This edition by the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Bank, and the World Resources Institute was undertaken to develop recommendations that would safeguard the world's ecosystems.

Part 1 consists of: "Linking People and Ecosystems," "Taking Stock of Ecosystems," Living in Ecosystems," and "Adopting an Ecosystem Approach." Part 2 consists of data tables.

Contains photos, charts, maps, and data tables.