Forest Research: Open Access
Open Access

Significance on Forest Products

^*Correspondence: Michel Billiard, Department of Geography, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom, Email:

Author info »

Description

Any substance obtained from forestry for direct consumption or commercial use, such as lumber, paper, or cattle fodder, is considered as a forest product. Wood, by far the most important forest product, is used for a variety of purposes, including wood fuel (e.g., in the form of firewood or charcoal), finished structural components for building construction, and as a raw material for paper production (in the form of wood pulp). Nontimber forest products refer to all other non-wood products obtained from forest resources, which include a wide range of other forest products. When it comes to producing revenue for the local population, non-timber forest products are thought to have fewer negative consequences on the forest ecology.

For the production of wood and non-wood forest products, some 1.15 billion hectares of forest are maintained globally. 749 million hectares have also been set aside for various uses, including agricultural. Since 1990, the area of forest dedicated primarily to production has remained nearly uniform, whereas the area of multiple-use forest has decreased by about 71 million acres.

In today's world, forests are extremely significant. You might be shocked to learn that the bulk of the items we use in our homes come from forests (either directly or indirectly). Because forestmade products are distributed globally, they could come from a forest thousands of miles distant. Forests serve a vital role in our everyday lives. They are essential to human life and welfare because they absorb toxic gases and supply oxygen for us to breathe.

Types of forest products

Timber and non-timber forest goods are the two forms of forest products. Forest products, on the other hand, are divided into three categories: food, wood and timber products, and other forest products such as medicinal supplements. Shelter, food, livelihood, water, and security are all provided by forests. Listed below are a variety of forest-derived items.

Food products from the forests

Forests have been exploited as a primary food source since ancient times. The reliance on forests for food has increased dramatically throughout time. When compared to the rate at which trees are planted, the rate at which forests are utilized is extremely high. As a result, specialists advise farmers to use agroforestry techniques, which are helpful to both agriculture and forestry. Below are some of the food products that are obtained from forests, either directly or indirectly.

• Honey

• Wild meat

• Fruits

• Mushroom

• Palm wine

• Palm oil

• Cola nuts

Wood and timber products

Among the many goods derived from trees, timber is one of the most important. Timber (sometimes known as lumber) is a sort of wood that has been milled into beams and planks. The demand for timber has risen dramatically as a result of its use in the furniture and real estate industries. The strong demand for lumber is due to its strength and durability. The lumber sector is considered a major cause in deforestation in most uncontrolled forests due to strong demand. Illegal logging is attracted to it. Exotic lumber is wood that comes from areas outside of North America's rainforests. The regional supply of timber, on the other hand, is limited, which has boosted worldwide timber commerce.

• Wood raw material

• Swan softwood

• Swan hardwood

• Wood based panels

• Paperboard, Paper and Wood Pulp

• Rubber

• Balsa Wood

Conclusion

The section of nontimber forest products known as medical and dietary supplements is the most valuable and largest. Europe is the world's largest user of herbal medicines, accounting for over half of global consumption. Germany, France, and Italy are Europe's top three marketplaces. Asia and Japan are the world's second-largest herbal product consumers, accounting for almost a third of global consumption. Blue cohosh, Black cohosh, Ginseng, Mayapple, Goldenseal, and Hawthorne are all prominent forest medicinal plants.