西北地区森林面积仅占全国森林面积的 8.6% ,森林覆盖率为2 .7%。长期单一的木材生产经营模式使天然林资源被大量损耗。西部大开发必须的基础设施建设对木材生产提出了更高要求 ,树种、管理水平、农林牧业用地及资金和科技投入不足等限制了本区林业的发展。基于林业发展的优势和劣势对比 ,认为加入WTO有利于西北地区森林资源保护 ,木材市场稳定 ,林产工业发展 ,林副特产品出口 ,投资环境改善及发展森林旅游业和劳务出口。针对面临的挑战和现存问题提出了对策与措施 The forest area in the northwest region accounts for only 8.6% of the national forest area and the forest coverage rate is 2.7%. The long-term single mode of timber production and management has caused a great loss of natural forest resources. The necessary infrastructure for the development of the western region has set higher demands on timber production, and the species and management level, the land used for agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and lack of funds and science and technology have limited the development of forestry in this area. Based on the comparison of advantages and disadvantages of forestry development, it is considered that the accession to the WTO is conducive to the protection of forest resources, the stability of timber market, the development of forestry industry, the export of special forestry products, the improvement of investment environment and the development of forest tourism and labor exports in the northwestern region. In view of the challenges and existing problems, some countermeasures and measures are put forward