The Economic Viability of Woodlots in British Columbia, Canada : Tagung der IUFRO-Gruppe "Small-scale Forestry"

1993

S. 72-79

10 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

200035027

British Columbia is physically and ecologically diverse, extensive in area and sparsely populated when compared to many parts of the world. Privately owned, small scale woodlot operations comprise less than 1% of the land area of the province, and are economically dwarfed by industrial and government forestry activities. The economic viability of forest land is determined by a series of factors ranging from proximity to urban centers, ecological status and social factors. It is the interaction of these factors and relative magnitude to each other that influences economic viability. This paper briefly outlines a series of interacting factors. Using one particular example of two woodlots in different geographic regions of British Columbia, illustrates their relative economic viability throug their primary source of income - timber harvesting. The final discussion suggests that all factors should be considered, and priorized as to importance. It is further suggested that government has a role in assisting to moderate inequities that create problems in the financial viability of small scale forestry, and that government should encourage greater involvement and wider ownership in woodlots through these fiscal policy tools, and create long term economic stability in this sector of the economy.