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Future Forests

Future Forests Why it is so important to address the productivity and sustainability of our forests Hal Salwasser College of Forestry Oregon State University January 24, 2002. Forests cover a large area of the world’s land. Source: FAO 2001; USFS 2000. Forests ~ 45% of the area of Oregon.

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Future Forests

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  1. Future Forests Why it is so important to address the productivity and sustainability of our forests Hal Salwasser College of Forestry Oregon State University January 24, 2002

  2. Forests cover a large area of the world’s land Source: FAO 2001; USFS 2000

  3. Forests ~ 45% of the area of Oregon

  4. Forests ecosystems are vital for life Forests are vital for life Headwaters of the nation: 1/3 area; 2/3 runoff; groundwater recharge; best water from any land use (USFS)

  5. Forests sustain biodiversity and wildlife habitats

  6. Forests supply wood: the “green” material Wood products use less energy and water Energy Water Steel and wood compared in construction of a 10’ x 100’ wall

  7. Wood products meet essential needs

  8. Forests store carbon Forests store ~ 45% of the carbon in terrestrial ecosystems Source: IPCC 2000

  9. Forests sustain livelihoods, communities, recreation, cultural heritage and diversity

  10. Smaller global forest must serve more people in more ways • Wood use up 40% since 1960: 1.5 bcm 2000 • Wood use to rise < 50% by 2050: 2 - 2.5 bcm • Demand for all forest benefits growing as well • Water • Biodiversity conservation • Carbon stores • Recreation, subsistence, cultural uses • < 50% of global fiber from planted forests by mid century or earlier

  11. Forest sustainability rests in a global context • 30% + of industrial wood use crosses an international boundary • US imports 35% + of lumber used • Forest industries integrating globally • Carbon, wood, biodiversity are global issues • ~ 33% OSU forestry grad students are not US citizens • US forest policy choices impact world’s forests

  12. Forests are managed for many different purposes

  13. The broad spectrum of sustainable forestry • Sustainable forest management varies by diverse forest types • It treats each forest differently: depends on goals, capabilities, and needs: • High yield wood and fiber production • Multiple values/uses integrated • Nature preservation, reserves • Urban forests

  14. Global Forests 2000 - 2050 • ~ 3.9 bil ha: ~ 95% natural; ~ 5% planted • ~ 2 cm/ha/yr wood yield from natural forests • 5 - 50 cm/ha/yr yield possible in planted forests • Intensive forestry on 10% of total < 50% of industrial wood demand • Integrated, multi-use forestry on 40% < 50% of industrial wood demand • Nature preservation for 50% of world’s forests Source: Victor and Ausubel 2000

  15. A. High yield forestry Much of world’s wood will come from this forest use Goal: • Most efficient wood/fiber production from ~ 10% of world’s forests • Increase wood yield: 2X to 5X over natural • Reduce environmental impact • Improve product quality • High return on investment

  16. B. Multi-value forestry Most of the world’s accessible forest will be in integrated management Goal: • Meet various landowner objectives on ~ 40% of world’s forests • Optimize joint production • Sustain desired diversity of environmental, economic, community conditions and results

  17. C. Nature forestry Parks, reserves, and wilderness for natural values Goal: • Perpetuate native ecosystems, species, nature’s processes on ~ 50% of world’s forests • Manage people to reduce impacts • Manage forests to restore “naturalness” • Manage ecosystems to ameliorate invasive species, pollution

  18. D. Urban forestry • Goals: • Pleasant neighborhoods • Resource conservation • Property value • Safety • Wildlife habitats

  19. Integrate at landscape, regional scales SustainableForestManagement High Yield Urban Nature Multi value

  20. What will this mean for Oregon? • Industrial forest roles: ~ 5.8 mil ac; 21% • Family forest roles: ~ 4.6 mil ac; 16% • State forest roles: ~ 0.9 mil ac; 3% • Tribal & County forest roles: ~ 0.5 mil ac; 2% • Federal forest roles: ~ 16 mil ac; 57% Depends on policy choices, plans at federal, state, tribal and private levels

  21. Aligning management to purpose High Yield Multi-benefit Nature * Industry * Private, non-industry * Family * Tribal * State ? ? Federal

  22. We face many challenges • Meet the needs of growing populations • Increase productivity and efficiency • Sustain economic vitality of communities • Develop innovative policies -- incentives • Understand the trade-offs in all choices • Invest in new knowledge and technologies • Protect water, fish, wildlife, renewal processes • Create common ground on sustainability

  23. Extreme ideologies are not constructive Nature knows best Markets know best Government knows best Locals know best Scientists know best Common Ground The law is clear I know best

  24. Collaboration and respect are constructive Learn, work with nature Governments set standards Markets are means Common Ground Science informs choices Locals know a lot Everyone has ideas Laws give direction

  25. Let’s consider our choices Managing forests and forest uses on a path to productivity and sustainability: who, how, where, when?

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