Wood products utilization : a call for reflection and innovation

Abstract

It is hard to imagine a world without forests. Forests provide a wide range of benefits at the local, national, and global levels. Some of these benefits depend on leaving the forest alone or subjecting it to only minimal interference. Other benefits can only be realized by harvesting the forest for wood and other products. The shrinking land base and growing human population have heightened the challenge for forestry and forest products utilization to produce the needed types and quantity of trees. The concept of sustainability is central to sound forest management and the subject of much current debate. Sustainability in all of its facets becological, economic, and socialc will continue to become increasingly important for stewardship of the worldas forests. Forests provide many and diverse benefits to people, including clean air and water, productive soils, biological diversity, goods and services, employment opportunities, community benefits, recreation, and exposure to nature. Forests also provide intangible qualities such as beauty, inspiration, and wonder.

Citation

Youngquist, John A.; Hamilton, Thomas E. 1999. Wood products utilization : a call for reflection and innovation. Forest products journal. Vol. 49, nos. 11/12 (Nov./Dec. 1999).:p. 18-[30] : ill.