Yet another book on the topic of ¿Sustainable Forest Management¿ can only be justified by new information that is of direct relevance. The contents of this volume concentrate on the very latest factors and developments, thus, hopefully, contributing both to the book¿s attractiveness and to closing gaps in the discipline¿s database. This book is written for researchers in the field of forest management, international forestry, and climate change-related issues, legal and policy advisors, as well as for managers of private companies who deal with SFM. The authors of the various sections are scientists in the field of forestry and other environmental sciences. They represent different institutions, mainly universities and research agencies in Germany, but also high-level international institutions in development co-operation, such as the World Bank, FAO, and IIASA. The scope of the book is to refresh the meanings and perceptions of SFM against the background of the rapid changes in our natural and social environment. Climate change and the rapid increase of atmospheric CO concentration is a global process 2 with negative impacts of different kinds, among others on natural ecosystems such as forests. A crucial issue therefore is how forest management can contribute to forest conservation in light of changing climatic conditions. Moreover, policy changes such as the introduction of certification schemes and the new emphasis laid on Non-Wood Forest Products justify the re-evaluation of the role of SFM in delivering ecological goods and services from our forests.

Introduces new approaches to some of the key issues in SFM, including technical developments and participatory processes

Preface. 1. Introduction: Some Basic Remarks on Sustainable Forest Management, Environment and Global Ethics; H. Ihne, P. Spathelf.- 2. Sustaining the World¿s Forests: Managing Competing Demands for a Vital Resource ¿ The Role of the World Bank - ; G. Dieterle.- 3. Conservation of tropical forests and climate change mitigation; P.L. Ibisch, L. Schmidt.- 4. State of Europe¿s Forests 2007 ¿ Report of the Fifth Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe for Sustainable Forest Management in Europe; M. Köhl, E. Rametsteiner.- 5. Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in the tropics ¿ still a long way to go?; L. Nutto et al.- 6. Non-Wood Forest Products for Livelihoods and Sustainable Development; W. Killmann.- 7. Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources: the Basis for Adaptability in Managed Forests; R. Kätzel.- 8. Adaptive Forest Management ¿ a Prerequisite for Sustainable Forestry in the Face of Climate Change; A. Bolte et al.- 9. A Scientific Perspective for Silviculture; T. Knoke.- 10. Forest-related Climate Mitigation Options: Dialogues for exploring opportunities and threats; M. Welp.- 11. Forestry or 'The Art of Flying Blind'. Sustainability in an Era of Global Change; U. Schraml, R. von Detten.- 12. Key Challenges in Forest Protected Area Management; M. Bertzky, B. Bomhard.- 13. Forest Organisations in Change: Examples from the Tropics and Subtropics; J. Pretzch.- 14. Conclusions; P. Spathelf.