This book analyzes the related interdisciplinary links between knowledge, policy and governance in relation to the natural environment, from the local to the global. It is an important contribution in environmental studies, where in-depth analytical writings are not easy to come by. The book contains informed presentations on wide-ranging topics such as he understanding of nature and ecosystemic processes, of the institutions of judiciary that have helped in reducing environmental degradation, of international initiatives like the IPCC or the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, etc.