---

Island societies face a series of threats from severe depopulation to ecological degradation caused by tourism. This volume examines the options for conserving the natural and cultural beauty of Pacific Rim islands from the Galápagos to Okinawa and Taiwan.

---

Islands face one of the most pressing issues of our time: how to balance ecological integrity with economic development and collective quality of life, including the need for social and conservation space. Islands are sites of rich and varied human and ecological diversity, but they are also often characterized by narrow resource bases and dependency on links to the outside world, and by their limited ability to determine the actual character of those links. This volume reviews the challenges of island development and conservation in the Asia-Pacific region. With emphasis on nature reserves and UNESCO World Heritage sites, chapters describe the benefits, barriers, and potential pitfalls in preserving such sites, managing biota, and attracting and controlling tourism. The book also provides a provocative challenge to move beyond the typical concerns of "sustainability" to the more holistic concept of "futurability", or "future potential" for convivial human-environmental interactions.

---

1 Introduction: On Island Futures.-2 The Futurability of Islands: A Japanese Reflection on the Harmonious Coexistence of Nature and Humankind.-3 Between International Law, Kastom and Sustainable Development: Cultural Heritage in Vanuatu.-4 Ensuring the Viability of Cultural Heritage: The Role of International Heritage Law for Pacific Island States.-5 A Fresh Consideration of Development Strategies for Smaller Island States and Territories.-6 Linking Livelihoods and Conservation: Challenges Facing the Galapagos Islands.-7 Managing Environmental Diversity for Sustainable Human Communities: Lessons from East Maui, Hawai´i, USA.-8 Linking Conservation of Biodiversity and Community Livelihood in Komodo National Park, Indonesia.-9 Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors Among Jeju Islanders, South Korea.-10 Changing Coastal Commons in a Sub-Tropical Island Ecosystem, Yaeyama Islands, Japan.-11 A Future for Tradition: Cultural Preservation and Transmission on Taketomi Island, Okinawa, Japan.-12 Environmental Management in Tasmania: Better Off Dead?.-13 An Island Saved, At Least for Some Time? The Advent of Tourism to Rennell, Solomon Islands.-Index

---