Diagnóstico de medios de vida y capitales de la comunidad de Humedales de Medio Queso, Los Chiles, Costa Rica.

The way in which forest land is owned directly influences the status of the forest, its condition and the way in which it is managed. The greater the security of local forest tenure, the stronger the interest and will of the community towards its security. One of four papers commissioned by IUCN towards building a comprehensive profile on the subject of community involvement in forest management in eastern and southern Africa, this publication addresses the function of property relations and State-people relations in matters of governance and management. The study is comparative in nature, with a continuing examination of commonality and difference in the handling of property rights in respect of rural communities.

Proposes an overview of the concept of sustainable use, drawing from the growing body of literature concerned with common property resources, ecosystem management and community based natural resource management. It also provides a synoptic account of the state of living natural resources in Mesoamerica, taking into account the efforts undertaken in situ and ex situ Conservation. It also addresses many of the drivers that are affecting the management and final use of natural resources, with particular emphasis on traditional knowledge systems and community based natural resource management. A final section analyses the range of on-going experiences in the local se and management of natural resources, including forest resources, non timber forest products, wildlife and coastal and marine resources. It is hoped that this state of the art review will serve as a reference for future conservation and sustainable use efforts in the Mesoamerican region.