Forests as ecosystems within a changing environment

Environmental change is a major issue facing forest managers today. Both the physico-chemical and socio-economic environments are changing, with major implications for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Traditionally, only air pollution and climate change have been included in assessments of climate change. However, there is now a need to examine the impacts of changes in the ways that forests are viewed, changes in technology, and changes in economic forces, such as trading patterns. Forest scientists have a responsibility to ensure that the implications of such changes are brought to the attention of those responsible for the management of forest ecosystems.