Introduction to Forestry Economics

'Forestry involves using land, labour and capital to producegoods and services from forests, and economics helps in understandinghow we can do this in ways that will best meet the needs ofpeople.' -- from the Preface


This important new textbook is designed to fit the needs of studentsin a second-year course in forestry economics. It assumes completion ofan introductory course in economics. The author is Peter H. Pearse, aninternationally recognized natural resource economist. He teachesundergraduate courses at the University of British Columbia andunderstands the need for a book such as this.


Pearse was motivated by a conviction that a firm grounding ineconomics is integral to sound forestry policies and practices. Becauseforestry students are sometimes skeptical about the usefulness ofeconomics to their future careers, Pearse has 'distilled thesubject down to the fundamentals, the basic economic principles offorestry and how they bear on forest management and policydecisions.' He emphasizes concepts that foresters will find mostuseful throughout their careers.


Introduction to Forestry Economics looks at the applicationof economic principles to both private and public sector forestrydecision-making. While the text covers basic principles such asopportunity cost, equimarginal conditions, and consumer sovereignty, italso provides an excellent discussion of resource allocation overtime.