In recent years, both Australia and the United States have experienced very large, high-intensity wildfires in forested areas, which have impacted dramatically on human life and high-value assets, as well as on forest productivity and environmental values. Whilst 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.

Summary: 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.

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 face these questions due to the economic and global competition that they now find themselves in. 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.

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 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.

Summary: 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, through removals 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 maximizes their vital potential to sequester significant amounts of carbon. The study involved a comparison of initiatives currently underway in Australia with international initiatives, particularly those in the USA, focusing on both the science and the policies that have created and constrained these initiatives.

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.

This report summarizes findings of a study into 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.

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 U.S. and their lessons for Himachal Pradesh. 59 pages, color.

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.