FAO, with the co-sponsorship of the Forestry Division, Samoa Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Meteorology, held a workshop in Apia, Samoa, 4-8 September 2000 with the objectives of collecting data for the Forest Resources Assessment Programme and other FAO Forestry programmes, assisting participating countries in meeting FAO data needs and exploring areas where FAO and member countries could work together in strengthening future forest resources assessments and other forestry programmes.
The presentations given at the workshop are summarized in chronological order, as presented. They are followed by papers presented at the workshop and country reports containing information in FAO’s files or submitted by the countries to FAO.
Mr. Malaki Iakopo, Assistant Director, Samoa Forestry Division welcomed the participants to the workshop and introduced the opening speakers.
The Rev. Riolo Tauati offered the opening prayer.
Mr. Stefano Bonezzi, Acting Sub-regional FAO Representative gave the opening address:
“It is my pleasure to be given this opportunity to address a few remarks to this important regional forestry workshop on behalf of the Sub-regional Representative, Dr. Vili Fuavao and Dr. Jacques Diouf, FAO Director General. Let me first welcome you to the Sub-regional Office, which is mandated to serve the needs of FAO member countries in the region. I hope that throughout this week you will not only enjoy the facilities provided here but you will also become more acquainted with the activities and roles of this office. We in the Sub-regional Office and the FAO as a whole would also like to acknowledge the support and assistance of the Samoa Government (through the Samoa Forestry Division) in agreeing to host and for their collaboration in the organization of the workshop.
“I believe that this meeting is an important step for forest data collection in the Pacific. I note from the agenda that there will be presentations from the countries on the status and level of their data collection and papers on specific topics presented by the different resource persons. Forests, as we know, provide many goods and services that are essential and necessary for life processes on this earth. However, in recent years, the damage and degradation of forests and forest lands have increased drastically, forcing global debate on how the world’s forests are to be managed. Although a number of theories have been developed and established on principles of sustainable forest management, there are several forest practices that are very essential and require greater attention. One of these, as rightfully addressed by this regional workshop, is “data collection”. With appropriate data and information, proper assessment can be made of the status of the different forest resources, and more importantly, enable right management decisions and practices to be made and applied. I believe this workshop is important to the overall management of the region’s forests, is timely, and will go far in addressing the region’s data collection problems. This is an opportunity for the countries and FAO to identify issues, concerns, technical assistance and capacity building needs to be addressed.
“FAO, at the request of member nations and the world community, regularly monitors the world’s forests through the Forest Resources Assessment Programme. The programme will review the global forest situation by the end of the millennium. I would like to emphasize that FAO sees the conduct of this exercise as a partnership, where forest data from the countries are reviewed, checked for accuracy and completeness, and verified.
“To conclude, I would like to again take the opportunity to thank all the organizers of this workshop for their contribution in taking us here, and especially thank the participants and their governments in agreeing to FAO’s invitation to participate. May I wish you all the very best in your deliberations, and I look forward to receiving the final report of the workshop and its recommendations.”
Mr. Seve Imo, Acting Director, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Meteorology extended a warm and special welcome to all the countries represented on behalf of the Director. Forests play an important role in the lives of the people of Samoa, both in the production of goods and services and the protection of biodiversity. A national biodiversity action plan is presently being prepared. A national biodiversity conference will be held later in the year.
There has been a drastic change in forestry in Samoa. Formerly, timber was exported from Samoa, but now most sawn timber is produced for local use and Samoa is a net importer of timber. There are only 6-8 years of natural forests left. The government is now reviewing its policies on harvesting of the remaining forests. No new licenses will be issued for the next few years. A plan is being developed for the future use and management of forests.
Collection of data is vital but is costly. It has been some time since there has been a comprehensive assessment of Samoa’s forests as well as others in the region. There is a need for technical expertise and financial resources to update forest resource data. There is also a need to better understand FAO’s terminology and needs for data. Participants should make use of this opportunity to improve the collection and utilization of data.
Mr. Imo declared the workshop officially open.
Robert Davis thanked the speakers for their encouraging opening remarks, the FAO Sub-regional Office for organizing the meeting, the Government of Samoa for their support and sponsorship and the participants for taking the time to travel to Apia and participate.
There were self-introductions of the participants and resource personnel.
Herson Anson (FSM) was elected the Chair for the day and Teareunawa Natake (Kiribati) the rapporteur.
Robert Davis reviewed the agenda, which was then adopted by the delegates.
The focus of the workshop is on data collection for the Pacific Islands for the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 (FRA 2000). Since 1947 FAO, at the request of its member nations and the world community, has regularly reported on the state, changes and conditions of the world’s forests through such periodic assessments as FRA 2000. Published approximately every 10 years, this service has been viewed as one of the Forestry Department’s most important functions and has provided key information for policy makers to frame the debate on such vital issues such as deforestation, biological diversity, wood supply and sustainable development. As the primary provider of very detailed and comprehensive information, FAO's statistics are widely used and quoted by leading organizations around the world.
FRA 2000 aims to generate, collect and publish a wide range of information on forest resources at national, regional, global and ecosystem levels. For national-level reporting FRA requires specific existing information from individual countries, including those of the Pacific Islands. The overall quality of the existing national-level information for FRA 2000 purposes will be based largely on its
• accuracy and precision (determined by the data collection mechanisms);
• periodicity (the possibility to identify and use comparable multi-date inventories needed to accurately assess changes in forests);
• timing of last inventory (length of time elapsed between the inventory and 2000);
• content (the thematic scope must have relevance to the FRA 2000 parameters);
• geographic coverage (information should be national or provide sufficient national coverage from a set of surveys to develop country-wide estimates).
The collection of existing national-level information for many of the required parameters has been approached by several mechanisms:
• collection of relevant national-level reports through direct contacts by FRA FAO staff;
• sub-regional workshops involving all countries that desire to participate and contribute;
• regional associate professional officers that liase with relevant institutions in specific countries to obtain information.
This week The Pacific Islands Workshop will review the data provided by some of the national representatives who already in sent the information. We will also look ahead on how to bridge information gaps, collect further information and provide some time for thinking about major needs in the countries, especially related to capacity building for forest resources assessments.
The proposed structure of the workshop will begin with orientation regarding FRA 2000, definitions and methods employed. Then we wish to pass the floor to each of the country representatives for them to share with us information on their forest resource situation and any important aspects that are important for FRA to consider when compiling their data for presentation in the final report, and thematic elements on some of the FRA special studies. Sessions will also be held with individual countries with FRA officers to better understand your data. We will also have some guest presenters who will address the theme of “invasive exotics” in the Pacific Islands, the Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk Project (PIER), mangroves, watershed management and sustainable mountain development.
At the end of the workshop, we would like to have a clear understanding of all the data presently available from the participants, a plan for moving ahead to gather additional information and some ideas on how FAO can be of assistance in capacity building for future work in your countries.
Question. What resources are available to assist countries in forest inventories?
Answer. FAO can provide some training in such areas as sampling and remote sensing. In some cases, FAO can serve as liaison with donor countries and organizations. FAO is also in the process of developing a new forest inventory manual, but this will take some time to complete.
Magnus Grylle described the FRA 2000 programme and the processes underway to bring it to completion.
Aru Mathias, Forestry Officer, FAO Sub-regional Office, presented an overview of the history and trends of forestry in the Pacific Region:
Importance of forests and trees
Provide goods and services.
Ownership of land.
Land, forests and people inseparably linked.
Cultural significance.
Enormous diversity (inability to generalise).
Historical perspectives – past trends and practices
Past heavy exploitation (colonial era).
Centralised planning (top-down approach).
Plantation driven policies (economic-based decisions).
Very little regional collaboration.
Changing face of forestry in the region
In 1980’s increased awareness and participation of people.
Conservation wave and greater environmental awareness:
Establishment of environmental departments.
Emergence of NGOs, their roles and demands.
Greater regional collaboration.
Native forest management (management plans, inventories).
Emerging trends (1990s)
Participatory forestry (empowerment of resource owners).
Multiple use of forests (protected areas, watershed management areas).
Policy development and shifts (e.g. COLP, value-added processing).
Legislation (changes and development).
Greater regional collaboration (COLP, SPRIG, PIF/TSP, FORSPA).
Conclusions and lessons to learn from these trends
In Pacific island countries, forestry is no longer simple land use:
Complex given the issues (land tenure, international obligations, UNCED).
More competition (with other land-based agencies).
Limited funds (to implement policies, action plans, etc.).
How can this workshop help?
Through proper data and information collection, proper recording, and appropriate analysis, sound decisions can be made that could lead to better forest management practices.
In addition to the following table, please see the American Samoa country report in the Appendix.
Areas of six islands of American Samoa, by land class and type, 1995
Land Class and Type |
Tutuila |
Ta’u |
Ofu |
Olosega |
Aunu’u |
Nu’utele |
Total |
Hectares | |||||||
|
Forest: Upland forest Coastal forest Mangrove forest Dwarf forest Moss forest |
6 869 197 48 8 |
838 386 177 1 179 |
323 76 52 |
75 168 30 38 |
13 3 |
6 |
9 105 834 51 227 3 042 |
Total Forest |
7 110 |
3 580 |
451 |
311 |
16 |
6 |
11 470 |
|
Secondary Vegetation: Agroforest Agroforest w/ coconut Agroforest w/ bananas Coconut Plantation |
230 13 4 906 3 6 |
10 23 170 572 |
19 5 195 |
30 165 |
3 69 20 |
9 |
243 54 5 180 3 967 |
Total Agroforest |
4 927 |
765 |
218 |
196 |
89 |
9 |
6 204 |
|
Nonforest: Marsh, fresh Marsh, saline Grasslands Strand Cropland Urban Urban/crops Urban/agroforest Barren Water, fresh Water, saline |
2 107 28 29 806 57 4 23 |
7 34 42 20 27 |
1 18 5 3 12 |
3 2 9 1 |
16 5 1 5 9 10 3 |
29 5 161 88 36 850 84 4 3 23 | |
Total Nonforest |
1 056 |
128 |
36 |
15 |
48 |
1 283 | |
|
Total Area |
13 324 |
4484 |
706 |
522 |
155 |
15 |
19 204 |
Cole et al. 1988
General information
• Location:
Longitude 175º - 178º West.
Latitude 15º - 20º South.
• Land area 18 270 km2.
• 2 major islands, 88 % of land mass:
Viti Levu 10 429 km2.
Vanua Levu 5 556 km2.
The forestry sector
• One of the Economic Services sectors.
• Contribution 2.5% of GDP.
Earns ~ $50 million annually.
Employment ~ 3 000 people.
• Roles:
Regulatory/monitoring/facilitative.
Training and education, publicity and support services.
Research and trade assistance.
Forest parks, protection, reserves and recreation.
Forest extension services.
Forestry institutions
• General Administration.
• Forest Management Services.
• Training and Education.
• Silviculture Research.
• Timber Utilisation and Promotion.
• Extension Services.
• Harvesting.
• Forest Parks, Reserves, and Nature Reserves.
Policy and legislation
• Protection and development of natural vegetation.
• Development and production of timber for local consumption and export.
• Ensure best use of all timber species and lesser-known species.
• Establish and promote an export trade in timber.
• Maintain and improve soil fertility and extension of forest cover.
• Recovery of eroded areas.
• Provision and maintenance of forest amenity areas.
Sawmilling policy
• Approved in 1995.
• Upgrading of all sawmills.
• Improve efficiency and raise the standard and quality of sawn-timber products.
Trends in forest management
• Adoption of sustainable forest management techniques at operational level.
• More participation of resource or landowners.
• Reviving the Forestry Extension Services.
Forest Resource Data
• Total natural forest cover 802 900 ha.
• Logged area 40 %.
• Protection area 30 %.
• Balance multiple-use forests 30 %.
• Logging rate ~ 8 000 ha per year (estimate 30 years to log remaining forest).
Key issues and concerns
• Control of forest fires in pine forests.
• Commercialisation of plantations.
• Acceptance of sustainable forest management practices.
• Involvement and active participation of landowners in forestry and wood based industry.
• Strengthen value-added processing.
• Promotion of alternative and non-destructive uses of natural forests (e.g. eco-tourism).
Future outlook
• Active participation of landowners in the management of their forest resources.
• Strengthening of value-added processing down to the furniture level, aimed at the high quality end of the market spectrum.
• Decreasing size of Forest Management Units to the water catchment level.
• Strengthening of the Forest Management Information System for more effective forest resource planning and control.
Question: What GIS systems do you have?
Answer: ARC-INFO and MAP-INFO.
Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to give a brief insight into forest assessment work in the country.
Status of Forestry
Contribution to national economy
Forestry and the exploitation of forests contribute significantly to the overall economy of Papua New Guinea (PNG). It fluctuates between the second- and third-ranked foreign exchange generating source next to mining and petroleum and agricultural products. In 1999 export earnings from round log exports were US$151.952 million, although this was a big decline from the mid-1980s when export earnings neared or exceeded US$500 million.
Area forested
The best estimates available based on remotely sensed data and the forest inventory mapping database using 1996 as the base year indicates that a total of 29 233 000 hectares was under forest cover. A revision of this figure for vegetation complexes and disturbance factors reduces the total to 26 280 000 hectares.
Forest plantations as of the end of 1997 totalled 81 807 ha of which 22 850 ha was State owned through the PNG Forest Authority and the balance of 58 957 ha was privately owned by the major logging companies such as JANT and SBLC.
Timber Concessions
There are a total of 10 98 000 hectares under concessions that are areas officially acquired by the state. Most of these are under forest exploitation with a further 3.0 million ha that have yet to be allocated.
Annual Timber Production and Exports
The annual log harvest from all the concessions for the year 1999 was 2 097 000 cubic metres, which was a significant drop from the previous years. This figure excludes the volume that is harvested using small-scale portable sawmill operations and other removals as a result of land clearing for agriculture or other land uses. These other removals have no proper records and there is no system in place to monitor them.
In 1999 a total of 1 893 000 m3 of round logs were exported, mostly to China, Japan, Korea, Philippines and Taiwan. Total export earnings in the same year were US$151 952 000
Other forest products exported include wood chips to Japan and sawn timber, plywood and some veneer. These products are mostly for the Australian and New Zealand markets and a small quantity for markets in Europe.
Forest Resources
Major Forest Types
There are 13 different vegetation types found in PNG. Three of these are not generally regarded as forest (savannah, scrub, and grassland).
Forest type |
Gross area (ha) |
Logged-over and reverting to forest (ha) |
Total area (ha) |
Low altitude forest on plains and fan |
|||
Large to medium crowned forest |
487 986 |
165 474 |
653 460 |
Open forest |
1 262 793 |
134 070 |
1 396 863 |
Small crowned forests |
747 891 |
76 881 |
824 772 |
Terminalia brassii forest |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Low altitude forest on uplands |
|||
Large crowned forest |
265 656 |
55 047 |
320 703 |
Medium crowned forest |
12 439 324 |
1 400 082 |
13 839 406 |
Small crowned forest |
2 822 923 |
188 112 |
3 011 035 |
Lower montane forest |
|||
Small crowned forest |
7 263 365 |
40 222 |
7 303 587 |
Small crowned forest with conifers |
441 207 |
605 |
441 812 |
Montane forest |
2 165 |
0 |
2 165 |
Dry seasonal forest |
1 048 490 |
4 109 |
1 052 599 |
Littoral forest |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Seral forest |
18 096 |
28 000 |
46 096 |
Swamp forest |
611 813 |
40 359 |
652 172 |
Mangrove |
724 |
881 |
1 605 |
Woodlands |
811 166 |
18 243 |
829 409 |
Savannah |
48 422 |
981 |
483 403 |
Scrub |
100 872 |
863 |
101 736 |
Grassland |
426 752 |
20,084 |
446 836 |
Total |
29 233 646 |
2 153 928 |
31 407 658 |
Main Species
Like all other tropical rainforests the species composition is very diverse, ranging from broadleaf forest dominated by Pometia, Terminalia, Alstonia and Celtis spp. found at lower altitudes to coniferous tree species such as Auracaria spp. and Dacrydium spp. in the high altitude areas.
Brief background of forest assessment
Forest assessment in PNG dates back to the early 1950s when small sawmills were established to produce sawn timber, partly for reconstruction after the Second World War. These assessments were very limited and generally for the immediate needs of the sawmill.
During the mid 1970s CSIRO, together with the then Office of Forests, embarked on a major-scale forest assessment of the country's forest resources. It was during this period that the vegetation map of PNG was produced (Paijmans). This assessment was carried out throughout most areas of PNG, especially near the coast. Little work was done in the more rugged highlands. The assessment was based on stratified forest type maps of PNG that were based on 1973/1974 aerial photography. Ground field crews were sent in to carry out sampling of the selected photo plots. The outcome was a series of CSIRO publications on the forest resources of PNG.
Since then it has taken almost two decades for the National Forest Service to compile a comprehensive but incomplete database on the forests of PNG.
All forest assessments, even up to today (2000), have been project-specific in that the inventory was only conduced in areas that were identified as having potential for development. Prior to the unification of what is now the National Forest Service (NFS) of the PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA), each province planned for and implemented its own assessments based on their priority projects. There was an absence of any real plan of action.
Despite the absence of any provincial and or national forest plan, a fair number of project-specific inventories were concluded. These inventories were either funded by the then Forest Department or the provincial departments. Irrespective of where the funding was coming from there was always close cooperation between all departments to complete the work.
In 1999 and 2000, most major project-specific forest assessments were stopped. This was due to budget constraints in 1999 while in 2000 the National Government imposed a moratorium on all forestry projects. This effectively put a stop to forest inventory, incorporation of land groups, forest management agreements, development option studies, and negotiation and awarding of timber permits and licenses.
The moratorium has effectively meant a total freeze on all new forestry-related activities except for ongoing logging operations. This was one of the conditions of a World Bank loan made to PNG. Thus it is anticipated that up to the end of 2000 no forest assessments will be undertaken. Any inventory may be viewed as a breach of the loan agreement. It seems apparent that this may be extended into 2001. Even if the moratorium is lifted there is no funding to carry out inventory work.
The prospects for future assessment work will depend to a large extent on the wording of the World Bank conditions in the moratorium. Many people, including stakeholders such as NGOs, landowners, etc., can easily be misled to believe that any efforts to conduct a national forest assessment imply that PNG has breached the moratorium. At this point in time the future is relatively uncertain. The task of carrying out a national forest assessment will be expensive. It is estimated to cost at least K5.0 million (US$1.75 million) to carry out a reasonably accurate inventory of the country. At this point in time the hope lies with AUSAID, who have shown some positive interest. In the event that funding becomes available the first task will be to acquire remotely sensed data (digital/photographic). Using these data we will then need to interpret the data and update the maps, especially land-use and logged-over areas. At this point some technical assistance will be needed to prepare a national forest inventory design. The design phase will be followed by intensive field work and include not only verification but also other activities such as forest sampling.
Current Data Bases
In 1997, PNG Forestry, through funding and technical assistance from AUSAID, undertook to amass forest resource assessment information with a limited amount of fieldwork. The end result was the creation of the Forest Inventory Mapping (FIM) database. This is the only notable work done towards a national forest inventory.
The work involved sifting through all project-specific inventory data, logging plans and other literature on forest assessments. Hard-copy satellite images were acquired from the Australian Centre for Remote Sensing (ACRES) in Canberra, with which land use and logged-over areas were delineated.
In the end, both sets of information (inventory data and maps) were put together to create the FIM database that is GIS compatible. Maps and reports can be produced from the database. Prior to the FIM Project AUSAID funded the PNGRIS Project, a component of which included 1:100,000 scale aerial photo interpretation.
Based on the 1973/1974 photos the different vegetation types were delineated. An Australian expert (John Saunders) did the interpretation work in Australia. Even though the PNG Forest Authority ended up with a comprehensive vegetation map of the country there was no knowledge transfer. To date there is no forestry staff able to distinguish between the main vegetation classes and the sub-types (complexes). The FIM database is based on 1996 as the base year for logging and land use areas.
In addition to the FIM Database there is also the Forest Inventory Processing System (FIPS) that has been used by the Forest Service since the early 1980s. FIPS is basically a computer programme for processing survey information gathered from sample plots. It unfortunately has no GIS capability.
Information Collected
The notion of a national inventory was initiated in the early 1970s and while CSIRO conducted it much of the data is missing from the PNG Forest Authority achieves. A comprehensive but not total coverage was undertaken. As mentioned earlier photo plots were established with extensive ground truth through plot sampling. Not too many foresters around are aware of the methodology and provisions or coverage of the assessments; however, these can be obtained from the CSIRO achieves..
In general, information on tree parameters (mostly diameter, height, and species) was collected. Other information relating to crown diameter, canopy structure, undergrowth, minor forest products, soil samples and so forth may have also been collected. Ground sampling involved the use of helicopters and long-duration camping in remote areas where walking and helicopters were the only means of transportation. Even today, many parts of the country are still inaccessible.
PNG is a physically difficult country in terms of terrain/topography that makes accessibility to most parts difficult. Unfortunately most of the forests are situated in these types of areas. Most of the readily accessible production forest areas have already been logged out, nearly logged out or have already been committed for exploitation. What are left are forests that are in the hinterland and rugged terrain areas.
Capacity Building
In PNG we have limited technical expertise to actually design a national forest inventory based on statistically proven methods. Most of the staff would be able to conduct the fieldwork but would require further training on new techniques of forest sampling.
The key components of capacity building would be in the following areas:
• Interpretation from aerial photo and satellite imageries;
• Sampling design (statistical methods);
• GIS;
• Data processing;
• Reporting.
There are no staff that have had any specialized training in forest assessment such that they could adequately design and undertake a national forest inventory. Nor is there anyone who is competent in the art of interpreting aerial photos and/or satellite images. Most, however, are comfortable in carrying out enumeration when called upon during project specific inventories.
The PNG Forest Authority is working within a very tight budget and training, though recognized as being important, cannot be implemented. We are looking to donor agencies to fund training as and when these needs are identified and as supported by the donors, who seem to have their own agendas on what they choose to fund.
General Issues for Discussion
The Apia workshop is a great opportunity for participants to engage in discussions in relation to the following important matters:
• Regional cooperation;
• Technical support;
• Funding of forest assessment programs;
• Access to remotely sensed data (imageries/digital data);
• Updating of resource information;
• Training.
Forest health and protection
The fire situation in Papua New Guinea
Forest fires are not much of a threat to natural forests but are a real danger to forest plantations. This is particularly so for the pine and eucalyptus plantations. There may have been some major forest fires in prehistoric days but it is hard to find documentation on these. The results of these forest fires are reflected in the vast expanse of grasslands, both in the coastal and highland regions of the country.
PNG experienced one of its driest seasons in 1997 due to the global weather patterns associated with El Nino. There were many fire outbreaks reported in at least five different provinces throughout the country (the Western, Central, Morobe, Eastern Highlands and Madang Provinces). The number could be far greater than this, but the five areas are significant in that some damage was caused in either concessions or existing plantations.
Statistics on the damage caused by the fires are absent as there is no access to aerial photos, satellite images or other means to determine the extent of damage. A crude estimate is that in all the fires approximately 4 000 ha of forest plantations were burned as well as possibly up to 6 000 ha of natural or logged-over forest.
The plantation fires were in the Auracaria and Pinus plantations in the Bulolo/Wau area of the Morobe and Eastern Highlands Provinces and the Eucalyptus and Acacia plantations in Madang Province.
Most if not all these fires (plantation/natural forests) were directly attributed to the actions of man, either through deliberate acts of arson and or as a result of slashing and burning for shifting cultivation.
Firefighting facilities are very limited and only available in the Wau/Bulolo area. These are only comprised of one or two fire trucks, water-packs and other small equipment. Accessibility to the very rugged areas where the fires were burning was limited to walking; thus, not much could be done to prevent the spread of fire.
Fortunately, to date not much damage has been caused to property apart from the trees. No lives have been lost as a result of fighting fires although physical injuries are frequent.
Insects and Diseases
There have been reports of insect and disease affecting forests, especially in plantations. However, due to lack of budget, the Forest Research Institute has had to scale back monitoring of plantations over the years. At this point in time these problems are not significant enough to be considered a threat. Even if significant outbreaks of insects and disease in plantations were detected the PNG Forest Authority is ill prepared to deal with them.
Weather (hurricane, tsunami etc).
Destruction caused by extreme weather, such as hurricanes, is not a significant contributor to the loss of forest cover. Only areas in the southeastern part of the country are frequently exposed to cyclones and the intensities of the cyclones have so far caused relatively minor damage to the natural forests.
The 1998 tsunami in the northern mainland, while being destructive in terms of loss of lives and property (villages, coconut/cocoa plantations), was restricted to the coastal lagoon area. No damage was caused to the forested areas, which are located further inland.
Landslides associated with continuous heavy rain are frequent and result in loss of forests. Unfortunately there are no means to assess the area damaged on an annual basis. Landslides are confined mostly to the rugged highland regions.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are another natural phenomenon that trigger landslides, which ultimately results in loss of forest cover. Again, this is relatively insignificant as compared to other countries. Earthquakes are more of a triggering mechanism and in themselves do little damage to standing trees.
Volcanic Eruptions
The effects of volcanic eruptions, such as the Rabaul eruption, caused mass destruction to mostly agricultural crops such as coconuts and cocoa. Ash from the eruption did cause some degree of damage to forest stands but there have been no studies or assessments conducted to determine the extent of this damage.
Forest Services
Recreation and Tourism
This is a service that is attributed to the existence of natural forests but not fully realized and utilized. There are a small number of foreign tourists who visit to enjoy the forest environment and walk the old World War Two trails. Unfortunately, lawlessness is discouraging tourists from coming into the country on nature expeditions. Sadly, also, citizens are afraid to venture into scenic spots in the forests for fear of being robbed.
Carbon Sequestration
In PNG, carbon sequestration (carbon trade, etc.) has been much talked about but there are no projects established as yet. There is a current proposal being put to the Forest Authority for consideration in regard to carbon sequestration. Two main options have been proposed, reforestation of grasslands and degraded lands and conservation of natural forests.
There are very few experts on the subject in the country and there is a need to seek international assistance to properly evaluate projects being proposed now and in the future. The present proposal is being treated with caution as it may be some tricky means to gain access to log the planted teak stands and natural forests in the proposed project area.
Log Harvest and Export Summary 1993 – 1999
Log harvest
Year |
Volume (m3) |
Royalties (PNG Kina) |
1993 |
3 649 064 |
16 228 854 |
1994 |
3 710 484 |
16 889 497 |
1995 |
2 843 230 |
12 083 800 |
1996 |
3 645 412 |
26 767 985 |
1997 |
3 280 541 |
32 291 338 |
1998 |
1 689 034 |
17 279 301 |
1999 |
2 097 833 |
21 780 937 |
Log exports
Year |
Volume (m3) |
FOB (US$) |
1993 |
2 732 859 |
458 156 445 |
1994 |
2 761 037 |
435 684 924 |
1995 |
2 191 064 |
295 299 567 |
1996 |
2 650 717 |
353 093 295 |
1997 |
3 006 157 |
351 118 626 |
1998 |
1 612 567 |
106 652 307 |
1999 |
1 983 852 |
151 952 894 |
Staffing
Office |
Number |
Managing Director |
6 |
Policy Secretariat |
5 |
Finance and Administration |
16 |
General Manager |
3 |
Forest Planning |
21 |
Corporate Services |
28 |
Resource Development |
158 |
Forest Management (FRI & Bulolo) |
92 |
Reforestation
Province |
Location |
Main Species |
Total area as of December 1997 (ha) | |||
State Plantations | ||||||
Central |
Kuriva |
Teak |
600 | |||
Madang |
North Coast |
E. deglupta A. mangium T. brassii |
900 | |||
Morobe |
Bulolo/Wau |
A. cunninghumii A. hunsteinii P. caribea |
12 000 | |||
Milne Bay |
Sagarai |
A. mangium E. deglupta T. brassii |
1 500 | |||
New Ireland |
Kaut |
E. deglupta Calophyllum spp P. indicus |
250 | |||
E.H.P |
Fayantina Lapegu Kainantu |
P. patula P. patula P. patula |
900 3 200 1 000 | |||
W.H.P |
Waghi |
E. grandis E. robusta E. saligna P. patula |
2 100 | |||
S.H.P |
Orere, Kui, Baino |
P. patula E. robusta |
400 | |||
Subtotal, State Plantations |
22 850 | |||||
Private Plantations | ||||||
Madang |
Gogol , Naru |
E. deglupta A. mangium T. brassii |
10 745 | |||
E.N.B |
Open Bay |
E. deglupta T. brassii A. mangium |
12 004 | |||
Keravat |
T. grandis E. deglupta O. lagopus |
1 900 | ||||
W.N.B |
Stettin Bay |
E. deglupta T. brassii A. mangium O. sumatrana |
10 258 | |||
Central |
Brown River |
T. grandis |
1 200 | |||
Subtotal, Private Plantations |
36 107 | |||||
GRAND TOTAL, ALL PLANTATIONS |
58 957 | |||||
Mette Wilkie, FAO, gave this presentation. See page 65 for the full text.
The day’s presentations were summarised by Robert Davis
