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Tree taper models characterize the change in diameter from the bottom to the top of a tree, thereby contributing to the estimation of tree volume. This paper examines the sensitivity of predictions of merchantable height defined as the tree height at a given top diameter inside bark (DIB) determined by the utilization standard, log production, and lumber recovery to the eight parameters in Kozak’s (1988) tree taper model. We found that predictions of merchantable height and log production were sensitive to two parameters, whereas predictions of the percentage of lumber recovery were sensitive to one parameter. Because the three measures examined in this study are not very sensitive to tree taper, especially the percentage of lumber recovery that is of most concern to the forest industry, together with the relatively small variations in tree taper parameters across Canada and the limited contribution of tree taper to characterizing the value of lumber recovery at the stand scale, one could infer that it may be possible to develop a single Canadian national softwood tree taper model for predicting forest product variables such as log production and percentage of lumber recovery from forest inventory.

This paper examines potential climate change impacts in North American timber markets. The results indicate that climate change could increase productivity in forests in North America, increase productivity in forests globally, and reduce timber prices. North American consumers generally will gain from the potential changes, but producers could lose welfare. If dieback resulting from additional forest fires, increased pest infestation, or storm damage increases appreciably and has market effects, consumers will gain less and producers will lose more than if climate change simply increases the annual flow of timber products by raising forest productivity. Annual producers' surplus losses from climate change in the North American timber sector are estimated to range from $1.4 – $2.1 billion per year on average over the next century, with the higher number resulting from potential large-scale dieback. Within North America, existing studies suggest that producers in northern regions are less susceptible to climate change impacts than producers in southern regions because many climate and ecological models suggest that climates become dryer in the U.S. South. Key words: climate change, impact analysis, timber markets, forest ecosystems

Chestnuts, Castanea mollissima Blume, are an important non-wood forest product in XinXian County, Henan Province, China. As part of an effort to improve capacity to reduce crop losses caused by insects and other damaging factors, a monitoring system was established in four orchards representing various ages, growing conditions and management practices. Monitoring consisted of periodic observations of the condition of chestnuts through a portion of the 2000 season on sample trees. Resulting data were summarized into life tables.The monitoring indicated that less than 50% of the chestnut burrs present on the trees in early July survived to harvest. Missing burrs were the highest cause of chestnut loss in three of the four orchards sampled. This may in part be the result of chestnut burrs aborting because of insect attack, spontaneous abortion or early maturation of chestnuts. Losses that could be directly attributed to insects ranged between 12.75 and 28.58%, caused mainly by several species of caterpillars that bore into chestnuts. Occurrence of "empty burrs" was roughly equal to insect damage levels in two orchards that did not receive a supplemental boron fertilizer treatment at the time of flowering.Based on monitoring data obtained during the 2000 growing season, opportunities to increase chestnut production in XinXian County include application of boron to increase nut set and development of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system with emphasis on management of lepidopterous borers. Key words: Chinese chestnut, Castanea mollissima, integrated pest management, life tables, insect pests, non-wood forest products

With a current yearly output of $241 million per year nontimber forest products (NTFP) contribute significantly to the welfare of rural and First Nations communities in Canada. Maple sap products, wild mushrooms and wild fruits are the most important NTFP for consumption both in Canada and abroad. However, because of increased access to international markets by entrepreneurs along with a growing international demand for NTFP it may be possible to double or triple Canada's harvest of NTFP. Further development of this industry should be associated with adequate training of harvesters in terms of NTFP biology in order to maximize profits while achieving biological sustainability. As well, research should emphasize the domestication of specific NTFP to meet growing demand, increase revenues and promote biodiversity conservation. Key words: forest economics, biodiversity, forest biology, nontimber forest products.

Supporters of forest and wood product certification are generally seeking to improve forest management and to ensure market access to forest products. Although wood products certification can be seen as an interesting marketing tool, it is doubtful whether it will improve forest management at the international level. Forest and wood product certification is already seen as a complementary tool to other existing instruments such as regulations and subsidies. However, a closer analysis shows that certification could be focused on the wrong countries, management units, scales of management, actors and problems to be potentially effective. This article aims to assess the possible impact of certification processes on the worldwide forest environment. The identification of possible limitations of forest product certification process could help to make that instrument more effective. Key words: forest certification, environmental impact

Introduction: Forces and Trends Until about ten years ago, the non-timber forest products (NTFP) industry in British Columbia was a minor part of the patchwork of rural and small-town economic life part subsistence, part recreation, part commerce and of little concern in the formulation of forest policy or the management of forest lands. During the past decade, however, a number of trends and developments have combined to focus increasing attention upon this industry, and, in particular, upon the role of First Nations in the use and protection of wild plants and their habitats. First, the current, and anticipated further, declines in timber harvesting and forest industry employment provide a strong incentive for land managers and forest workers to consider the economic potential of a wider variety of forest products and services. This reorientation is more strongly established in the Pacific Northwest United States, but is beginning to emerge in British Columbia. Unfortunately, this growing interest is only slowly being translated into efforts to better understand this "new" forest industry: (In the past) ... govemment and private land ownerslmanagers who saw little value to these plants ... (that is, non-timber species) ... have spent very little money conducting research about them. Due to a lack of research, we know very little about: life cycles, effects of harvesting, effects of fertilizing, importance in the microand macro-plant association communities, wild life uses, resistance to pests, genetic differences, seed zones, growth habits, effect on soil stability, responses to over-story management techniques, and product potentials (Freed 1996: 153). Workers displaced from traditional resource employment and recent immigrants have swelled the ranks of primarily parttime harvesters who once supplied the relatively modest markets for non-timber forest products. Large international markets are now well-established, and demand for "natural," ''wild,'' and ''organic7' foods, pharmaceuticals, landscaping materials, and craft items is growing rapidly and is generating continuing pressure for new products and new harvesting areas (Freed 1994, Savage 1995). The combined impact of these developments includes an accelerating potential for conflict among resource users, over-harvesting, dissipation of potential economic and employment benefits, and other long-term biological, social and economic consequences. For First Nations in British Columbia, a rapidly growing nontimber forest product industry presents both opportunities and problems. Although more than 70 per cent of Canadian reserves are located in the province, most are very small, with many amounting to only a few tens of acres Wtchell and Tennant 1994). Such a restricted land base has seriously hampered the ability of most First Nations to participate in the commercial forest sector and has also jeopardized access to traditional uses of forest resources in many parts of the province. The nego

This paper provides a historical account of the marketing of British Columbia softwood lumber, one of Canada's pioneering lumber exporting regions. History teaches lessons concerning cooperation, the necessity for market diversity, and understanding customers' perspectives. As customer orientation becomes increasingly important for lumber producers to maintain and/or improve their international competitive position, foresters need to become more aware of the international marketing of wood products. Understanding the history of marketing B.C. lumber products can provide the foundation for foresters to help plan future exporting accomplishments. Key words: lumber exporting, forest product marketing, forest history, British Columbia forest products

Recent concerns regarding non-timber forest product (NTFP) management are focused on raw material production. But NTFP ought to be viewed from the perspective of ecological processes, cultural heritage, livelihood of local people, economic values and incentives for forest management. This broader role for NTFP cannot be realised by simply domesticating a few species. Integration of NTFP in forest management is necessary in order to achieve sustainable forestry. Because forestry technologies are developed with timber values uppermost, it is vital to develop forest management technologies that take into account both timber and non-timber values. Global examples show that traditional knowledge could play a vital role while developing silvicultural regimes, and in situ experimentation will strengthen the regimes. Guidelines for ethnobotanical studies are briefly presented. Key words: cultural heritage, ecological processes, ethnosilviculture, livelihoods, non-timber forest product, sustainable forestry

A chain of custody provides a link between the forest of origin and the forest product at point of sale. Several systems have been proposed, strengths and weaknesses, problems and solutions are discussed.I will address two aspects of Chain of Custody.• What is it?• What benefits will it bring to Canadian forestry?Chain of Custody can be broadly defined as a system or way to provide a link between the Forest of Origin and a Forest Product at point of sale. Chain of Custody is usually associated with the broader subject of Forest Certification or Forest Product Certification. At least three types of approaches have been proposed. Each has its strengths and weaknesses.