Conservation and the Agricultural Frontier: Collapsing Conceptual Boundaries

Abstract

Agriculture and forest conservation are frequently placed in opposition to each other at the levels of both science and policy. However, in this article, we outline the ways in which these two fields of practice overlap and argue that—particularly in the context of the global economic crisis and predictions of climate change—it is urgent for conservationists and agricultural specialists to strengthen their collaborative work. We subsequently summarize the articles in this compilation, which demonstrate that human activities at the forest-agriculture interface are complex and multifaceted, and that sustainability is mediated by many factors—including land management practices, economic conditions, and the policy environment. Finally, we summarize a few take-home messages, suggesting new directions and principles for future research at the forest-agriculture interface.