African sacred groves are often described as the remains of primeval forests, ethnographic curiosities, and cultural relics from a static pre-colonial past. Their continuing importance in African societies, however, shows that this 'relic theory' is inadequate for understanding current social and ecological dynamics. This interdisciplinary book, by an international group of scholars and conservation practitioners, provides a new understanding of these forests, examining their ecological characteristics and delineating how sacred groves relate to social dynamics and historical contexts. Index, tables, charts, b/w illus, 230pp, UK. JAMES CURREY PUBLISHERS.

Short contents: Introduction; Agrarian Change in Post retrenchment Lesotho; Social Resilience in African Dryland Livelihoods; Ecological History of the Kapsiki/Higi of N Cameroon and N.E. Nigeria; Drought Related Migration as a Process of Innovation; Understanding Resource Management in W. Sudan; A Comparison of Village Land Use Management and Livelihood Diversification, in Burkina Faso and S.W. Niger; Moving the Boundaries of Forest and Land in N. Ghana; Modes of Governance and Local Resource Management. Tables, charts, 217pp, SWEDEN. NORDIC AFRICA INSTITUTE.

Seeds have been exchanged among cultures for millennia, but suddenly the means of controlling seed trade and genetic transfers have been dramatically altered. Providing vital information to a cross-section of stakeholders, this book highlights the need for strategic policy alternatives to sustain biodiversity. Index, bib, apps, 330pp, USA. AFRICA WORLD PRESS.

The 43rd annual volume in this wide-ranging series. Can capitalism come to terms with the environment? How do market forces impact on the biosphere? What is the significance of the impasse over the Kyoto protocol? How far has socialist thought developed to help us under-stand the environmental dilemma? Has it answers? How can class and environmental politics be brought together? What are the shortcomings Green parties and 'green commerce'? Includes the essay 'Africa: Eco-Populist Utopias and (Micro-)Capitalist Realities by Henry Bernstein and Philip Woodhouse. 367pp, UK. MERLIN PRESS.

Explores the influence of the colonial legacy on contemporary conservation, and on ideas about the relationships between people, polities and nature in countries and cultures that were once part of the British Empire. It locates the historical development of the theory and practice of conservation - at both the periphery and the centre - firmly within the context of this legacy, and considers its significance today. It highlights the present and future challenges to conservationists of contemporary global neo-colonialism. Notes, refs, index. xii, 308pp. UK. EARTHSCAN, 1853837490

The proceedings of a conference held in Botswana, August 19th 21st 2002 whose theme was sustainable development and environmental education. Refs, xiii, 183pp, BOTSWANA, 999128902X

2002 DELAY Paperback

This collection of papers, first published in the journal Africa in 2007, presents the fruits of a collaborative project between African, American and French scholars seeking to understand in more specific terms how natural heritage, territory, and identity relate to each other. They argue that, particularly at a time when neo-liberal reforms (decentralization, privatisation) are being grafted onto community-based organizations and local knowledge, it is important that we give greater attention to how nature, communities, resources, and management practices are conceptualised, prioritised, and (re)configured to ensure that livelihoods and environments are truly enhanced in a sustainable and equitable manner. 168pp, UK. EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY PRESS.

Contributors to this provocative collection of essays assess donor supported environmental projects over the past quarter century. Drawing on case study materials from eight countries, the authors demonstrate that environmental programmes themselves often have direct and far reaching consequences for the distribution of wealth and poverty on the continent. The countries studied include Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and The Gambia. Refs, b/w illus, maps, tables, 350pp, SWEDEN. NORDIC AFRICA INSTITUTE.

Focuses on the roles of the past, present and future human perceptions and actions on savannas and dry forests. It examines how the views of local farmers, NGO workers, government officials and international scientists differ on the links between the social and ecological components of savannas. It deals with these multiple perspectives by using systems diagramming and conceptual modelling to provide a clearer and more explicit understanding and to promote better communication between the various actors concerned. Includes essays on Burkina Faso, Tanzania ad Kenya. 296pp, UK. ASHGATE PUBLISHERS.

Focusing on environment, forestry and conservation sciences, the authors present a study of globalisation, exploring the transformations in global science and its contrasting effects in Guinea, one of the world's poorest countries and Trinidad, a more prosperous, industrialised island. Linking anthropological and developmental perspectives, the authors also show how science becomes part of struggles over power, resources and legitimacy. Illustrated with maps, charts and photos. Index, refs, notes, xi, 272pp, UK. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, 0521535662

A wealth of information and analysis on the environmental forces that have helped shaped the cultures of the African continent. This volume shows how, despite these difficulties, Africans were among the first people to develop agriculture, and today have created impressive net-works of national parks and other land protection systems to help cope with the conflicting demands of conservation and rapid urbanization. 278pp, UK. ABC-CLIO.

An analysis of development theory arguing that environmental management is an economic concern. Using a number of case studies the editors discuss the political and ethical contexts for economic development. Index, gloss, tables, notes, refs, xiv, 488pp, SOUTH AFRICA. JUTA PUBLISHERS.

In describing what a new Earth governance and Earth jurisprudence might look like, the author gives practical guidance on how to begin moving towards it. 'Africa, the cradle of mankind, is rich in biodiversity'. 'Wild Law is a stimulating, eminently readable response to our governance crisis. The survival of our species and health of the Earth family depends on our ability to transform governance systems so that humans become part of the ecological matrix of biological and cultural diversity. This book is a milestone on that path.' - Dr Vandana Shiva. Bib, 235pp, SOUTH AFRICA. SIBERINK.