One of the purposes of forestry is the production and processing of timber for construction and furniture. This is one of the sectors that contributes most to the erosion of biodiversity. This is why sustainable forest management is essential to preserve the cultural, social and ecological services provided by forests (wood supply, soil stabilization, carbon storage, hunting, etc.).
Forest harvesting for timber production encompasses all practices used to produce wood for construction or furniture. 6 BIODEV2030 countries have selected logging as a priority economic sector that contributes to biodiversity erosion and national development. Three have specifically selected the timber sector: Benin, Guinea and Vietnam.
ACTORS & ECONOMIC CHALLENGES in the timber industry
Worldwide, forestry generates over 5,000 different products. It also generates gross added value in excess of 600 billion dollars a year. In Guinea, this sector contributes over 15% to the country's GDP. In reality, however, the economic contribution of forests is much greater, as the sector is mainly informal.
Economic development, demographic expansion and urbanization all go hand in hand with a growing demand for forest products. According to projections, this demand will increase considerably over the coming decades. In Vietnam, the value of wood product exports is set to grow by 70% between 2021 and 2030. In Benin, total wood demand for the national and international markets exceeds the country's forestry potential.
In recent years, the forestry sector has begun to change its practices, notably through sustainable forest management certifications.Operational, reputational, marketing, legal and financial risks motivate these changes in practices. In particular, these sustainable practices can increase profits in the value chain, thanks to the added value they bring to buyers.
13.2 MILLIONS
number of jobs generated by forestry operations worldwide
Source: World Bank. Forests, a source of jobs and income [online]. Available at: https: //www.banquemondiale.org/fr/topic/forests/brief/forests-generate-jobs-and-incomes (consulted on July 15, 2022)
the impact of the timber industry on biodiversity
The timber industry puts pressure on ecosystems all along the value chain. These pressures can be greater or lesser depending on the management methods used. When trees are planted, the use of fertilizers and pesticides and the way vegetation is treated (burning, clearing) contribute to the erosion of biodiversity. Mono-specific crops (a single tree species) greatly reduce biodiversity. The choice of tree species and their association is therefore crucial to preserving forest biodiversity.
Poor maintenance of plantations, harvesting methods (non-selective cutting, short rotations) and illegal logging can lead to gaps in the forest. This gives grasses more room to grow, and fire outbreaks are more common. In addition, loading and transporting trees to processing plants requires road infrastructures that fragment habitats.
Finally, wood residues (sawdust and shavings) are not always recycled by processing companies. Their release in large quantities into the environment affects the living environment of plants and animals. It can also cause fires.
The timber industry has a negative impact on biodiversity due to :
1. Tree species planted: the choice of tree species planted and their felling should not be guided solely by economic prospects; the preservation of the forest's biological diversity must also be taken into account.
2. Forest management methods: timber harvesting must be organized to avoid land degradation. Development and sustainable management plans must be put in place.