The demands on native forests for wood products and fuel continue to cause major ecological disturbances. These demands are expected to increase substantially in upcoming years. High-yielding tree plantations, to which biotechnology is expected to contribute toward significantly, can reduce the net impacts of wood production on the environment by reducing the pressure to harvest native forests. Transgenic forest plantations promise a number of significant environmental benefits. The production of trees with modified lignin is expected to improve environmental performance of pulp mills.
Transgenic trees hold considerable promise as agents to facilitate bioremediation of polluted lands.
Transgenic insect-resistant trees are expected to reduce the environmental impacts of topically applied pesticides within an integrated resistance management system. In areas where herbicide usage is deemed environmentally acceptable, herbicide resistant trees are expected to reduce tillage to aid soil conservation and enable the use of herbicides with superior environmental characteristics. While transgenic traits pose some risks for plantations and associated ecosystems, many options exist to mitigate their impacts. Biotechnologies, like all technologies, must be managed wisely to maximize their benefits while minimizing undesired effects. The major risks of transgenic trees that are under development include reduced effectiveness of herbicides and pesticides, undesirable effects of transgene products on non-target organisms, and increased susceptibility of trees with modified wood to biotic and abiotic damage.