Beyond the Biophysical provides a broad overview of agriculture and natural resource management (NRM) scholarship and practice that lies beyond the biophysical, emphasizing instead epistemological, cultural, and political foundations of NRM. The volume is oriented toward professionals with expertise in agriculture and natural resource management scholarship and practice, but who lack exposure to the conceptual and methodological underpinnings of critical theory, the anthropology of development, ecological anthropology, and other relevant scholarship. It therefore follows common standards of academic rigour, but minimizes the use of jargon, integrates detailed case studies with conceptual syntheses, and attempts to move from critique to concrete recommendations for scholarship and practice. The volume seeks to foster a more nuanced and responsible engagement with local communities and the natural world among NRM scholars and practitioners.
From the reviews:
"Each chapter offers insight into the challenges associated with agricultural research and NRM, and emphasizes the limitations of a narrow or fragmented approach. ... the volume is intended to promote an interdisciplinary approach among scientists and development practitioners. ... the chapters are well-written and their arguments should be considered by anyone who is interested in agriculture, NRM, and international development." (Rachel Hestrin, Agriculture and Human Values, Vol. (30), 2013)
"Each chapter offers insight into the challenges associated with agricultural research and NRM, and emphasizes the limitations of a narrow or fragmented approach. ... the volume is intended to promote an interdisciplinary approach among scientists and development practitioners. ... the chapters are well-written and their arguments should be considered by anyone who is interested in agriculture, NRM, and international development." (Rachel Hestrin, Agriculture and Human Values, Vol. (30), 2013)