Integrating forest products with ecosystem services: a global perspective

Abstract

Around the world forests provide a broad range of vital ecosystem services. Sustainable forest management and forest products play an important role in global carbon management, but one of the major forestry concerns worldwide is reducing the loss of forestland from development. Currently, deforestation accounts for approximately 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, recent evaluation of the state of the world's ecosystems shows that about 60% of all ecosystems are rapidly degrading or are being used unsustainably. As a result, the rationale for quantifying and valuing ecosystem services is being clearly articulated internationally, along with increasing recognition of the urgency of the need. New efforts to encourage land owners and managers to better conserve these resources through their management as natural capital are being developed at the local, national, and international scales. The connection of sustainable forest management and forest products with ecosystem services was the principal motivation for developing this special issue on the "integration of forest products with ecosystem services."

Citation

Deal, Robert L.; White, Rachel. 2012. Integrating forest products with ecosystem services: a global perspective. Forest Policy and Economics. 17: 1-2.