A significant editorial decision was to not subdivide the major sections. Thus, in the first section, for example, there is no apparent ordering of contributions that range from conceptual, to field studies, to empirical analyses. Similarly, readers who may be interested in particular aspects of sustainability, such as water resources or agriculture, will have to find those contributions on their own. Perhaps no structure will please everyone, all the more because sustainability is frequently crosscutting. A number of the papers are excellent, but overall quality is variable.
Many papers present only highlights or recent results.
Much important information is left unstated, leaving conclusions and recommendations unexplained with the material presented. References are often of equivocal value for filling the information gap. A great number of interesting studies are presented, but the working scientist will find little of fundamental interest because of these weaknesses. The book is, however, prolific as a potential source of ideas and insight into a broad swath of international research. And in that context the conference appears to have achieved its objective.