The Global Timber Resource

Globally, it is estimated that there is 3870 million ha of forests (30 % of the Earth s land area), of which 95 % is natural or semi-natural (Table 1.1). At the present time, in most developed countries, the forest area is increasing and this is likely to continue given the present rates of harvesting. However, in tropical parts of the world, the forest area continues to decline, giving rise to serious concerns. It is estimated that between 1990 and 2000, there was a loss of 9.4 million ha per annum of forest worldwide (an annual deforestation rate of 14.6 million ha and an increase in forest area of 5.2 million ha per year Table 1.2). The only way to reverse this trend is to place sufficient economic value on forest resources, with incentives to encourage sustainable forest management. 

Harvesting operations are moving away from virgin forests, and there is an increasing reliance upon plantations as a source of industrial timber, although the development of such plantations is relatively recent. According to the FAO (2001), half of all established plantations are less than 20 years old. It is predicted that future increases in wood demand will be met largely from plantations. 

Natural forest Plantation forest (million ha) (million ha) 

Domain Deforestation Increase in forest area Net change in forest area 

Global production of roundwood was 3335 million in 1999 (3352 million m in 2000), about 50 % of which was as fuel wood, of which 90 % was consumed in developing countries. Industrial roundwood production (1550 million m in 1999) was dominated by developed countries (79 % of total annual production). This trend will change, in particular with the emergence of China as a major economic force. 

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