From William F. Laurance, Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project
I greatly enjoyed Charlie Pye-Smith’s report on our studies of forest
fragmentation in the Amazon, which suggest that rainforest remnants could be
important sources of greenhouse gas emissions
(This Week, 22 August, p 12).
I would, however, like to propose one small change in the text. Pye-Smith
concluded his story with the statement that: “Laurance says that governments
should encourage patterns of forest clearing that minimise fragmentation.”
I would prefer to say that I “strongly discourage patterns of forest clearing
that lead to fragmentation”. While this distinction may seem subtle, I would not like
to be seen as “encouraging” further forest clearing in the Amazon—in
any way, shape, or form.
Manaus, Brazil
