Although a focus on timber is understandable as the most evident 'contribution' of the forest to national interests, the formal recognition of a much wider role of forests is required. As with fuelwood, the proper recognition of competing land uses and the role of non-timber forest products is frequently ignored or minimized in resource assessment and outlook analysis. The inclusion of environmental and conservation 'uses' of forests together with a wide range of 'minor' products (including tourism and other activities sustained in part by forests), watersheds, biodiversity, and related considerations into the analysis of sector development must realistically acknowledge the potential demands on forests in competition with timber production. It is Recommended that a structured component of a future Asia Pacific Resource Outlook be inclusive of these alternative forest uses and products and fully recognized as part of the 'output' matrix in terms of future trends and opportunities.
