Innovative practices in the sustainable management of fast-growing trees – Lessons learned from poplars and willows and other experiences with fast-growing trees around the world
| Authors: | Ronald S. Zalesny Jr., A. Barzagli, B. Caldwell, G. Minotta, G. Nervo, P. Paris, Elizabeth Rogers, F. Salbitano |
| Year: | 2025 |
| Type: | Miscellaneous |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.4060/cd4104en |
| Source: | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
Abstract
Planted forests account for 7 percent of the global forest area, covering 290 million hectares (ha) of land. About 131 million ha of planted forests are intensively cultivated for productive purposes with fast-growing trees (FGTs). Fast-growing trees have been developed and used for millennia to provide wood and non-wood products to rural communities and other direct and non-direct benefits to urban societies. Globally, FGT plantations comprise a variety of tree species in temperate, subtropical and tropical biomes. These belong to genera such as Populus, Salix, Paulownia, Pinus, Acacia, Casuarina, Eucalyptus and Tectona with diverse applications ranging from forest farming to plantations for biomass production. Many FGTs are pioneer species that can colonize bare or degraded lands, and for this reason they are often used to provide a wide range of ecosystem services beyond contributing to wood security.
Today, FGTs represent an important economic sector for many countries. They are key to the industrial bioeconomy as well as the livelihoods of local communities. Fast-growing trees also have huge potential for combating climate change and providing other ecosystem services, thanks to their fast growth, high efficiency in functional ecophysiology, and ability to adapt to poor ecological conditions. However, to obtain the greatest economic and environmental benefits from FGTs, knowledge on the genetics, physiology and ecology of FGTs must be advanced further, and the understanding of socioeconomic factors contributing to the success of FGTs must be strengthened. The objective of this publication, Innovative practices in the sustainable management of fast-growing trees: lessons learned from poplars and willows and experiences with other fast-growing trees around the world, is to address knowledge gaps and the current and potential development of FGTs at the global scale by highlighting successful, innovative FGT practices that can help sustain people and the environment. Further, the book aims to make this information relevant and accessible to a diverse range of stakeholders involved in the agriculture and forest sectors, including researchers, landowners, technical operators and planners, and policymakers. In this context, the authors propose a comprehensive list of references as part of the methodology.
In total, 43 authors from nine countries contributed to this book, bringing their ideas, experience and expertise to advance innovation in FGT science, management and policy. Multiple themes within these broad categories are discussed. First, the FGT genera and species deemed most common across varied climatic zones are introduced. This is followed by a discussion on the adverse biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors affecting FGT plantations, and the management actions that can be taken to mitigate these. The genetic resources and genetic improvement of FGTs are described, with a focus on conservation strategies for maintaining genetic integrity, and the potential for developing and deploying superior forest reproductive material (FRM) for FGT plantations. Next, the environmental dimensions of FGTs are discussed (with aspects such as climate-change resilience, enhanced biodiversity, improved water quality and soil health, and pollution mitigation), followed by their societal dimensions (i.e. enhanced livelihoods, non-wood products, landscape restoration and landscape design, and trees in cities) and their productive dimensions (i.e. raw materials for primary production). Finally, a path forward is presented for innovations in FGT management practices, and models for economic sustainability of FGTs are suggested.