Forests offer much more than timber. They provide essential services like clean air, water filtration, biodiversity, and wildlife habitats. However, these benefits, known as "non-market" values, often go unmeasured because they don't have a direct price.
Traditional economics usually overlook these values, focusing only on the financial gains from timber. This narrow view can harm ecosystems and prevent us from recognizing forests' full worth.
Mark Anielski, a respected forest and wellbeing economist, has spent over 30 years working on ways to measure these hidden benefits. He collaborates with governments, nonprofits, and First Nations to help bring non-market forest values into the economy.
This article will explore Mark's insights on forest ecosystem value, examining why GDP falls short and how we can prioritize ecosystem health. We will also discuss incentives for sustainable forestry, wildfire prevention, and other ways to protect these vital resources.
