Since 1946, FAO regularly monitors the world's forests through Global Forest Resources Assessments. The mandate to carry out these assessments stems both from the basic statutes of FAO and the Committee on Forestry (COFO). Divided into nine chapters, the publication covers the following topics: the extent of forest resources; biological diversity; forest health and vitality; productive functions of forest resources; protective functions of forest resources; socio-economic functions; progress towards sustainable forest management.

Building on data that is more comprehensive and reliable than ever before, covering 234 countries and territories, the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015 shows encouraging signs of improved forest management and a global slowdown in deforestation. However these trends need to be strengthened, especially in countries that are lagging behind.

Bamboo -- a major non-wood forest product -- is an ancient woody grass widely distributed in tropical, subtropical and mild temperate zones. It is an integral part of forestry, but is also widely spread outside forests, including farmlands, riverbanks, roadsides and urban areas. Bamboo is quickly changing its image from the "poor man's tree" to a high-tech, industrial raw material and substitute for wood. This study, prepared by FAO jointly with the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, is an initiative to incorporate bamboo into the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) program. A total of 22 countries responded to the FAO/INBAR call for information and submitted national reports. Although data availability and quality are often weak, the main value of the study is that it has established a systematic methodology and has launched the most comprehensive assessment of global bamboo resources to date.--Publisher's description.

Nearly three years ago, world leaders agreed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – the central framework for guiding development policies throughout the world. This edition of The State of the World’s Forests is aimed at enhancing our understanding of how forests and their sustainable management contribute to achieving several of the SDGs. Time is running out for the world’s forests: we need to work across sectors, bring stakeholders together, and take urgent action. The State of the World’s Forests 2018 identifies actions that can be taken to increase the contributions of forests and trees that are necessary to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. It is now critical that steps be taken to work more effectively with the private sector, and the informal forest sector must be transformed in order to bring broader economic, social and environmental benefits. Seventy years ago, when FAO completed its first assessment of the world’s forest resources, the major concern was whether there would be enough timber to supply global demand; now we recognize the greater global relevance of our forests and trees. For the first time, The State of the World’s Forests 2018 provides an assessment of the contribution of forests and trees to our landscapes and livelihoods. The purpose of this publication is to provide a much wider audience with an understanding of why forests and trees matter for people, the planet and posterity.

Published biennially, this title offers a global view of major developments affecting forests. It places more emphasis on the 'demand side': What will be the impact on forests of future increases in global population, economic development and globalization? "State of the World's Forests", published biennially, provides a global view of major developments affecting forests. The theme for the 2009 edition is 'Society, forests and forestry: adapting for the future'. The 2007 issue reviewed 'Progress towards sustainable forest management' with an emphasis on the 'supply side', in particular forest resources. "State of the World's Forests 2009" places more emphasis on the 'demand side': What will be the impact on forests of future increases in global population, economic development and globalization? Is the explosion in global trade having positive or negative effects on the world's forests? Will the forest sector continue to have a major role in providing livelihoods for rural communities? This eighth edition looks forward. Part One summarizes the outlook for forests and forestry in each region of the world. FAO periodically carries out regional forest sector outlook studies in collaboration with countries and organizations in each region. The results of studies for all regions are summarized and presented here for the first time in a single publication. A main pattern that emerges is a strong correlation between economic development and the state of forests. Countries that are undergoing rapid economic growth tend to struggle with immense pressures on their forests. In contrast, regions that have already achieved a high level of economic development are usually able to stabilize or increase their forest area. However, the factors affecting forests are numerous and complex, making it difficult to draw simple conclusions or to make reliable projections. Part Two considers how forestry will have to adapt for the future. It begins with a global outlook for wood products demand to 2030, noting changing patterns in production, consumption and trade. Next, a chapter on environmental services of forests probes the various market and non-market mechanisms evolving to help forests and trees fulfill their environmental service functions of land, water and biodiversity protection, carbon storage and others. A look at progress in institutional adaptation notes that many forestry institutions are having difficulty in adapting to rapid changes in communications, globalisation and society's expectations. Those institutions that are willing and able to adapt are more likely to be successful in the future. Finally, Part Two examines developments in science and technology, which will continue to have an enormous impact on the future of forests and forestry. Imagine a world in which trees are a major source of fuel for cars, replacing oil. Only a few years ago this seemed like fantasy, but today the possibility must be seriously considered.

Trees outside forests (including fruit trees, trees in parks, fields, those growing in the wild and as amenities), together with forests and other woodlands, contribute to the structure of the landscape, generate numerous environmental and social services, and yield important food, drink and fuel products as well as meeting other domestic needs of urban and rural populations. However, trees outside forests are not well documented and receive little attention in the formulation of national forestry policy and planning. This publication seeks to fill this gap, by providing information on the role of these resources and options for their integration in territorial management policies.

The publication was prepared based on information provided by 86 countries, outcomes from regional and subregional consultations and commissioned thematic studies. It includes: •an overview of definitions and concepts related to Forest Genetic Resources (FGR) and a review of their value; •a description of the main drivers of changes; •the presentation of key emerging technologies; •an analysis of the current status of FGR conservation, use and related developments; •recommendations addressing the challenges and needs. By the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.