Future Challenge: A Paradigm Shift in the Forestry Sector - Smallholder Tree Growing for Rural Development and Environmental Services - page 441

Table 21.4 Trends in various forest management variables in South and Southeast Asia (FAO
2006)
Variables S and SE ASIA (regional)

Annual change 1990-2005

% Unit Unit Data

availability a

Extent of forest resources
Area of forest −0.12 −2,669 '000 ha H

Growing stock of forest −2,01 −560 million m 3 H

Carbon stock in forest biomass −2,69 −10,5 Gt H

Biological diversity
Area of primary forest −2.08 −1,508 '000 ha H

Area of forest primarily
for biodiversity conservation 1.37 704 '000 ha H

Total forest area b 0.80 1,113 '000 ha H

Forest health and vitality
Fire-affected forest area c 0.88 93 '000 ha H

Disease affected forest area c 3.22 1.9 '000 ha L

Insect affected forest area c 2.25 0.2 '000 ha L

Area forest affected by other c −2.50 n.s. L

Productive functions
Area of forest primarily
for production −0.55 −683 '000 ha H

Area of productive forest
plantations 1.92 195 '000 ha H

Commercial growing stock −3,05 −303 '000 ha M

Total wood removals −2.03 −3,666 '000 ha H

Total NWFP removals n.a. n.a. tonnes L

Protective functions
Area of forest primarily for protection 0.19 112 '000 ha H

Area of protective forest plantations 1.46 63 '000 ha H

Socio-economic functions
Forest area under
private ownership c 2.68 205 '000 ha H

Forest area primarily
for social services 0.79 1.2 '000 ha H
M = the countries reporting data on variable represent together 50-75 percent of total forest area
L = the countries reporting data on variable represent together 25-50 percent of total forest area
a H = the countries reporting data on variable represent together 75-100 percent of total forest area
b total area of forest designated for conservation of biodiversity
c the data on annual change represent the period 1990-2000

Within South and Southeast Asia, there is a trend towards lower trade of unproc-
essed (or partially processed) forest products such as industrial roundwood and
sawnwood (see Table 21.3) and a higher production and trade of processed forest
products such as wood-based panels, paper and paperboard. Yet, the demand for all
forest products, whether processed or not, is significant - and is projected to remain
so, or even increase, from the local to international levels; with a growing number
of countries being unable to meet their domestic demands. This projection stresses