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Global Wood Products Industry
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Definition The global wood products industry trades pulp, paper, softwood, and hardwood products as well as providing for international forest-based tourism (e.g. redwoods). Globally, natural forests have been in transition to managed natural stands and to tree plantations. Sustainable forests will be better conserved as their services are more accurately priced: erosion control, humidification, carbon-sinks, biodiversity support, groundwater recharge, and flood control. Acid rain continues to hurt productivity. Global warming has caused insect outbreaks and fires that can harm the industry. Tree farms with fertilizers, fire management, and pesticides will increasingly become sources of wood supply. Technology has increased efficiency by use of "minor species" and composites. The structural and appearance quality of softwoods will continue to deteriorate. Trade conflicts, especially an all-Asian market that does not respect sustainable forestry, may be the major challenge. Recycling and green products certification will take some pressure off logging. Deconsumption of wood products by developed nations has been contentious. Local sustainable forestry must deal with these global wood products pressures. | |
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Keywords forests, forestry, wood products, chain-of-custody wood production, culture and wood, international trade, acid rain, plantations, tree farms, wood composites, paper recycling, post-consumer waste, wood recycling, green products, forest certification, U.N. Biosphere Reserves, ecotourism, boycotts, deconsumption, developing nations, developed nations, global/local issues, ecosystem services, biodiversity protection | |
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