The importance of hardwood plantations in the tropics and sub-tropics

Abstract

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.

Social learning: A knowledge and capacity building approach for adaptive co-management of contested landscapes

“…Hardwood plantation forestry is one rural industry that has been subject to broad criticism for neither establishing a clear identity nor demonstrating sound economic performance in Australia (Varmola and Carle, 2002;Venn, 2005;O'Toole and Keneley, 2010). The industry has been caught between identities of old growth or natural forests that are valued in society for the provision of social, cultural, ecological and economic services (Garcia-Quijano et al, 2005;Nail, 2008) and those of agriculture, valued for efficient and cost-effective production of food and fibre (Robertson and Swinton, 2005).…”

Volatile organic compounds from vegetation in southern Yunnan Province, China: Emission rates and some potential regional implications

“…Asia is clearly undergoing rapid landscape change, and features large areas of plantations in families and genera with high BVOC emission potential such as Hevea, Eucalyptus, Arecaceae (Palmae), Pinus, in addition to Bambusa. Key genera in the ''other broadleaf'' category include isoprene emitting Dalbergia and Casuarina which collectively accounted for approximately 2 million ha throughout the tropics in 1995 (Varmola and Carle, 2002). Significant areas in low BVOC emitting species such as Acacia, Gmelina, Leucaena, Swietenia, and Tectona were also established on approximately 7 million ha by 1995.…”

“…This is expected to increase to 44% in 2020 and to exceed 50% in 2050. Although increased growth rates will partially satisfy this rising demand, additional conversion of land to plantation forestry will be necessary (Varmola and Carle, 2002). Even as Australia loses a net 400,000 ha per year in total forest area, its forest plantation area continues to increase, and is expected to double to 3 million ha by year 2020 (Schirmer and Kanowski, 2002).…”

Interaction effects between economic development and forest cover determine deforestation rates

“…Largescale plantation schemes have also been implemented in middle-income countries such as China in response to a shortage of wood products and to combat widespread problems with flooding and soil erosion (Lang, 2002;Li et al, 2004). However, these programs require a strong presence from the government (Varmola and Carle, 2002) and substantial capital that must be financed either by the government itself, by international donors, or by private corporations. Obviously, low-income governments have little cash to invest in any environmental project (Wilkie et al, 2001;Balooni, 2003), and the costs of afforestation schemes must be balanced against the opportunity costs of putting that limited pool of money into other economic development schemes (Norton-Griffiths and Southey, 1995;Wilkie et al, 2001;Chomitz et al, 2005).…”