Search Results (142)

China’s timber market is very complex and heterogeneous, and is experiencing the impact of the construction of national reserve forests and the downturn in the real estate sector. By setting up a partial equilibrium model which reflects the heterogeneity of China’s wood market, not only difference among domestic timber groups can be identified, but the dissimilarity of imported timber can also be differentiated from the aspects of species and sources. This model is capable of capturing the effects of macroeconomic conditions, forestry sector policies, and trade cost variations on China’s timber market structure. According to simulations of supply shocks, China’s large-diameter log capacity enhancement will have a noticeable crowding-out effect on imported timber, suggesting the diameter of logs is an important factor for market entities to make trade-offs between domestic and imported timber. Amidst both supply and demand shocks, the equilibrium quantity changes in China’s domestic small-diameter logs and imported timber are dominated by demand shocks, whereas the equilibrium quantity change in China’s domestic large-diameter logs is dominated by supply shocks; moreover, only domestic large-diameter logs realize quantity increase in double shocks; this improves China’s domestic timber supply structure, and is a good example of “opportunities in crisis” in the face of negative demand shocks. Full article

The effects of changes in China’s final demand structure on its forestry sector and associated supply chains have not been thoroughly examined. This study aims to provide a detailed analysis of the quantitative relationships and underlying mechanisms between these interactive changes. Using China’s 153-sector input–output tables from the National Bureau of Statistics and applying a Leontief-based input–output model, we conducted scenario simulations through three distinct schemes, generating both quantitative and qualitative results. Our findings indicate that (1) For China’s forestry sector and its entire value chain to thrive, policymakers should boost consumer demand. This can better stimulate the development of forestry and the “agriculture-forestry-animal husbandry-fishery services” sector and related service industries; (2) Increased investment demand effectively stimulates the development of tertiary industries and secondary industries within the forestry supply chain and boosts the demand and production of intermediate products; (3) Changes in net exports have a significant impact on forestry and the forestry industry chain. To reduce dependence on foreign timber resources, China should strategically expand commercial plantation development; (4) Regarding intermediate product production, investment has a more pronounced effect on increasing total volume compared to consumption. Additionally, the Sino–US tariff disputes negatively impact the forestry industries of both countries. China needs to accelerate import substitution strategies for timber products, adjust international trade markets, and expand domestic consumption and investment to ensure the healthy and stable development of its forestry sector. Full article

Heilongjiang Province, as China’s principal gateway for Russian timber imports, faces structural inefficiencies in the localization of wood-processing enterprises—characterized by ecological sensitivity, resource–industry mismatches, and uneven spatial distribution. To address these challenges, this study proposes a two-stage site selection framework that integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with an enhanced Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II). The model aims to reconcile ecological protection with industrial efficiency by identifying optimal facility locations that minimize environmental impact, reduce construction and logistics costs, and enhance service coverage. Using spatially resolved multi-source datasets—including forest resource distribution, transportation networks, ecological redlines, and socioeconomic indicators—the GIS-based suitability analysis (Stage I) identified 16 candidate zones. Subsequently, a multi-objective optimization model (Stage II) was applied to minimize carbon intensity and cost while maximizing service accessibility. The improved NSGA-II algorithm achieved convergence within 700 iterations, generating 124 Pareto-optimal solutions and enabling a 23.7% reduction in transport-related CO₂ emissions. Beyond carbon mitigation, the model spatializes policy constraints and economic trade-offs into actionable infrastructure plans, contributing to regional sustainability goals and transboundary industrial coordination with Russia. It further demonstrates methodological generalizability for siting logistics-intensive and policy-sensitive facilities in other forestry-based economies. While the model does not yet account for temporal dynamics or agent behaviors, it provides a robust foundation for informed planning under China’s dual-carbon strategy and offers replicable insights for the global forest products supply chain. Full article

After decades of calls for more sustainable land use systems, there is still a lack of consensus on an appropriate way forward, especially for tropical and subtropical agroecosystems. Land Maxing utilises appropriate, community-based interventions to fortify and maximise the multiple, long-term benefits and interest flows from investments that rebuild all six essential capitals of sustainable development (natural, social, human, physical, financial and political/corporate will) for resource-poor smallholder communities in tropical and subtropical countries. Land Maxing adds domestication of overlooked indigenous food tree species, and the commercialization of their marketable products, to existing land restoration efforts while empowering local communities, enhancing food sovereignty, and boosting the local economy and overall production. These agroecological and socio-economic interventions sustainably restore and intensify subsistence agriculture replacing conventional negative trade-offs with fortifying ‘trade-ons’. Land Maxing is therefore productive, regenerative, remunerative and transformative for farming communities in the tropics and sub-tropics. Through the development of resilience at all levels, Land Maxing uniquely addresses the big global issues of environmental degradation, hunger, malnutrition, poverty and social injustice, while mitigating climate change and restoring wildlife habitats. This buffers subsistence farming from population growth and poor international governance. The Tropical Agricultural Association International is currently planning a programme to up-scale and out-scale Land Maxing in Africa. Full article

The global supply chain of wood products plays a key role in sustainable development and climate resilience, but remains fragmented in the academic and technical literature. This systematic review aims to synthesize research published between 2000 and 2025 on wood products’ production, transformation, trade, governance, and sustainability. A comprehensive search was conducted in multiple databases and repositories, including Scopus, FAOSTAT, ScienceDirect, DOAJ, SciELO, CAPES, EMBRAPA, and AGNIC. A total of 784 records were identified and, after applying eligibility and deduplication criteria, 119 documents were included in the final synthesis. The results reveal key thematic trends, including the dynamics of international timber trade, certification and traceability systems, logistical challenges, digitalization, and integration of forest policies. Key gaps include limited inclusion of smallholders, low technology adoption in the Global South, and fragmented governance mechanisms. The results suggest that improving sustainability in global timber supply chains requires coordinated policy frameworks, technological investment, and inclusive market systems. This review contributes a consolidated overview and offers insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the forestry sector. Full article

This paper considers the critical role of local markets in sustaining rural communities and forests through the trade of Boswellia serrata Roxb. gum-resin as a culturally significant non-timber forest product (NTFP). Despite its cultural significance in Hindu rituals, little is known about the market dynamics at the consumer end of the value chain. This is one of the first detailed studies on consumer behavior and seller economics of B. serrata gum-resin in temple contexts. Open-ended surveys with sellers and consumers reflect seller activities, incomes, and consumer perceptions within the markets, providing insights into the dynamics of the gum-resin value chain and the implications for sustainability. Challenges gum-resin sellers face are brought to light, with a notable struggle to secure a significant portion of the final product’s value. Consumer perceptions are identified as a pivotal aspect influencing this NTFP’s market dynamics. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer demand and preferences in shaping market size and sustainability practices. The research advocates for establishing structured markets to enhance returns for harvesters and reduce costs for consumers. In providing insights into the socio-economic aspects of temple markets for B. serrata gum-resin, this study contributes to the understanding of NTFP value chains and their broader impact on the sustainability of forest-dwelling communities and forest ecosystems. The findings underscore the need for informed interventions and policy measures to address challenges, promote equitable practices, and ensure the long-term viability of NTFP-based economies. Full article

This study was carried out at 10 randomly selected fringe villages of Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) in the Terai region of West Bengal, India through personal interviews with 100 randomly selected respondents. The study documented 102 non-timber forest products (NTFPs) that were utilized throughout the year. In the local weekly market, 28 NTFPs were found to be traded by the collectors. The study shows that without proper price mechanisms and marketing channels; the residents cannot obtain fair prices for their products. The study found only nine NTFPs that were prominently traded with the involvement of middlemen and traders along with the royalty imposed by the State Forest Department. The MSPs computed for these nine NTFPs were 25–200% higher than the prices the collectors were selling to the traders. The nationalization of NTFPs through MSPs will help their effective marketing, ensuring an adequate income for the collectors, which will lead to their sustainable harvest and conservation through participatory forest management. Introducing MSPs for NTFPs with an efficient procurement network can advance the economic status of the inhabitants. We recommend increasing the inhabitants’ capacity to collect, store, process, and market NTFPs with active policy, institutional, and infrastructural support. Full article

Human-caused habitat conversion, degradation, and climate change threaten global biodiversity, particularly in tropical forests where vascular epiphytes—non-parasitic plants growing on other plants—may be especially vulnerable. Epiphytes play vital ecological roles, in nutrient cycling and by providing habitat, but are disproportionately affected by land-use changes due to their reliance on host trees and specific microclimatic conditions. While tree species in secondary forests recover relatively quickly, epiphyte recolonization is slower, especially in humid montane regions, where species richness may decline by up to 96% compared to primary or old-growth forests. A review of nearly 300 pertinent studies has revealed a geographic bias toward the Neotropics, with limited research from tropical Asia, Africa, and temperate regions. The studies can be grouped into four main areas: 1. trade, use and conservation, 2. ecological effects of climate and land-use change, 3. diversity in human-modified habitats, and 4. responses to disturbance. In agricultural and timber plantations, particularly those using exotic species like pine and eucalyptus, epiphyte diversity is significantly reduced. In contrast, most native tree species and shade-grown agroforestry systems support higher species richness. Traditional polycultures with dense canopy cover maintain up to 88% of epiphyte diversity, while intensive management practices, such as epiphyte removal in coffee and cacao plantations, cause substantial biodiversity losses. Conservation strategies should prioritize preserving old-growth forests, maintaining forest fragments, and minimizing intensive land management. Active restoration, including the translocation of fallen epiphytes and planting vegetation nuclei, is more effective than passive approaches. Future research should include long-term monitoring to understand epiphyte dynamics and assess the broader impacts of epiphyte loss on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Full article

Ecosystem services play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, providing essential functions. This study examines the trade-offs and synergies among five key ecosystem services in ecological forests across different regions of Hunan Province, China. Various machine learning models are compared to predict ecosystem service value (ESV) levels, with the most effective predictive model identified. The SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis is employed to identify key environmental and management factors influencing ecosystem services. Our findings reveal significant regional variations in ecosystem services, with the eastern and western regions showing superior soil conservation and forest nutrient retention. In contrast, the southern and western regions, particularly karst areas, display fewer trade-offs between ecosystem services, likely due to the effectiveness of ecological policies. SHAP analysis further reveals that factors such as precipitation during the warmest quarter, central government compensation funds, and timber harvesting volume strongly influence regional ESV. This study provides valuable insights for improving ecosystem service management and policy-making in rapidly developing regions, underscoring the importance of ecological protection strategies for sustainable development. Full article

This study examines decay risks in cross-laminated timber (CLT) wall assemblies with built-in moisture, aiming to develop a simulation-based methodology to assess moisture dynamics during the construction phase. Differing from previous research, this study focuses on the central regions of CLT wall panels. Moisture distribution within the panel, especially in the exposed layer, is critical for understanding potential degradation. A series of simulations were conducted to determine the necessary level of detail for moisture profiling, comparing approaches that use a single average value, layer-specific averages, and a refined profile that distinguishes the outer 5 mm from the remaining material. The influence of factors such as wood type, glue type, delivery moisture content, orientation, and rain exposure was systematically evaluated to define realistic moisture profiles at the end of the construction phase. Subsequent degradation assessments incorporated these profiles along with variations in insulation materials to evaluate the time of wetness, dose accumulation, and heat flux increases. Results indicate that a detailed moisture profile is essential for accurately predicting decay risk and that trade-offs exist between moisture management and thermal performance depending on the insulation used. These findings provide a framework for predicting decay risks in CLT assemblies and offer insights for designing more durable and energy-efficient structures. Full article

This study investigates the impact of China’s Collective Forest Tenure Reform (CFTR) on forest carbon sequestration efficiency and rural household income, two critical indicators of ecological sustainability and economic development. Using a difference-in-differences (DID) approach, the study analyzes data from 31 provinces between 1997 and 2014. The results indicate that CFTR significantly enhances forest carbon sequestration efficiency through land use optimization and industrial structure upgrading. Moreover, the reform positively influences rural household income by increasing timber yield and facilitating labor mobility. The study also explores the heterogeneity of these impacts across regions, income levels, carbon sequestration efficiency levels, and carbon trading pilot areas. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers aiming to balance ecological sustainability and economic growth through targeted forestry management strategies. Full article

With the intensification of global resource competition, the issue of timber supply has escalated from an economic concern to a significant strategic challenge. This study focuses on the evolution of disruption resilience in the global trade network for wood forest products, aiming to reveal the patterns of resilience dynamics under disruption risks by simulating underload cascading failure phenomena. The study provides theoretical support for enhancing the security and stability of the global wood forest product supply chain. Utilizing global trade data from the UN Comtrade Database 2023, a directed weighted complex network model was constructed, spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors, with trade intensity distances serving as edge weights. By developing an underload cascading failure model, the evolution of disruption resilience was simulated under various disruption scenarios from 2002 to 2023, and the long-term impacts of critical node failures on network performance were analyzed. The results demonstrate significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity in the disruption resilience of the global wood forest product trade network. The upstream network exhibits improved resilience in total node strength but reduced global efficiency. The midstream network shows marked volatility in resilience due to external shocks, such as the global financial crisis, while the downstream network remains relatively stable. Simulations reveal that failures in core nodes (e.g., China, the United States, and Germany) disproportionately degrade global efficiency and node strength, with node centrality metrics positively correlated with network performance loss. This study elucidates the evolutionary mechanisms of disruption resilience in the wood forest product trade network under risk propagation, offering actionable insights for optimizing network robustness and supply chain stability. It is recommended that policymakers promote green supply chain initiatives, accelerate afforestation projects, and enhance domestic timber self-sufficiency to reduce reliance on imported timber, thereby strengthening node resilience and fostering sustainable forest resource utilization for economic and environmental benefits. Full article

This study examines the provision of ecosystem services in natural mixed broadleaf forests located in the Hyrcanian region of Iran. These services include habitat conservation, soil preservation, timber production, and carbon storage (C-stock). The forests are managed under three different silvicultural methods: shelterwood, selection cutting, and protection, allowing for a comparative analysis of their impact on these critical services. The time since the last cutting operation varied among the forest stands. In the shelterwood stand, 25 years had passed since the previous operation, while in the selection cutting stand, it had been 13 years. In contrast, the protected stand had remained untouched by logging for the past 40 years. This presents a valuable opportunity to assess the effects of the recovery period and evaluate the extent of ecosystem service restoration. Additionally, it allows for determining whether these services have reached the levels observed in a protected forest. The results show that habitat conservation, soil preservation, and carbon stock (C-stock) values ranked as follows: protection > selection cutting > shelterwood. In contrast, timber production values were highest under selection cutting, followed by shelterwood, and lowest in protected areas. Furthermore, the Stand Structural Complexity Index (SCI) was greatest in protected stands, with selection cutting and shelterwood-managed stands ranking second and third, respectively. Similarly, species diversity indices, the abundance of large-diameter trees, and the volume of deadwood followed this same trend. These findings highlight a trade-off in forest management practices. While selection cutting and shelterwood management simplify stand structure to enhance timber production and maximize economic returns, they also lead to a significant reduction in other critical forest ecosystem services. Our findings further revealed that, even decades after the cessation of forest operations, the ecological value of previously managed forests remains substantially lower than that of protected forests. Moreover, the results demonstrate that a single silvicultural rotation period is insufficient to fully restore the ecological value of managed forests, regardless of whether they were subjected to selection cutting or shelterwood management practices. Full article

This study reports for the first time the fingerprinting extractives analysis of the indigenous wood species of Podocarpus totara from New Zealand, Eucalyptus saligna from Australia and Pinus radiata imported from California, USA and grown in New Zealand. We evaluated the use of analytical techniques for wood species discrimination. We compared the chemical fingerprinting of extractive compounds obtained using traditional chromatographic techniques with direct analysis in real-time–time of flight-mass spectrometry (DART-TOF-MS) with the auxiliary of chemometrics and principal component analysis. The traditional wet chemistry analysis of wood extracts provided a comprehensive characterisation of all extractive components. However, the more eco-friendly, sustainable and faster DART-TOF-MS technique effectively distinguished between wood species when heartwood and sapwood samples were combined. Notably, neither wet chemistry nor DART-TOF-MS could clearly differentiate between heartwood and sapwood within the same wood species. DART-TOF-MS analysis demonstrates potential as a reliable quality control tool for identifying wood species necessary in commercial and timber trading markets as well as for detecting the illicit trade of counterfeit wood products. Full article

In recent years, the demand for forest products has remained high, which, in turn, has intensified competition for timber exports. The Russian Far East is a region with one of the largest forest areas in the country; however, the competitiveness of the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD) in wood forest product exports remains an open question. The purpose of this study is to assess and compare the competitiveness of the timber industry in the FEFD using a comprehensive competitiveness index. In this study, international trade indices were calculated on the basis of export and import data on wood forest products. Then, the indices were weighted by the methods of entropy weight and coefficient of variation. Finally, the two methods were combined, and a comprehensive competitiveness index of the Russian region’s timber industry was derived. The results show that the FEFD maintains competitiveness in the wood processing industry. The calculation results for the competitiveness of the woodworking industry will help to strengthen the attractiveness of trade in the Far Eastern Federal District and will contribute to the strengthening of positions in the domestic market and the expansion of trade relations of the FEFD in the international market. All of this will form new trade chains, which, in turn, will have a positive impact on the economic development of both the region itself and the countries that have trade relations with the FEFD in the sphere of export and import of wood products. Full article