Forest industries represent an important segment of the Soviet economy, accounting for five percent of the total industrial output and providing essential materials for other key industries. This book, the first in-depth study of Soviet forestry in the English language, looks at the organizational, planning, economic, and technological aspects of the industry. Mr. Blandon first discusses labor force trends and geographical features of the country's forest resources, then assesses the forest industry's modernization program. He analyzes the past performance of capital investment in the industry and makes projections about the effects of future investments in order to estimate the Soviet Union's future timber output. Throughout the book considerable attention is devoted to the Soviet planning system and its influence on decision making.

In analysing the development and achievements of Polish forestry and forest industries over the last four decades, it is necessary to take into consideration the situation prevailing after the end of the Second World War, when these sectors of the national economy were starting their activities. First of all, it is necessary to consider the effects of the war such as: (a) the harvesting from the forests of the present Polish territory of 3 about 200 million m of merchantable wood, which is equal to the normal harvest over a l2-year period; (b) the destruction of over half the woodworking industrial potential. In consequence, the forested area inside the new Polish boundaries amounted 40 years ago only to 20.8 per cent of the whole area of the country. There has been a continuing process of increasing the forested area of the country (although at a diminishing rate). In 1986 the forest area amounted to 27.7 per cent of the land surface, that is to 8.7 million ha, an increase of over 2 million ha in 40 years. Intensive afforestation, performed regardless of the ownership category of the land by the State forest service, was aimed primarily at making good the losses in the forested area and the rational use of land not fit for agricultural purposes.

Describes the history and formation of Russian forest policy, legislation, and management from the 8th century to the present time. The beginning of forest science in Russia is described. Advances in soil science, forest ecology, valuation, organization, and management, and the theory of forest use over historical time are discussed. Contributions of influential Russian leaders are described by field and time period. Russian forests comprise 22% of the world's total forests and over half of the world's coniferous forest area and world coniferous growing stock. Illustrated with historical photographs.

Boreal forests form Earth's largest terrestrial biome. They are rich in ecosystem and landscape diversity, though characterized by relatively few plant species, as compared to other forested regions. The long term viability and sustainability of boreal forests is influenced by many factors. They are subject to interruptions at intervals by large-scale natural disturbances, and increasingly by human activities. Boreal ecosystem development is typically a slow process; hence rapid changes in the global environment may invoke complex responses. Many industrial nations border, or lie within, boreal regions, deriving much of their economic wealth and culture from the forests. The response of boreal forests to changes in the global environment - whether caused by direct human activity or by indirect changes such as the anticipated changes in climate - are therefore of considerable international interest, both for their policy implications and their scientific challenges. This book which contains almost 50 peer-reviewed papers from a world-wide group of experts assembled under the auspices of IBFRA, the International Boreal Forest Research Association, covers topics which will stimulate further research and the development of constructive policies for improved management and conservation of global boreal forest resources.

The Soviet Far East (1990) examines the largest economic region in the Soviet Union, the Far East. The region is explored in all its geographical and economic complexity. Chapters on the state of its development under Gorbachev (and his programme of investment) are supplemented by examinations of the history of its settlement, analysis of its unique environment and the threats which economic growth might pose for it, and of the region’s vital strategic significance to the Soviet Union.

This is one of the first public documents to present accurate, reliable data describing the forest sector of Russian industry, including data revealing behavior within the forest sector at a regional level, and possibly the only one to include analyses that look far beyond the present to provide a glimpse of what the future might hold. Following an introduction, Chapter 2 reviews the forest sector in Russia, including the deciduous resource and prices and costs. Chapters 3-6 cover regional diversity in forest resources and utilization in European Russia, West Siberia, East Siberia, and the Far East. Chapter 7 deals with the trade patterns of Russia and former Soviet Union republics. Chapters 8 and 9 cover analytical methods and scenarios focusing on accessibility, capital requirements, and product demand. Chapter 10 examines policy implications and future avenues of research. The book includes bibliographic references, a glossary, and an appendix with extensive statistical data.