Forest potentials and policy implications

National timber-assessment studies based on dynamic models are well developed in some European countries, but consistent and dynamic timber assessments for all of Europe are rare and those that exist are not based on formal quantitative models. Because of this lack, a first objective of the IIASA Forest Study was the development of a consistent and formal dynamic model for European forests. Such a model is crucial for formulating relevant forest policies throughout Europe, as well as for calculating long-term timber balance for the region. Finding solutions to the air pollution problem is not easy. Those who design and implement solutions to the problem must coordinate local actions to achieve regional goals, regional actions to achieve national goals, and national actions to achieve international goals. The authors hope that the results of the IIASA Forest Study will play a role in this process.