林学(forestry)
指林地（参阅forest）的经营以及相关水源、荒地的管理，林木伐植为其主要目的，兼及自然资源保护和娱乐目的。过去经营森林，目的仅在於生产木材和林副产品，这是单效用观点。现代林业不仅要考虑生产木材和林副产品的需要，同时还要考虑水土保持、保护野生动物资源以及体育、旅游和游憩的需要，即已由单效用观点变为多效用观点。但是林业经营基本上仍以经济考虑为主。现代锯木和纸浆等森林工业的生产效率是建立在持续运转的基础上，需要保证原料木材的持续供应，因而产生了永续利用观点，提出保育、轮伐等概念。现代的林业技术包括森林的培育、火灾的预防和控制、防治病虫害、水土流失的管理以及对狩猎和游憩等活动的管理。森林经营计画起源於中世纪早期的欧洲，许多国家都有关於森林的立法，管理林木的砍伐及狩猎活动。19世纪欧洲成立了私立的林业学校，1891年美国政府批准了第一个林地保留区，到了20世纪，许多国家开始从事造林计画。
English version：
forestry
Management of forested land (see forest), together with associated waters and wasteland, primarily for harvesting timber but also for conservation and recreation purposes. The science of forestry is built around the principle of multiple-use land management, though the harvesting and replanting of timber are the primary activities. The main objective is to maintain a continuous supply of timber through carefully planned harvest and replacement. The forest manager is also responsible for the application of other land controls, including the protection of wildlife and the implementation of programs to protect the forest from weeds, insects, fungal diseases (see fungus), erosion, and fire. The planned management of forests originated in early medieval Europe, where laws regulated the felling of timber and the use of forests for hunting. In the 19th century private forestry schools were established in Europe; and in 1891 the U.S. government authorized its first reserves of forested land. During the 20th century many nations have undertaken reforestation or afforestation programs.