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Abstract
The last decade’s economic, social, and environmental changes have affected the production, consumption, prices, and trade of forest products in the United States. This report provides an overview of how future potential societal and biophysical changes in the U.S. South, the country, and the world may influence the region’s forest sector. Changes are modeled with six scenarios that offer alternative trajectories for socioeconomic change (rates of growth in income and population), climate warming, technology, and trade openness. Among these are two scenarios exploring (1) the accelerated adoption of mass timber products in construction, and (2) a large, hypothetical increase in trade restrictions. All scenarios are summarized in terms of changes in production, consumption, prices, and trade in forest products. Results of this study can facilitate more fully informed choices by landowners, policymakers, and industry decisionmakers as they prepare for an uncertain future.