Evolution of Forest Resources and Harvests - Estimation of Future Developments

Using National Forest Inventory data since 1908, this study documents a steady 60% growth in French forest area and a rise in standing volume driven by natural and artificial reforestation and harvesting rates below biological production. Availability studies reveal that while total timber availability approaches biological increment, technical and economic constraints significantly limit harvestable volumes. The paper refines availability estimates by incorporating environmental and regulatory restrictions and proposes the use of land registry cross-referencing to gauge owners' willingness to sell. Furthermore, the implementation of airborne Lidar technologies is highlighted as a means to spatially map forest availability and enhance the efficiency of forest mobilization agents.