Introduction to World Forestry

"Introduction to World Forestry", covers all aspects of the world's forests past, present and future. The book is divided into five parts. Part one describes the evolution of trees, their biochemistry, and their ecological importance in both rural and urban environments. In its concluding section, the author compares the different methods of forest management, past and present, and showns just how small the number of managed forests in the world still is. Part two is concerned with the human impact on forests from the slash and burn activities of the earliest groups, to the European assault on the tropical forests, and eviction of local populations. This assault, begun in the sixteenth century, is continued today by multi-national companies and landowners. The author continues in part three with his examination of the state of the world's forests, comparing forest cover in the different continents. In the fourth part of the book, the author considers the main issues of global forest ecology. In the rich countries of the world, forests are expanding, as wood consumption soars.
Yet, in the countrie s of Europe, the USSR, North America and Japan, governments have yet to develop coherent policies for the future of their nations' forests, despite growing appreciation of their recreational, scientific and cultural value. In the developing world, forests are shrinking. Jack Westoby evinces the causes and effects of deforestation and desertification and outlines strategies for forest renewal. The author concludes by expounding the notions of social forestry and agro-forestry. He puts forward a clearly-defined view of the ecological and social responsibilities of foresters, and the role forestry must play in both developing and developed countries today and in the future. The book is relevant to first year university students of forestry and development. Also, general readers interested in forestry and conser vation issues.