FORESTRY

As complex political, economic, technological and institutional changes are affecting forests worldwide, the forestry sector finds itself in a context of rapid evolution. In particular, forest degradation and loss continues in many countries, leading to serious international concern for this trend. On the positive side, there is a growing commitment to forest conservation and public involvement in forest management decisions. Forestry issues are increasingly viewed as regional or global in nature and have become part of the international "political agenda".

The challenge in the coming years is to balance increasing demands for goods, including wood and non-wood products, with a wide array of environmental, social and cultural services. While the importance of forests and trees in food security, rural employment, conservation of soil and water resources, mitigating climate change, and in conserving biological diversity are now well appreciated, a concerted effort is needed to reconcile competing claims. As many of the critical issues in the forestry sector are linked with other sectors, there is need for inter-sectoral approaches to forest management and conservation, especially increased collaboration between the forest and agriculture sectors in areas where there is competition for scarce land.

FAO's assistance to Member Governments aims to develop country capacity to deal with different aspects of sustainable management of forest and tree resources. Appropriate policies and legislation, improved research, education and extension capabilities, participatory approaches to resource management, protection of forest resources, conservation of biodiversity, sustainable wood energy systems and sustainable management of non-wood forest products, are some of the thrust areas of field projects. Most projects are multidisciplinary in nature and increasingly rely on various partnership arrangements.

For references to specific Normative Frameworks and "best practice" project examples, see:

• Forest Resources
  
• Forest Products
  
• Forest Policy and Planning

USEFUL FAO LINKS:

• Forestry Department