《世界森林概况》（英文版） STATE OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS.pdf_大学文库

Foreword he State of the World's Forests reports every two years on the status of forests, recent major policy and institutional developments and key issues concerning the forest sector. This is the fourth edition of the publication, the purpose of which is to make current, reliable and policy-relevant information widely available to polic makers, foresters and other natural resource managers, academics, forest industry and civil society. Our hope is that it will facilitate informed discussion and decision making with regard to the world,s forests As we approach the benchmark year of 2002, the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), it is an opportune moment to take stock of the progress made over the past decade. UNCED sparked a decade of change, characterized by new thinking and fresh approaches to forest management, as well as questioning as to what its objectives should be and who the neficiaries should be. A vision of sustainable forest management emerged, commitment was strengthened and innovative alliances forged with the aim of achieving common goals in forestry. Over the past ten years, the sector has moved in two seemingly opposite directions simultaneously, towards"localization", on the one hand, and"globalization", on the other. At the national level, forest planning processes, policies, legislation and field programmes have taken on new emphases, including increased decentralization and participation. Internationally it has been a time of intense debate with discussion over the past five years resulting in agreement on several proposals for action, including -very recently- the establishment of an international arrangement promote the sustainable management, conservation and development of all typ forest, to strengthen long-term political commitment and to promote the implementation of the proposals for action. At the technical level, a wide variety of intermational initiatives on forests have been launched through various mechanisms, and regional cooperation in forest-related issues has been strengthened The State of the Worlds Forests 2001 examines these developments, focusing mainly on the past two years. Part I provides an overview, briefly highlighting some of the recent key developments in the sector. Part II comprises four chapters, each focusing on a selected topical issue that merits an in-depth review. The first reports on the findings of the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000, the most recent and omprehensive assessment of the status and trends of forest resources worldwide; the second chapter discusses climate change and forests, a topic of particular interest that stems from concern about possible climate-induced changes and from the recent gotiations on the Kyoto Protocol. The conservation of forest biological diversity in protected areas- the topic of the third chapter- is an area that has developed and

iii The State of the World’s Forests reports every two years on the status of forests, recent major policy and institutional developments and key issues concerning the forest sector. This is the fourth edition of the publication, the purpose of which is to make current, reliable and policy-relevant information widely available to policymakers, foresters and other natural resource managers, academics, forest industry and civil society. Our hope is that it will facilitate informed discussion and decisionmaking with regard to the world’s forests. As we approach the benchmark year of 2002, the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), it is an opportune moment to take stock of the progress made over the past decade. UNCED sparked a decade of change, characterized by new thinking and fresh approaches to forest management, as well as questioning as to what its objectives should be and who the beneficiaries should be. A vision of sustainable forest management emerged, commitment was strengthened and innovative alliances forged with the aim of achieving common goals in forestry. Over the past ten years, the sector has moved in two seemingly opposite directions simultaneously, towards “localization”, on the one hand, and “globalization”, on the other. At the national level, forest planning processes, policies, legislation and field programmes have taken on new emphases, including increased decentralization and participation. Internationally, it has been a time of intense debate, with discussions over the past five years resulting in agreement on several proposals for action, including – very recently – the establishment of an international arrangement to promote the sustainable management, conservation and development of all types of forest, to strengthen long-term political commitment and to promote the implementation of the proposals for action. At the technical level, a wide variety of international initiatives on forests have been launched through various mechanisms, and regional cooperation in forest-related issues has been strengthened. The State of the World’s Forests 2001 examines these developments, focusing mainly on the past two years. Part I provides an overview, briefly highlighting some of the recent key developments in the sector. Part II comprises four chapters, each focusing on a selected topical issue that merits an in-depth review. The first reports on the findings of the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000, the most recent and comprehensive assessment of the status and trends of forest resources worldwide; the second chapter discusses climate change and forests, a topic of particular interest that stems from concern about possible climate-induced changes and from the recent negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol. The conservation of forest biological diversity in protected areas – the topic of the third chapter – is an area that has developed and Foreword

Acknowledgements he State of the World's forests 2001 would not exist without the contributions and efforts of many people, both within and outside FAO Overall coordination and editing of the publication was carried out by S M. Braatz. The following FAO staff and consultants were involved in collecting data, drafting sections or reviewing the document: G. Allard, J. Ball, E. Borzillo, J. Bourke, C. Eckelmann, M H. El-Lakany, T. Frisk, S. Hald, S. Hirai, T. Hofer, P. Holmgrei F C. Brown, C M. Carneiro, F. Castaneda, C. D'Ricco, R. Davis, A. del lungo P dur W. Killmann, D. Kneeland, P Kone, M. Laverdiere, A. Lengyel, L. Ljungman, J. Lorbach. P Lowe. M. Martin. D McGuire. A. Mekouar. T michaelsen C.TS. Nair J. Nichols, F Padovani, C. Palmberg-Lerche, M. Paveri, E. Pepke, D. Reeb, E.H. Sene, O Serrano, P Sigaud, H. Simons, X. Soto, O. Souvannavong, D. Suparmo K. Thelen, P. Vantomme, K. Warner, A Whiteman, M L. Wilkie, D. Williamson and A. Yanchuk. The members of the Internal Advisory Committee provided essential technical oversight in planning and reviewing the document: J. Ball, J. Bourke, S Dembner, D Kneeland, C.T.S. Nair, M. Paveri, P Sigaud, P. Vantomme, K. Warner and D. williamson A number of outside collaborators contributed various pieces: R. Mutch(United States)and J.G. Goldammer(Global Fire Monitoring Centre, Freiburg Universit Germany) provided the material on forest fires in Part I. J.-P. Lanly(Conseil general du genie Rural des Eaux et des Forets, French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries) contributed Box 2, The impact of storms on the forests in France C. Prins (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Trade Division) provided the material on the forest assessment of temperate and boreal forests in the chapter on the global Forest Resources assessment 2000 in Part IL. D. Peck (Ramsar Convention Secretariat) contributed information related to the ramsar Convention. S. Johnson (International Tropical Timber Organization) contributed the piece on the Year 2000 Objective in Part IlL. A. Hellier, W. McGhee, R. Tipper P. Meir(University of Edinburgh) contributed the piece on global climate change and forestry in Part IL. This piece is an output from a research project partly funded by the United Kingdom Department for Internationa Development (DFID)for the benefit of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the DFID R7274 Forestry Research Programme A. Contreras-Hermosilla(consultant) provided the chapter on illegal activities and corruption in the forest sector in Part IL. C. Saint-Laurent (World Conservation Union and World Wide Fund for Nature International) provided the section on the role of non-governmental organizations(NGOs) in the international discussion and initiatives on forests in part Ill

vii The State of the World’s Forests 2001 would not exist without the contributions and efforts of many people, both within and outside FAO. Overall coordination and editing of the publication was carried out by S.M. Braatz. The following FAO staff and consultants were involved in collecting data, drafting sections or reviewing the document: G. Allard, J. Ball, E. Borzillo, J. Bourke, C. Brown, C.M. Carneiro, F. Castañeda, C. D’Ricco, R. Davis, A. del Lungo, P. Durst, C. Eckelmann, M.H. El-Lakany, T. Frisk, S. Hald, S. Hirai, T. Hofer, P. Holmgren, W. Killmann, D. Kneeland, P. Koné, M. Laverdière, A. Lengyel, L. Ljungman, J. Lorbach, P. Lowe, M. Martin, D. McGuire, A. Mekouar, T. Michaelsen, C.T.S. Nair, J. Nichols, F. Padovani, C. Palmberg-Lerche, M. Paveri, E. Pepke, D. Reeb, E.H. Sène, O. Serrano, P. Sigaud, H. Simons, X. Soto, O. Souvannavong, D. Suparmo, K. Thelen, P. Vantomme, K. Warner, A. Whiteman, M.L. Wilkie, D. Williamson and A. Yanchuk. The members of the Internal Advisory Committee provided essential technical oversight in planning and reviewing the document: J. Ball, J. Bourke, S. Dembner, D. Kneeland, C.T.S. Nair, M. Paveri, P. Sigaud, P. Vantomme, K. Warner and D. Williamson. A number of outside collaborators contributed various pieces: R. Mutch (United States) and J.G. Goldammer (Global Fire Monitoring Centre, Freiburg University, Germany) provided the material on forest fires in Part I. J.-P. Lanly (Conseil Général du Génie Rural des Eaux et des Forêts, French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries) contributed Box 2, The impact of storms on the forests in France. C. Prins (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Trade Division) provided the material on the forest assessment of temperate and boreal forests in the chapter on the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 in Part II. D. Peck (Ramsar Convention Secretariat) contributed information related to the Ramsar Convention. S. Johnson (International Tropical Timber Organization) contributed the piece on the Year 2000 Objective in Part III. A. Hellier, W. McGhee, R. Tipper and J. Mayhew (Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management) and Y. Malhi and P. Meir (University of Edinburgh) contributed the piece on global climate change and forestry in Part II. This piece is an output from a research project partly funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) for the benefit of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the DFID R7274 Forestry Research Programme. A. Contreras-Hermosilla (consultant) provided the chapter on illegal activities and corruption in the forest sector in Part II. C. Saint-Laurent (World Conservation Union and World Wide Fund for Nature International) provided the section on the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the international discussion and initiatives on forests in Part III. Acknowledgements

EXecutive summary A Most ten years ago in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, can be avoided or minimized by sound forest an international commitment was made at planning and management, whereas the effects of the United Nations Conference on Environment others, such as natural disasters, can be mitigated and Development(UNCED) to work towards the by contingency planning. The State of the Worlds sustainable management, conservation and Forests 2001 discusses two recent causes of forest development of all types of forests. UNCED, also damage: severe wildfires in various parts of the referred to as the rio Conference served to world and the december 1999 windstorms in catalyse debate and action on forests -redefining Europe. Commercial harvesting of bushmeat-a for what, and for whom, forests are managed; threat to forest-based wildlife-is also discussed. developing a vision of sustainable forest While wildfires in the 1999-2000 period were management as well as strengthening not as widespread or devastating as those in commitment to its implementation and practice; 1997-1998, severe fires occurred in the western and forging new and untraditional alliances as a United States, Ethiopia, the eastern Mediterranean means of achieving common goals in forestry. and Indonesia. The fires of the past four years The State of the Worlds Forests 2001 highlights have raised public awareness and concern about significant developments related to forests, many wildfires, catalysed national policy responses and of which can be traced back to UNCED or even mobilized regional and international initiatives for before, while others are driven by more recent fire prevention, early warning, detection and economic, social or political trends and events. control. The links between fires and land use hile the route to sustainable policies and practices are now better understood. management is challenging and progress is not as Community-based fire management projects have rapid as some might wish, the path is now been launched in many countries and policies of clearer and we are indeed moving ahead fire exclusion in fire-dependent ecosystems have been reassessed in some countries FOREST RESOURCES: COVER AND CONDITION There are an estimated 3 870 million ha of forest Policies and practices for fire prevention worldwide, of which almost 95 percent are natural Continued emphasis on emergency response will not forests and 5 percent are forest plantations prevent large and damaging fires in the future. The Tropical deforestation and degradation of forests way out of the emergency response trap is to couple in many parts of the world are negatively affecting the availability of forest goods and emergency preparedness and response programmes with more sustainable land use policies and practices services. While forest area in developed countries has stabilized and is slightly increasing overall, deforestation has continued in developing countries. The estimated net annual change in The storms that struck Europe in December forest area worldwide during the past decade 1999 caused massive damage to forests and trees (1990-2000) was-9.4 million ha, representing the outside forests, seriously affected many people's difference between the estimated annual rate of elihoods and disrupted forest industries and deforestation of 14.6 million ha and the estimated markets. The total damage in Europe represented annual rate of forest area increase of 5.2 million ha. six months of the regions normal harvest while, The causes of forest degradation are varied. some coull ntries, the equivalent of several years ome, such as overexploitation of forest products, harvest was blown down. Governments acted

ix Almost ten years ago in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an international commitment was made at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) to work towards the sustainable management, conservation and development of all types of forests. UNCED, also referred to as the Rio Conference, served to catalyse debate and action on forests – redefining for what, and for whom, forests are managed; developing a vision of sustainable forest management as well as strengthening commitment to its implementation and practice; and forging new and untraditional alliances as a means of achieving common goals in forestry. The State of the World’s Forests 2001 highlights significant developments related to forests, many of which can be traced back to UNCED or even before, while others are driven by more recent economic, social or political trends and events. While the route to sustainable forest management is challenging and progress is not as rapid as some might wish, the path is now clearer and we are indeed moving ahead. FOREST RESOURCES: COVER AND CONDITION There are an estimated 3 870 million ha of forest worldwide, of which almost 95 percent are natural forests and 5 percent are forest plantations. Tropical deforestation and degradation of forests in many parts of the world are negatively affecting the availability of forest goods and services. While forest area in developed countries has stabilized and is slightly increasing overall, deforestation has continued in developing countries. The estimated net annual change in forest area worldwide during the past decade (1990-2000) was -9.4 million ha, representing the difference between the estimated annual rate of deforestation of 14.6 million ha and the estimated annual rate of forest area increase of 5.2 million ha. The causes of forest degradation are varied. Some, such as overexploitation of forest products, Executive summary can be avoided or minimized by sound forest planning and management, whereas the effects of others, such as natural disasters, can be mitigated by contingency planning. The State of the World’s Forests 2001 discusses two recent causes of forest damage: severe wildfires in various parts of the world and the December 1999 windstorms in Europe. Commercial harvesting of bushmeat – a threat to forest-based wildlife – is also discussed. While wildfires in the 1999-2000 period were not as widespread or devastating as those in 1997-1998, severe fires occurred in the western United States, Ethiopia, the eastern Mediterranean and Indonesia. The fires of the past four years have raised public awareness and concern about wildfires, catalysed national policy responses and mobilized regional and international initiatives for fire prevention, early warning, detection and control. The links between fires and land use policies and practices are now better understood. Community-based fire management projects have been launched in many countries and policies of fire exclusion in fire-dependent ecosystems have been reassessed in some countries. Policies and practices for fire prevention Continued emphasis on emergency response will not prevent large and damaging fires in the future. The way out of the emergency response trap is to couple emergency preparedness and response programmes with more sustainable land use policies and practices. The storms that struck Europe in December 1999 caused massive damage to forests and trees outside forests, seriously affected many people’s livelihoods and disrupted forest industries and markets. The total damage in Europe represented six months of the region’s normal harvest while, in some countries, the equivalent of several years’ harvest was blown down. Governments acted

quickly and effectively to lessen the negative environmental, economic and social impacts. Changes in forest establishment and management Plantation development measures have been proposed in many countries planning for the future to reduce the potential risk of storm damage in Future increases in demand for wood are predicted to the future be met largely by forest plantations. Proper planning The depletion of forest-based wildlife as a result and management are needed to ensure that there are of the commercial harvesting of bushmeat is of no associated negative environmental and social growing concern. Unsustainable bushmeat trade is a serious problem in many regions, but it has reached crisis dimensions in parts of tropical Africa, where many species of primates and Traditional biotechnologies have long been used antelopes, among others, are threatened. This effectively to increase the productivity of forest ifficult problem is being tackled by non- plantations. While many applications of governmental organization(NGO) efforts as well biotechnology in forestry are uncontroversial, the as government initiatives and is being addressed debate on the use of genetically modified at the international level by the Convention on organisms is now involving the forest sector. International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Genetic modification of forest tree species has Fauna and Flora(cites) been considered for such traits as virus and insect resistance, reduced lignin content and MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION herbicide tolerance. There is no reported AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT commercial production of transgenic forest trees, OF FOREST RESOURCES but field trials are under way in several The State of the Worlds Forests 2001 highlights some countries. The application of new biotechnologies of the recent technical, policy and institutional offers potential opportunities, but caution is measures to improve forest management and called for in their use in long-term conservation conservation, reflecting the move to balance social, and breeding programmes and plantations economic and environmental objectives. These This issue of the state of the world's forests include efforts to reduce timber harvesting in discusses two recent and very different approaches natural forests and to develop alternative sources to improving forest management in productiol of industrial wood, improved harvesting practices, forests: the adoption of environmentally sound the reduction of illegal forest activities and forest harvesting practices-or reduced impact increased community-based forest management. logging(RIL)-and restrictions or bans on There is a global trend towards greater reliance logging. RIL has proven environmental on plantations as a source of industrial wood. advantages over traditional logging methods, and The development of a significant global there is evidence to suggest that the higher plantation estate is quite recent; half of all operational costs of RIl are offset by financial plantations in the world are less than 15 years gains. Despite these promising findings, RIL is not old. Asia has led plantation establishment yet widely practised. Its widespread adoption will globally; as of 2000, about 62 percent of all forest depend on the demonstration of its financial plantations were located in that region. Other viability under a wide range of conditions and the significant developments include: rising private assurance that forest owners and/or managers sector investment in plantations in developing will be able to realize these benefits. countries: increasing foreign investments in Many countries have recently plantations; and an expansion of outgrower restrictions on timber harvesting, either in an schemes -or arrangements whereby attempt to conserve their forest resources or as a communities or small landowners produce trees response to devastating natural calamities(e.g for sale to private companies landslides and flooding) that are attributed, rightly

x quickly and effectively to lessen the negative environmental, economic and social impacts. Changes in forest establishment and management measures have been proposed in many countries to reduce the potential risk of storm damage in the future. The depletion of forest-based wildlife as a result of the commercial harvesting of bushmeat is of growing concern. Unsustainable bushmeat trade is a serious problem in many regions, but it has reached crisis dimensions in parts of tropical Africa, where many species of primates and antelopes, among others, are threatened. This difficult problem is being tackled by nongovernmental organization (NGO) efforts as well as government initiatives and is being addressed at the international level by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). MANAGEMENT, CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF FOREST RESOURCES The State of the World’s Forests 2001 highlights some of the recent technical, policy and institutional measures to improve forest management and conservation, reflecting the move to balance social, economic and environmental objectives. These include efforts to reduce timber harvesting in natural forests and to develop alternative sources of industrial wood, improved harvesting practices, the reduction of illegal forest activities and increased community-based forest management. There is a global trend towards greater reliance on plantations as a source of industrial wood. The development of a significant global plantation estate is quite recent; half of all plantations in the world are less than 15 years old. Asia has led plantation establishment globally; as of 2000, about 62 percent of all forest plantations were located in that region. Other significant developments include: rising private sector investment in plantations in developing countries; increasing foreign investments in plantations; and an expansion of outgrower schemes – or arrangements whereby communities or small landowners produce trees for sale to private companies. Plantation development: planning for the future Future increases in demand for wood are predicted to be met largely by forest plantations. Proper planning and management are needed to ensure that there are no associated negative environmental and social impacts. Traditional biotechnologies have long been used effectively to increase the productivity of forest plantations. While many applications of biotechnology in forestry are uncontroversial, the debate on the use of genetically modified organisms is now involving the forest sector. Genetic modification of forest tree species has been considered for such traits as virus and insect resistance, reduced lignin content and herbicide tolerance. There is no reported commercial production of transgenic forest trees, but field trials are under way in several countries. The application of new biotechnologies offers potential opportunities, but caution is called for in their use in long-term conservation and breeding programmes and plantations. This issue of the State of the World’s Forests discusses two recent and very different approaches to improving forest management in production forests: the adoption of environmentally sound forest harvesting practices – or reduced impact logging (RIL) – and restrictions or bans on logging. RIL has proven environmental advantages over traditional logging methods, and there is evidence to suggest that the higher operational costs of RIL are offset by financial gains. Despite these promising findings, RIL is not yet widely practised. Its widespread adoption will depend on the demonstration of its financial viability under a wide range of conditions and the assurance that forest owners and/or managers will be able to realize these benefits. Many countries have recently imposed bans or restrictions on timber harvesting, either in an attempt to conserve their forest resources or as a response to devastating natural calamities (e.g. landslides and flooding) that are attributed, rightly

or wrongly, to excessive commercial logging. The The involvement of communities in forest impacts of the bans and restrictions have been management is now a significant feature of variable. In some countries, they have contributed national forest policies and programmes to the conservation of natural forests. In other throughout the world. Many national forest they have negatively affected the forest sector and agencies are undergoing decentralization, local communities or have simply transferred the restructuring and downsizing-with mixed problem of overharvesting to other countries. results. Faced with inadequate financial and Experience to date points to certain prerequisites human resources, governments are increasingly that appear to be necessary for success: clear ning to local communities for assistance in bjectives, based on an understanding of the protecting and managing state-owned forests. This causes of forest degradation; adequate polici cies; year's issue highlights some features of strong political will; and sufficient resources to community-based management, comparing the cover the short- to medium-term costs involved. approach used in South Asia with a more recent approach emerging in Africa. FOREST GOODS AND SERVICES Considering the effects of logging bans One of the greatest challenges facing the forest The tendency has been for logging bans to be politi- sector today is the need to reconcile the conflicting cally driven and impulsively imposed. The decision demands of different stakeholders for the many to use bans should be based on a thorough analysis of the Worlds Forests 2001 focuses on one forest their potential effects and of altemative means of roduct- industrial wood -and two achieving the same results environmental services- the mitigation of climate change and the conservation of biological diversity Increasing attention is being paid to institutional and governance issues, as technical measures alone have proved insufficient to achieve sustainable Major forest goods and services forest management. The State of the World s Forests Industrial wood Woodfuel 2001 focuses on two of these: illegal forest activities and community-based forest management Non-wood forest products Worldwide, there is a growing awareness of th Soil and water conservation extent of illegal forest activities, including Biological diversity conservation corruption, and of the immense financial Mitigation of climate change environmental and social costs that such activities Support to agricultural systems incur. Corruption, considered a taboo subject unt very recently, is now openly discussed in majo Provision of recreational opportunities otection of natural and cultural heritage intermational fora and is being actively tackled by governments, NGOs, the private sector and intermational organizations. Elements in the fight against crime and corruption include strengthened The past two-year period was marked by the monitoring and enforcement systems, increased nerally good recovery of global demand for transparency in decision-making, simpler laws and industrial wood after the sharp drop in 1997-1998 more severe punishment. Some governments, with caused by the Asian economic crisis. The effects the support of NGOs and relevant private sector the crisis, although disruptive, were less severe institutions, have made significant efforts to and long-lasting than originally feared. Production combat illegal activities and corruption in the of tropical wood products, however, has remained below earlier levels. and some asian countries

xi or wrongly, to excessive commercial logging. The impacts of the bans and restrictions have been variable. In some countries, they have contributed to the conservation of natural forests. In others, they have negatively affected the forest sector and local communities or have simply transferred the problem of overharvesting to other countries. Experience to date points to certain prerequisites that appear to be necessary for success: clear objectives, based on an understanding of the causes of forest degradation; adequate policies; strong political will; and sufficient resources to cover the short- to medium-term costs involved. The involvement of communities in forest management is now a significant feature of national forest policies and programmes throughout the world. Many national forest agencies are undergoing decentralization, restructuring and downsizing – with mixed results. Faced with inadequate financial and human resources, governments are increasingly turning to local communities for assistance in protecting and managing state-owned forests. This year’s issue highlights some features of community-based management, comparing the approach used in South Asia with a more recent approach emerging in Africa. FOREST GOODS AND SERVICES One of the greatest challenges facing the forest sector today is the need to reconcile the conflicting demands of different stakeholders for the many goods and services provided by forests. The State of the World’s Forests 2001 focuses on one forest product – industrial wood – and two environmental services – the mitigation of climate change and the conservation of biological diversity. Considering the effects of logging bans The tendency has been for logging bans to be politically driven and impulsively imposed. The decision to use bans should be based on a thorough analysis of their potential effects and of alternative means of achieving the same results. Increasing attention is being paid to institutional and governance issues, as technical measures alone have proved insufficient to achieve sustainable forest management. The State of the World’s Forests 2001 focuses on two of these: illegal forest activities and community-based forest management. Worldwide, there is a growing awareness of the extent of illegal forest activities, including corruption, and of the immense financial, environmental and social costs that such activities incur. Corruption, considered a taboo subject until very recently, is now openly discussed in major international fora and is being actively tackled by governments, NGOs, the private sector and international organizations. Elements in the fight against crime and corruption include strengthened monitoring and enforcement systems, increased transparency in decision-making, simpler laws and more severe punishment. Some governments, with the support of NGOs and relevant private sector institutions, have made significant efforts to combat illegal activities and corruption in the forest sector. Major forest goods and services Industrial wood Woodfuel Non-wood forest products Soil and water conservation Biological diversity conservation Mitigation of climate change Support to agricultural systems Employment generation Provision of recreational opportunities Protection of natural and cultural heritage The past two-year period was marked by the generally good recovery of global demand for industrial wood after the sharp drop in 1997-1998 caused by the Asian economic crisis. The effects of the crisis, although disruptive, were less severe and long-lasting than originally feared. Production of tropical wood products, however, has remained below earlier levels, and some Asian countries