Role of Plantations as Substitutes for Natural Forests in Wood Supply
Lessons Learned from the Asian-Pacific Region

Table of Contents

Based on the work of
Thomas Waggener
Consultant
Edited by D. J. Mead
March 2001

Forest Plantations Thematic Papers

Disclaimer
The Forest Plantation Thematic Papers report on issues and activities in forest plantations as prepared for FRA 2000. These working papers do not reflect any official position of FAO. Please refer to the FAO website (http://www.fao.org/forestry) for official information.
The purpose of these papers is to provide early information on on-going activities and programmes, and to stimulate discussion.
Comments and feedback are welcome.

For further information please contact:
Mr. Jim Carle, Senior Forestry Officer (Plantations and Protection),
Forest Resources Development Service
Forest Resources Division
Forestry Department - FAO
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
I-00100 Rome (Italy)
e-mail: [email protected]

For quotation:
FAO (2001). Role of plantations as substitutes for natural forests in wood supply – lessons learned from the Asia Pacific Region. Report based on the work of T. Waggener. Forest Plantation Thematic Papers, Working Paper 7. Forest Resources Development Service, Forest Resources Division. FAO, Rome (unpublished).

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Status of Natural Forest Availability for Timber Production

2.1 Natural forests, harvests and forest growth - a delicate balance
2.2 Removal of natural forests from production - recent trends

3. Global Plantations – Emerging Role in Timber Production

4. The Asia-Pacific Region - Implications of Natural Forest Conservation and Logging Bans

4.1 Natural forest status
4.2 Plantations in the Asia-Pacific region
4.3 Asia-Pacific region protected areas and unavailable natural forests
4.4 Asia-Pacific regional experiences with logging bans

4.4.1 Thailand
4.4.2 Sri Lanka
4.4.3 Philippines
4.4.4 New Zealand
4.4.5 China
4.4.6 Vietnam

4.5 Lessons learned from Asia-Pacific experiences

4.5.1 Impacts on timber production
4.5.2 Alternative timber supplies
4.5.3 International trade implications
4.5.4 Comparative advantage

4.6. Conditions for plantations to successfully substitute for natural forest timber

4.6.1 Access to Forest Lands
4.6.2. Technical and Economic feasibility
4.6.3. Use Conditions and Tenure
4.6.4. Market Access
4.6.5. Investment Capital

5. Conclusions

References

List of Working Papers on forest plantation: Thematic Paper Series