September 2014: The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) released a ‘Tropical Forest Update’ focusing on the role of forests in livelihoods. The update features a discussion on how communities can earn more from forests through the sustainable use of different revenue streams, including timber and non-timber forest products. The update also reviews the socio-economic benefits of forests, building on the ‘State of the World’s Forest’ report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO).

In addition to the headline articles, the Update presents case studies on the rehabilitation and sustainable use of bamboo forests in Peru, the development of a mangrove management master plan in Cameroon and efforts to reduce the impacts of logging through reduced impact logging and reduced logging intensity in Gabon.

The Update also introduces new International Tropical Timber Council fellowship recipients representing 15 different countries, and provides updates on the activities of current fellows. Finally, the Update summarizes recent market trends as presented in the ITTO Tropical Timber Market Report, taking particular note of housing starts in Japan and the US. [Publication: Tropical Forest Update 23 No. 2]