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Home > Programs and Policy > Habitat Conservation > Habitat Conservation Basics > Habitat and Forests

Highlights from Global Markets Forum, June 2005*


National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry

A diverse group of forest stakeholders met to "form a common understanding of the challenge of forest biodiversity conservation in the United States in the face of globalizing timber markets.
The forum addressed a variety of economic, social, and environmental factors that have a profound impact on landscape patterns and associated biodiversity issues. Below are some interesting observations from the report."

Overview

  • No overall expansion of intensively managed forests is anticipated for the U.S. forest landscape.
  • Rapid urbanization of forests has a profound influence on forests and forestry, perhaps more than market demand.
  • Products from U.S. forests are becoming less competitive.
  • A primary goal, supported by most interest groups, is to keep forests as forests.

Findings

  • Global demand for wood products has been flat for 20 years.
  • Wood is being used more efficiently than it once was.
  • Many industrial countries have declining populations.
  • Wood products prices have been declining in recent years.
  • Harvesting is shifting to plantations, and by 2050 up to seventy-five percent of the wood will come from plantations.
  • Competition from developing nations is increasing.


Future Outlook

  • Major transition from ownership of forest land by large timber companies to Timber Investment Management Organizations.
  • Growing number of rural "non timber" family forest owners who emphasize recreation and conservation values.
  • Growing emphasis on diversification of revenue streams rather than emphasis on intensification of forest practices.


Implications for Forest Biodiversity

  • More private landowners may choose longer rotations.
  • Total area of intensively managed is not likely to increase.
  • Forests may become increasingly fragmented in smaller tracts, which are harder to manage.
  • Former government programs that encouraged plantations now emphasize stewardship in a broader environmental context.


Future Challenges

  • We need new means to encourage society to value forests as forests, through emerging markets for water quality, fish and wildlife, recreation and carbon storage.
  • Research is needed to develop metrics and design institutions to support markets for environmental services.
  • Lands managed intensively may supply most wood products, while other land owners take advantage of new incentives to provide biodiversity not well accommodated by intensive forestry.
  • Ecoregional planning and strategic investment by conservation organizations may play a greater role in the future.
  • More resources are needed for programs like Forest Legacy, now will $80 million per year to prevent conversion of forest land to other uses.


Forum Implications for the National Commission on Science and Sustainable Forestry

  • Examine the emergence of family forest owners with non-traditional objectives.
  • New owners and urbanization can have positive and negative effects on forest biodiversity.
  • Need non-traditional management tools.

*These highlights from NCSSF, 2005. Global Markets Forum Summary Report of the National Commission on Sustainable Forestry (NCSSF), Washington, D.C. The report and additional information are available on www.ncssf.org.