Plantation Forestry in the Tropics

Abstract Development of planted forests in tropical and subtropical countries is accelerating to satisfy the ever-growing global demands for wood products. Indeed, it is expected that within 20 years half of all wood fibre in the world will be sourced from plantations, of which more than half are in the tropics and subtropics. As well as intensively-managed, industrial wood plantations, trees are increasingly being planted as part of farming systems, and to control erosion and rehabilitate degraded lands and forests. Active community involvement in tree planting as part of rural development is now widespread and welcome. This book provides an overview that sets plantation silviculture in the wider context of the development processes and their social, environmental and ecological impacts. For this new edition, the structure and approach of previous editions have been retained but every chapter has been comprehensively revised and updated. Two new chapters -‘clonal forestry’ and ‘ecological restoration’ have been added. The central theme remains the silviculture that underpins successful industrial planted forests. Overall the book provides an up-to-date account of silvicultural practices, some of the socio-economic essentials and the key role tree planting now plays in natural resource management and improving rural livelihoods in the tropics. Contemporary issues such as full stakeholder participation and sustainable management practices in planted forests are also addressed. This expanded third edition provides a comprehensive introduction to plantation forestry practices in the tropics as part of sustainable land use. Both the historical context and recent developments are presented so that students, professional foresters, development specialists, and all with an interest in tropical forest management will find this a valuable reference text.