This chapter summarizes the key findings of FAO's Global Planted Forests Outlook 2005-2030, which highlights that although planted forests cover less than 3% of land area, they contribute a significantly higher proportion of overall goods (wood, fibre, fuel) and environmental and social services, now, and increasingly in the future. It also seeks to estimate the industrial roundwood from planted forests globally.

The importance of tropical and subtropical hardwoods in industrial wood production in relation to market opportunities are discussed. Forest plantation areas in 1995 are presented based on a comprehensive study made within the framework of UK/FAO Trust Fund Project. Reported gross plantation areas tended to be higher than the actual plantation resources and reduction factors were used to derive net plantation areas. Of the net area of 56.3 million hectares of forest plantations in the tropics and sub-tropics in 1995, 32.3 million hectares were hardwood spe cies and 24.0 million hectares were softwoods. Special attention is given to the most valuable "luxury" hardwoods: teak, mahogany and rosewood. Indicative estimates of teak standing volume (industrial wood) annually available are presented showing Asia dominating production. According to five case studies, in Malaysia, the Melanesian Islands, Central America, Australia and Ghana , governments have a significant role in initiating hardwood plantation development. Recommendations are given for promoting the establishment of hardwood plantations in the tropics and sub-tropics. Demonstration plantations should be established, impediments for foreign investments should be minimised and reviews of legislation and regulations should be made, as necessary. A s trategy of plantation development should be part of national forest programmes and plantation opportunities should be promoted. During the coming decades tropical hardwood plantations will produce an increasing volume of valuable timber. In the long term it is likely that the demand for tropical hardwood plantation grown industrial roundwood will exceed supply. There remains good market potential for valuable hardwood plantations, but if this potential is not realized the opportunity will be lost to substitute wood and non-wood products.

Although planted forests have produced forest products for centuries, the past 4-5 decades has seen an increase in diversity of species, areas planted, growth rates, harvest yields, forest products and the acknowledgement of a wide range of ecosystem services. This paper highlights the potential role of planted forests towards the mid-21 st Century through changing conditions including climate, indigenous forest resources, land availability, socio economic and environmental conditions, innovative forest and forest industries technologies, market demands for sustainability and legality and new innovations in green growth economies. Lessons learned from the past will assist in determining the issues, opportunities, and challenges facing the future of planted forests.

This chapter synthesizes highlights of the FAO's Global Planted Forests Thematic Study, including the results and analysis of the global survey of planted forest 2005. Survey results are summarized on an area basis (1990, 2000, 2005), according to forest plantations, planted semi-natural forests and total planted forests, by productive or protective purpose. Additional information according to ownership, species, growth rates, age classes, rotation and end uses is also summarized. An appendix provides detailed area tables by country.

This chapter presents case studies from around the world illustrating the economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts that poplars and willows have on food security, poverty alleviation and sustainable land use. As such, poplar and willow cultivation is an outstanding tool to contribute to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal No. 1 (eradicate extreme poverty and hunger), No. 3 (promote gender equality and empower women) and No. 7 (ensure environmental stability).