A review of forests and production forest management in New Zealand: A report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in the University of Canterbury

Abstract

This review was prepared while gathering data for a Master of Applied Science thesis concerning the Energy Requirements of ExoticProduction Forestry. In addition to providing background information for this thesis, a further objective of the report was to serve as an introduction for students of the Joint Centre for Enviromnental Sciences, Lincoln College, to forestry and production forest management in New Zealand. A brief outline of the impact of man on the natural forest environment, his gradual development of a forest policy and evolvement of an exotic forest estate, is followed by a review of production forest management practices, The report concludes with a discussion on the management for timber production of New Zealand is merchantable indigenous forests. The review is based on a literature survey which encorporated FRI symposiums, FRI branch reports, articles from the N.Z. Journal of Forestry, LIRA reports and numerous. relevant publications available in the libraries of the University of Canterbury, In addition, a considerable quantity of information was forwarded by well informed individuals actively engaged in forest management.