The next century of wood products utilization : a call for reflection and innovation

Abstract

Sustainable development has become the umbrella objective for forest management in many countries of the world, and managers are increasingly faced with the challenges of balancing environmental and economic health in their forest management and resource utilization decisions. It can no longer be assumed that abundant raw materials are available simply for the taking. As we enter the next century, a key question is where will we find the wood needed for shelter, fuel, transportation needs, and a host of other durable and nondurable goods? Wood will continue to be a staple of human society well into the 21st century and probably beyond. Changing times will require that we change how the forest resource is managed and used. As we look to the future, we must develop a better understanding of the complex interactions of wood use and the resultant social and ecological considerations. We must find new, more efficient ways to utilize a changing wood resource. The research needed to meet these challenges will be considerable. This paper discusses emerging trends that are affecting us and identifies research options and scenarios that will keep the trend lines of increasing demand, sustainability concerns, and ecosystem capacity from converging. Our goal is sustainable use of forests and sustainable economic development.

Citation

Youngquist, John A.; Hamilton, Thomas E. 1999. The next century of wood products utilization : a call for reflection and innovation. [ICEUPT `99 : International Conference on Effective Utilization of Plantation Timber : timber and wood composites for the next century : May 21-23, 1999, Chi-Tou, Taiwan, R.O.C. : proceedings. Chi-Tou, Taiwan : Forest Products Association of R.O.C., 1999?].:[9] p. : ill.