Africa

Forest research in the Commonwealth countries of Africa is largely based on the Indian model. South Africa in particular has a leading international role in research on plantations.

Australia and New Zealand:

Australia and New Zealand have high standards of forest research and are international leaders in sub-tropical and tropical plantation research

Canada

The most forest-rich country in the Commonwealth with most of its forest areas in temperate or boreal zones.

United Kingdom, Cyprus:

The UK Forestry Commission was created in 1919 with responsibilities for forest development in Great Britain, but many forest-related research institutions were based on colonial needs and were established earlier. Cyprus, the only other Commonwealth country with forest in Europe developed forest management for Mediterranean conditions

Indian subcontinent,

India is the largest Commonwealth country with the longest tradition of scientific forest management, which was based originally on central European traditions. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have developed from the Indian model.

South East Asia

Malaysia is the principal country in this region, a leader in management of dipterocarp forests.

The Pacific Islands

Forestry in the Pacific Islands of the Commonwealth has many similarities with that in Australia and New Zealand, with emphasis on intensive forest management, both in natural forest and plantations. Much of the research done has relied on external assistance.

The Caribbean and South America

Including the Caribbean islands, Belize and Guyana, research has been on a small scale but to a high standard