ABSTRACT
Forest economics and policy research is an especially important activity within the nation’s forestry community. The number of organizations supporting or conducting such research is significant as are the number of researchers applying assorted principles of economics and policy. In addition to being rooted in the fundamental discipline of economics, forest economics research is a component of a larger set of activities known as forestry research. Describing organizational issues of forest economics research without putting them into the broader context of forestry research would not be useful. The conduct of forest economics research in the United States is a highly decentralized enterprise. This operating style puts a premium on research planning and coordination. National-level research planning and coordination activities are necessary to help assure that research is being directed toward important problems and that the appropriate balance among disciplines is struck. Substantive coordination within specific disciplines comes about via interactions among researchers.
