Abstract

Socio-economic research aims at generating information on the impacts of different activities on different groups in society. Forest conservation essentially aims at sustainability. In combining conservation goals and socio-economic analysis the focus shifts from maximisation to optimisation of resource use and resource sharing. The constraints in achieving conservation and research needed are examined in this paper. Management of forests is examined in terms of socio-economic and conservation criteria. The socio-economic criteria used are efficiency, equity, appropriateness and value. The conservation criteria examined are production, environmental services, biodiversity and option values. Research needs are highlighted. Conservation benefits can be achieved only in the long run. Conservation and economic perspectives merge when the time horizon is extended. Forest conservation cannot be achieved in isolation. Research on the pre-requisites for conservation and in