agricultural product production) or direct (e.g., di-
version of water from northern to southern Califor-
nia). In either case, populations in water rich areas
provide water resources to populations in water scare
areas, which may lead to disputes. Water rights issues
within and across national boundaries have a long
history. Hamner and Wolf have compiled a database
(Transboundary Freshwater Disputes) of water rights
treaties, some of which provide models for addressing
natural resource distribution problems across political
boundaries (1997).
Natural Resources and Enduring Conflict
Resolution
Nardulli suggests that there are three key stake-
holder groups which need to be satisfied in natural re-
sources related issues (2011). First commercial sector
interests seeking to earn income from the extraction,
processing, and trade of a resource (e.g., agriculture,
forestry, fisheries or mining). Second are indigenous
populations, whose way of life is dependent on these
resources, whether for trading or local use. Third,
those who seek sustainable use of resources, across
generations, considering a longer timeframe resource
which benefits a population. Political and economic
solutions which address all three stakeholder groups
are most likely to gain broad acceptance and move
away from social strife. With about half of Liberia’s
forested lands (Figure 3) and forest products account-
ing for much of the country’s commercial exports, an
agreement was reached, with significant engagement
from international advisors and with Liberian execu-
tive and legislative endorsement. The Liberian gov-