LOSS IN SPECIES CAUSED BY TROPICAL DEFORESTATION AND THEIR RECOVERY THROUGH MANAGEMENT

The loss of species as a result of deforestation and degradation of tr opical forest lands is widely discussed. Models based on island biogeo graphy theory are used to evaluate the relationship between extinction s of species and deforestation. The analysis shows that natural resili ency causes the models to overestimate the rates of species extinction s for given intensities of deforestation. There is an opportunity to c ouple natural processes with management activities to reduce species e xtinctions and restore species richness to degraded lands. As an examp le we show how tropical monoculture tree plantations can foster divers e native forests in areas previously deforested. The central point is that well-directed human actions provide us with the means to conserve biodiversity and restore it in locations previously degraded.