This case study is one of a series of publications produced by the Forest Harvesting, Trade and Marketing Branch of FAO in an effort to promote environmentally sound forest harvesting and engineering practices. The purpose of these studies is to highlight both the promise of environmentally sound forest harvesting technologies as a component of sustainable forest management, and the constraints that must be overcome in order to assure widespread adoption of those technologies.

The Government of South Africa has a major holding of forest land, with a total estate covering 892,000 ha of forest and associated land. Within the state's forest holding there is a wide diversity of forest and land types including: commercial plantations and other afforested land; indigenous forests; legally protected (indigenous) forest areas; and associated bare land. This land is partly owned by the state and partly held on behalf of local communities, some of whom also have existing rights to use the forest land for various purposes.

The purpose of the expert consulation was to review of current policies that affect the management of livestock and natural resources, focussing on sub-regions and different agro-ecological settings and the identification of policy trade-off. Presentations/resource papers were delivered from each of the five different sub-regions of the Latin American/Caribbean region (Amazon/Brazil; Andean countries/highlands; Central American countries and Mexico; Southern Cone; Caribbean).

A description of Mongolia's forest resource base, including the prevailing socioeconomic, biological and physical environment. The country's forest industries and main wood products are outlined and forest development plans and legislation are presented

An introduction to the status of forest resources and forestry industries in Thailand. Forest policies are outlined in the context of the prevailing social and economic environment.

One of the greatest challenges faced by mankind is to satisfy the needs of the fast growing global population and at the same time preserve land, water, air and biodiversity resources. Livestock are a crucial element in this balancing process. Demand for livestock products is growing fast, especially in the developing world. Livestock, through their multiple functions, are a cornerstone of the livelihood of most of the rural population in the developing world.

Este nmero de Unasylva se centra en el Estudio mundial sobre suministro de fibras y en las cuestiones que ha planteado e intentado resolver. Ante todo, se sita en el contexto preciso la cuestin del suministro de fibra en el futuro.

La mayor parte de los nmeros de Unasylva se centran en un tema concreto. El objetivo de esa orientacin temtica es examinar de forma pormenorizada un aspecto determinado de las actividades y el desarrollo forestales, con el fin de resaltar su significado e importancia dentro de los confines ms amplios de nuestro universo. Sin pretender que los diferentes nmeros sean como un manual de una materia concreta, se propone presentar una serie de anlisis de cuestiones especficas que contribuyan a suscitar inters y a concienciar al lector.