This book is an introductory text which sets world forestry in the context of social, environmental, historical, economic and conservation issues. It focuses on the world's forests and how people have related to them and how they have been used since the time of hunter-gatherers until today. It looks at the development of forests, grassland and humans from the Devonian through to the Age of Agriculture, the factors determining the distribution of forests, the classification of forest types, the value and benefits of the forest, the products of the forest and their associated trade. It also concentrates on current patterns of deforestation and reforestation, sustainable forest management, the role of plantations and the current issues in forestry and the future.