The justification of plantation forestry in the tropics

Abstract

Almost all tropical countries do not produce enough forest products to meet their needs, despite having significant natural forests. This is explained by 1) a lack of industrial equipment to process the available material; 2) the inaccessibility of many tropical forests due to poor transportation systems; and 3) the low productivity of many tropical forests. Foresters have addressed these difficulties in various ways, either by conserving them until appropriate industries can be established (as in Mexico) or by creating plantations with fast-growing species in accessible areas. Once established, artificial forests have served as a catalyst for the establishment of forestry businesses and industries (as in New Zealand, Brazil, and South Africa).

Plantations replacing natural forests have several advantages, including providing uniform material, valuable wood, and higher yields. In East Africa, plantations have produced 11 times more usable wood; thus, more wood can be produced in small areas and natural forests can be used for more productive purposes. The biological aspect of such plantations is not disputed.