors Among Jeju Islanders, South Korea....Pages 107-123 Changing Coastal Commons in a Sub-Tropical Island Ecosystem, Yaeyama Islands, Japan....Pages 125-137 A Future for Tradition: Cultural Preservation and Transmission on Taketomi Island, Okinawa, Japan....Pages 139-152 Environmental Management in Tasmania: Better Off Dead?....Pages 153-168 An Island Saved, At Least for Some Time? The Advent of Tourism to Rennell, Solomon Islands....Pages 169-175 Back Matter....Pages 177-183 Many island societies now face the challenges of severe depopulation and loss of indigenous culture. In some cases, where the value of indigenous knowledge, nature and culture is widely recognized - as in the case of islands that are designated as, or have, Biosphere Reserves or World Heritage Sites - these challenges may be overcome. Even with such protections local cultures are often displaced by excessive tourist visitations, and the resulting ecosystem degradation and cultural commoditization. How best to manage and conserve the natural and cultural beauty, identity and diversity of island-- Source other than Library of Congress