This paper addresses the broad question ofwhere to locate authority for tropical biodiversity
conservation considering: (1) community-based natural research management (CBNRM)
overreaches the indisputable place of local communities in tropical conservation efforts; (2) the
most promise for tropical conservation and development is offered by multiple layers of nested
institutions; (3) the greatest challenge for implementation of multiple layer designs is weakness
at all levels of existing tropical institutions; and (4) rehabilitating such institutions, facilitating
ongoing coordination among them, and introducing new and appropriate institutional designs will
require significant international and national policy reorientation and greater commitment of
financial and technical assistance
