Special Reports

WFI has conducted special studies on environmental issues affecting the forest products community. Note that some older reports are not availabe for download (print only). Please contact us for details.

At the Crossroads: A Comparison of Current Social, Scientific and Political Influences on Fire Management in Australia and the USA
November 2005
In recent years, both Australia and the United States have experienced very large, high-intensity wildfires in forested areas, which have dramatically impacted human life and high-value assets, as well as on forest productivity and environmental values. While the results from this upsurge in wildfire activity are dramatic, there is considerable deliberation and controversy in both countries as to the causes, as well as the proposed actions that can be taken to mitigate the effects of high intensity wildfires. In addition, there has been increasing recognition of the role of fire in maintaining ecological processes and functions in forest areas, often described in general terms as "forest health" issues. This report discusses social, political, economic, and scientific influences on fire management in the US and Australia. 67 pages, color.

Bioenergy: A Future for the Australian Forest Industry
August 1995
With growing global warming concerns, and a desire to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, bioenergy offers a modern, earth-friendly alternative. This study illustrates the potential viability of bioenergy for Australia. 160 pages, black and white.

Certification Feasibility Study
1993
A 1993 focus group of landowners, wood products manufacturers, forest managers, wholesalers, builders and environmentalists in Oregon and Washington were interviewed on the feasibility of wood certification. Private and public landowners in the Pacific Northwest believe they could face higher land management costs if wood products certification becomes a widely accepted practice. Architects, retailers and others, however, recognize the increasing demand for certified wood products. These are among the findings of a feasibility study completed in September 1993 by the World Forest Institute. Funded by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the study assessed the feasibility of implementing forest products certification in the Pacific Northwest through voluntary participation rather than legislative mandate. Certified wood products would carry a guarantee that resources used in their manufacture come from sustainably managed forests. Sustainable forests would be defined and managed according to principles established by the FSC. To complete this study, WFI staff interviewed a cross section of landowners, wood products manufacturers, forest managers, wholesalers, builders and environmentalists in Oregon and Washington. Interviews were also held in British Columbia with a similar representation of interest groups. Further findings indicate that certification would initially be a way to recognize good forest management, but would not significantly change forest management in the Pacific Northwest, which already has some of the more stringent management regulations in the world.

Comparative Analysis and Policy Recommendations on Developing Bamboo Resource Tenure in Asia and Africa
June 2006
With increasing public awareness of the need for forest protection, harvesting in natural forests has been restricted in many Asian and African countries. Facing demand for forest products from huge populations and income-generation requirements from forest-dependant people, many countries are turning to non-timber forest products, such as bamboo, as a potential source of income to support rural livelihoods. Despite economic promise, it remains a challenge for governments to create the necessary incentives for rural households and local private entities to participate in bamboo management. This report explores bamboo sector challenges and forest tenure issues in seven developing countries. The report finds that laying a foundation of adequate tenure user rights is critical to creating an environment in which public policy, the free market, and individuals can function most efficiently and effectively. 99 pages, color.

The Changing World of Forest Management

May 2004
Forest management is a global business. It is also a capital-intensive business. With wood increasingly seen as a commodity, the forest industry looks around the world when it comes to making strategic decisions such as, should we grow our own wood? And, if so, should we grow it locally or somewhere else? Forest owners are grappling with these questions due to the economic and global competition that they now face. Forest ownership is changing, and the new owners bring with them a new focus that is highly financially driven. How these new demands pan out in the future remain to be seen, but one thing is already clear: today's forest managers will see big changes in how they are expected to manage industrial timberlands. The changes are most apparent when comparing across various industrial forest ownership types, since who owns the forest largely determines management objectives and priorities. This paper seeks to understand how biological, environmental and social constraints, securitisation, and information technology drive forest management in the Pacific Northwest.

Forest Management Certification Report: Implementation of Sustainable Forest Management Systems and Forest Management Certification in North America
October 1996
A 71 page in-depth report that analyzes sustainable forest management systems (SFM) and forest management certification in the US and Canada. The report details the SFM systems operating in North America, what they involve in implementation, and why forest managers are embracing SFM and certification. It provides an excellent resource for forest managers considering the implementation of SFM systems and certification. The report combines research and field investigations at operational and management levels and includes an analysis of the following aspects: SFM systems currently available; SFM criteria and performance indicators used; assessment and rating processes; company management system evaluation; conditions and obligations of certification; operational considerations (cost, impact on forest management); policy considerations; markets for certified product; objectives of SFM and certification; forest industry concerns; future trends in SFM and certification. The report also discusses the development of SFM at the international level, outlining both international and national initiatives. SFM criteria and performance indicators specific to the systems examined are detailed.

Global Warming: Forest-based Options for Australia: An International Perspective
November 1997
This 60-page report focuses on forest-based options for Australia as well as other nations to consider in response to the threats of global warming. The report provides valuable information for those interested or engaged in the management and welfare of the world's forests carbon reservoirs that play a critical role in balancing the global carbon cycle. The report was commissioned by the Australian Forest & Wood Products Research & Development Corporation, and produced in cooperation with the National Association of Forest Industries in Australia. The Australian forest industry has expressed a keen interest in the international development of climate change mitigation policy and projects. The forestry sector is the only industry sector in Australia, and most parts of the world, that, by removing of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, slows rather than accelerates global warming. It is important that Australia and other primary forest nations keep abreast of international efforts to slow the global warming process with forests, and maximize their potential to sequester significant amounts of carbon. The study involves a comparison of initiatives currently underway in Australia with international initiatives, particularly those in the US, focusing on both the science and the policies that have created and constrained these initiatives.

Integrated Field Management Applications: Adopting Field Technologies to Streamline Information Management
July 2008
This project focuses on technologies that allow integrated management of field information: integrated in the sense that information is shared between office and field in a seamless fashion. Interviews were held with private and public forestry companies, state and federal government agencies and software vendors. Results of interviews and case studies provide a cross section of technologies to demonstrate possible applications in the field of forestry.

Managing Risk in the Evolving World of Timberland Investment
December 2004
The recent shift of timberlands from traditional timber companies to Timberland Investment Management Organizations (TIMOs) illustrates a change in the way that companies view the risks and rewards of owning their own fiber resources. Written by Danish alumnus Mikkel Nielsen, this 84 page WFI special report explores risk in timberland investment. The report focuses on the risk categories timberland investors are exposed to, and in particular focuses on risk drivers of greatest interest in the Pacific Northwest. A benchmark and framework for assessing risk information before investing in timberland is given.

Market Opportunities for Australia’s Plantation Resource
December 1999
Plantation forests are becoming increasingly important providers of wood resource for the Australian forest products industry. Australia is currently a net importer of forest products but with the increase in log availability from plantations, it is anticipated that Australia will have a production surplus for most forest products within the next decade. This report explores Australia's plantation resources, as well as market opportunities for products. 72 pages, black and white with charts and graphs.

North America Timber Production, Consumption, Preferences, and Opportunities for Australian Native Timbers
January 2002
This report addresses factors related to developing a successful marketing strategy for Australian native timbers in North America. The report was commissioned by the Australian Forest & Wood Products Research & Development Corporation. An overview of timber production and consumption in North America and an overview of selected industries (construction, building materials, furniture, etc) is given. North American timber users and specifiers were surveyed in regards to current timber use and preferences held regarding the visual and structural properties of timber used are given. Based upon survey results, commercial opportunities for Australian timbers are explored and recommendations. are given. 253 pages, black and white with charts and graphs.

An Overview of North American Forest Modeling Approaches and Their Potential Application to Australian Native Forest Management
May 2007
This report summarizes findings of a study of forest management modeling systems across North America. An overview and recommendations on natural forest management growth and yield modeling systems and approaches is used for addressing the complexities of strategic wood supply forecasting and tactical harvest scheduling is presented. 146 pages, color, with charts and graphs.

Siberian Expectations: An Overview of Regional Forest Policy and Sustainable Forest Management
July 2003
Authors: V.A. Sokolov, I.M. Danilin, I.V. Semetchkin, S.K. Farber, V.V. Bel'kov, T.A. Burenina,
O.P. Vtyurina, A.A. Onuchin, K.I. Raspopin, N.V. Sokolova, and A.S. Shishikin
The Russian Federation is an example of how economic, social, and political issues impact development and enactment of forest legislation. The current Forest Code of the Russian Federation (1997) has many problems and does not provide for needed progress in the forestry sector. It is necessary to integrate economic, ecological, and social forestry issues, and this is not taken into account in the Forest Code. Additionally, excessive centralization in forest management and the forestry economy occurs. This manuscript discusses the problems facing the forestry sector of Siberia and recommends solutions for some of the major problems.

Sustainable Forest Management in Australia, Canada, and Finland: A Comparative Study
December 1998
Australia, a nation with a modest forestry base but an ambitious plantation and export plan, compares well against some of the best managed forests in the world. This study compares the performance of the Australian forestry sector with those in Canada and Finland, two of the most highly developed forestry nations in the western world. While certification is addressed, the study takes a much broader look at the notion of sound forest management. Also considered are how these countries have dealt with the complex issues of maintaining biodiversity while sustaining a viable and growing timber industry, the development of a national forest strategy that supports international conventions on sustainability, and the role of the public and indigenous populations in forest planning and conservation needs. 42 pages, black and white, with charts and graphs.

Sustainable Forest Management in Himachal Pradesh: Balancing conservation, production and use of forest goods and services for livelihood options and poverty alleviation
August 2006
There is an ever increasing demand on the resources of Himachal's forests, due to
population growth and limited, fragmented agricultural land. At the same time, the forest
sector has diminished capacity - limited staffing, lack of financing, lack of expertise and
reach - to meet the forest needs and aspirations of the people. The prominent concerns in
Himachal are poverty reduction and economic growth, and how to achieve both alongside
conservation and development. This exploratory report highlights the sustainable forest management practices being utilized in the PNW, and includes some case studies both in Oregon and the US and their lessons for Himachal Pradesh. 59 pages, color.

United States' Markets for Brazilian Plantation Wood
August 2008
This report provides an overview of wood moulding and softwood plywood manufacturing and trade between Brazil and the United States of America. This report additionally offers a brief prediction for the future of the US market for Brazilian moulding and plywood. 33 pages, color.

Market Briefs

These concise, 10-12 page briefs highlight specific market sectors or trends in select regions. Packed with tables and charts, these profiles are formatted for easy reference.

Argentina and Uruguay

June 1999
This Market Brief provides an overview of two emerging forestry sectors in South America. Argentina and Uruguay are establishing government incentives to develop areas of fast-growing plantations to feed the pulp and paper and value-added industries. 15 pages, color with tables, charts and maps.

Australian Forests and Plantations
September 1998
Australia has an ambitious plan to triple its plantation forest base by the year 2020. This plan comes at a time of unprecedented public involvement by diverse stakeholders in forest management decisions. 10 pages, color with tables and charts.