Abstract

As a cross discipline, the study scope of the forest economics has expanded continuously. Based on the review and analysis of the study in the two international authoritative journals, “Journal of Forest Economics” and “Forest Policy and Economics” from 2010 to 2014, this paper discussed the latest research progress of forest economics and the main contents of the study in order to provide a reference for the construction of the disciplinary system of the forest economics and its development. By using the method of cluster and variance analyses, the study points out that although the research of forest economic scope is expanding constantly, the contents of the research of forest economics mainly focus on the study of forest resources utilization and its benefits, forest management and economic analysis, as well as timber production and its market research. The paper suggests that construction of the disciplinary system of the forest economics in the world also should begin with the core contents and the latest research progress of forest economics, build a scientific system of theories and methods for it step by step, keep pace with the times, and the research contents should be renewed and improved constantly.

Key words: Cluster analysis, discipline system, forest economics, forest management, research progress.