This book investigates the multifaceted human impacts on the Amazon rainforest ecosystem. Darrell A. Posey, an ethnobiologist and anthropologist, draws upon extensive fieldwork and research to detail how indigenous populations and external forces have shaped Amazonia's environment. The work presents a comprehensive argument for understanding the complex interplay between human activity and ecological change in this vital region.

This work is recognized for its detailed examination of human-environment interactions within the Amazon basin. Posey's anthropological and ethnobiological perspective offers critical insights into the long-term effects of both traditional and modern human activities on the rainforest. The book is considered a valuable resource for understanding the ecological challenges facing Amazonia.