Brouwer and van der Heide intend, in this edited volume, to provide insight into developing viable strategies of sustainable management practices that achieve both economic and environmental objectives. The loosely related papers touch on the wide range of factors that must be taken into account in shaping such policies and strategies, but few of the strategies – or the methods for designing them – seem to be totally satisfactory in practice.

Rather, the papers demonstrate how difficult it is, in a real, constantly evolving world, to formulate and manage effective policies for economic profit and sustainable resource management.

Most authors drew on Europe's experience, but there is a useful discussion on the US Conservation Reserve Program that complements nicely information on the EU's various agri-environment schemes.

Many authors lamented the inadequacy of economic data on and methods for valuation of ecosystem goods and services. How, for example, to design efficient economic incentives to enlist private farmers in the conservation and management of natural resources when one of the desired outcomes is protecting ‘priceless’ biodiversity? Some of the best insights in the book are provided by the cautionary tales encapsulated in case studies.

However, the diversity of authors ensures that lots of ideas, concepts, and experiences are explored. Given the global imperative to move toward a more sustainable future, greater understanding of how local and regional decision-makers are using economics to manage their rural lands, ecosystems and economies for sustainability is critical. Perhaps the next book will include case studies from the developing world as well.