ABSTRACT
Forest plantations now cover about 140 million hectares (Mha) globally, representing about 4 per cent of the global forest area (FAO, 2005a). In terms of wood production, plantations are much more important than their share of the forest area indicates, and their importance is expected to increase with time. In 2000, plantations supplied one-third of the total demand for industrial roundwood. According to some estimates, approximately half of the global industrial roundwood supply will be provided by plantations and planted forests by the year 2040.
