The richness and variety of forms and the diversity of species have been acknowledged for centuries. Measures to protect endangered species within this ecosystem were already thought necessary in the nineteenth century, yet tropical deforestation is a major and ever growing problem. A formidable task indeed and perhaps an unattainable one. Nonetheless, Conservation and management of tropical rainforests is a valuable and substantial contribution to the literature and potentially a valuable resource for all concerned with rain forests. Two new works on forestry ergonomics from ILO Improving working conditions and Increasing profits in forestry .
Sectoral activities programme working paper.
K. Johansson and B. Strehlke. Forestry work, and particularly wood harvesting, ranks among the most hazardous of all occupations the world over. This study attempts to show that it pays off to improve the conditions under which forest work is done. Two dozen examples are given of cases where jobs have been made easier and safer, resulting in measurable evidence of significant decreases of fatigue and accidents, reduction of costs and increases of pay and productivity. The examples cover the whole range of forestry activities from nursery work and planting to tending and to wood harvesting.