Maryland’s forests directly provide socioeconomic benefits related to timber, jobs, and recreational activities (hunting, fishing and ecotourism) and are a renewable resource. In 1996, the forestry and wood products industry, the fifth largest in the state, generated 2 billion dollars in income, created 14,000 jobs and contributed 0.75 billion dollars in value-added economic activity. The long-term profitability of the forest products industry is directly linked to a sustainable forest resource base. Identifying areas where the forest products industry is likely to be viable in the long-term provides focus for effective management activities. Likewise, areas where the forest products industry is particularly important deserve attention.

As part of this assessment, relationships between resource bases and different sectors of the forest industry are being evaluated to aid in the identification of Strategic Forests. For example, primary processing (conversion of raw materials into lumber, paper and other products) occurs in rural areas, close to the resource base, unlike secondary processing (furniture, toys, cardboard containers and other products). In addition, economic analyses have shown that a 10% decline in primary wood manufacturing output would result in a 156 million dollar loss in the value of goods and services, eliminate 1,392 jobs and cause a 77 million dollar loss in value-added economic activity. Recognizing these interdependent relationships between forests, industries and economic benefits is key when assessing economically important forest lands.

The following attributes of Maryland forests are being addressed:

• Forest Industry Economic Impacts
• Forest Industry Employment
• Historic Timber Harvests
• Management Constraints on Public Forests
• Management Constraints on Private Forests
• Parcelization
  • Average Parcel Size
  • Average Parcel Size of Forest Lands
  • Average Parcel Size of Private Forest Lands
• Primary Processing Facilities Locations
• Probability of Logging in relation to Population Density
• Public/Private Ownership of Forested Lands
• Recreation Use of Public Forests