The 1986 - 1996 period was a time of uneven change in the level of public awareness and political commitment to biodiversity conservation throughout the countries of the Indo- Malayan Realm. There were many noteworthy initiatives to halt the loss of biodiversity through the establishment of national protected areas systems. Yet, the extinction of species, the conversion and degradation of natural habitats and the disruption of ecological processes continues at a disturbing rate throughout much of Asia. Changes in public awareness and political good will have yet to result in the level, or quality of "on- the-ground" protected areas management required to halt or reverse these negative trends. As the report points out, there is a long way to go towards establishing a truly effective protected areas system for the Indo-Malayan Realm.

During the 1986 - 1996 period, many countries undertook their own national biodiversity reviews or developed detailed national conservation strategies and environmental action plans. These various national efforts — each varying with respect to style, approach, methodology, and objective — now make it necessary to synthesize the large pool of new information into a readily accessible format upon which to build for the future.

The report makes specific suggestions at the country and bio-unit levels on priorities for future investments and institutional development. A range of national and international interventions are needed. Perhaps most importantly, the report highlights the urgent need to develop the human resources capacity to implement and manage national protected areas systems. Programs to provide practical training and equipment for on the ground managers and scientists are the utmost priority.

We hope this review will be of value to conservation specialists and development practitioners in their quest to conserve Asia's rich biological resources upon which so many people depend.