APPENDIX 2: PILOT STUDY OPTIONS AND RESULTS OF RANKING EXERCISE

Ratings: 4 = very important; 3 = important; 2 = limited importance; 1 = not important

FOREST RESOURCES LANDUSE CHANGE

Ranking

Review of management regimes in tropical forests: This study might examine the impacts on forests, and land-use changes that are promoted, by various specified forest management regimes. It could develop a methodology for periodic site surveys to examine changes in the forest and land uses.

24

Rapid appraisal techniques on forest condition in tropical forests: This study might develop methodologies to enable rapid appraisal of forest conditions and degradation across a large number of sites.

29

Monitoring forest regeneration in South and Southeast Asia: Much attention focuses on deforestation, however, there is often little or no measurement of regenerating forest areas. This study could develop methodologies for identification and measurement of regenerating forest areas.

29

Monitoring tropical forest ecosystem health and vitality: This is a common Indicator of sustainable forest management. This study would develop quantitative measures and methodologies to enable reporting against the indicator.

21

Assessing forests for diminished biological components indicative of ecosystem degradation: Again, this is a common Indicator of sustainable forest management. This study would develop quantitative measures and methodologies to enable reporting against the indicator.

23

Measuring and categorising erosion on forestland: Soil erosion is often associated with forest degradation or deforestation. This study could develop survey techniques to measure the incidence of erosion, and changes in the incidence over time.

17

Suggestions

Changes in land use due to anthropogenic process.

Resource security is the issue. Has been addressed and relevant information collected.

Look more closely at pilot studies - relevant methodologies.

N.B. Bangladesh. Surveys and data collection are very limited, inventories data collection and other surveys should be done periodically.

FOREST PLANTATIONS

Ranking

Translating nursery production to plantation establishment: Nursery surveys provide an easy measure of plantation establishment rates. This study could develop a nursery survey methodology and system, as well as systems for estimating establishment rates from nursery production.

20

Measuring mortality rates in forest plantations: Often little data is collected at national levels on rates of success in plantation establishment. Often, if new planting dies, or has very low success rates, this is not incorporated in national statistics. This study could address this issue.

25

Developing a rapid appraisal system for national plantation forest: This study would develop methodologies for rapidly improving the accuracy of national plantation statistics. Could include surveys, GIS mapping, or improved institutional liaison.

28

Surveying management regimes in plantation forests: Little data is available at national levels regarding plans for plantation management by private sector e.g. planned rotations, expected and actual yields. This study would develop survey methodologies.

24

Predicting plantation forest wood flows: This study would develop modeling techniques to better predict future plantation production, based on national or sub-national datasets.

21

Measuring biological diversity in forest plantations: Biodiversity is a key Indicator for SFM. This study could develop methodologies to measure plantation biodiversity.

17

Suggestions

Development of techniques to assess the success of failure of forest plantations.

WOOD SUPPLY POTENTIAL

Measuring harvesting residue volumes in tropical forests: Harvest residues provide an important potential source of additional wood. This study would examine availability of residue volumes and potential for making these available to potential users.

26

Utilisation and waste of wood processing residues: This, slightly different study could examine volumes, and rates of utilisation, of processing residues in countries, as well as how residues are being used.

23

Deriving national conversion efficiency ratios for processing facilities: Little information is available at national levels on the relative efficiency of processing facilities. Developing better estimators of conversion efficiency will enable better estimates of roundwood volumes actually being processed.

19

Measuring harvesting intensities in tropical forests: Harvesting intensity measures the volume actually removed from the forest (per hectare) within one cutting cycle. Developing national measures are an important aid to modeling wood supplies.

27

Surveying land ownership of log sources: Collecting data on where logs are sourced from assists in wood supply planning. This study could develop methodologies to identify log sources.

25

Estimating "unmeasured" household consumption of industrial logs and poles: In many countries there is significant, but unmeasured agricultural and household use of logs and poles. This study could develop surveys to quantify this use.

24

Surveying recycling systems (formal and informal) for forest products: Recycling provides an important source of supplementary fibre, though in many countries it is not measured, or large parts escape measurement systems. Methodologies could be developed to address this.

17

Specific inventory type work in natural forests: a variety of studies could assist in developing better inventory methodologies.

25

Examining impacts of changes in the nature of wood supplies (log sizes and species): The changing composition of forest harvests (e.g. shortages of large logs) have important consequences for the forest processing industry. Many studies could be developed around these issues.

24

Examining the impacts of new techniques, such as reduced impact logging, on wood supplies: The impacts of widespread implementation of new techniques, such as RIL, or even definitions of SFM have significant but poorly understood implications for wood supply patterns. A variety of studies could be implemented.

25

Suggestions

Methods of transporting logging wastes in an efficient manner be examined. Efficient transportation is still the main problem, the utilisation of such waste is still small.

FUELWOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

Investigating local sources of woodfuel: Identifying local sources of woodfuel is important for wood energy planning. Methodologies could be developed or improved for this type of assessment.

24

Measuring the impact of woodfuel harvesting on forests and woodlands: This type of study could assess the implications for SFM of woodfuel harvesting in forests and woodlands.

20

Measuring the impact of woodfuel harvesting on trees outside forests: This type of study could assess the implications of woodfuel harvesting on agricultural trees.

18

Estimating annual woodfuel substitution by other energy sources: This type of study could investigate changes in woodfuel consumption patterns.

14

Assessment of recovered and recycled wood available for fuel: This study could assess the importance of residues and recycled wood as a fuel source.

15

Measuring the impact of woodfuel harvesting on protected areas and reserved forests: Protected areas are often not immune from household harvesting of wood for fuel. In some countries these impacts are significant and assessment of the impacts may be valuable.

17

Suggestions:

Other sources of biomass (e.g. weeds, agricultural residues)

TREES OUTSIDE FORESTS

Developing an inventory classification for trees outside forests: In many countries, little work has been done to assess the Trees outside forests resource. Development of appropriate classification systems may be required.

27

Inventory sampling techniques for measuring trees outside forests: In many countries, little work has been done to assess the Trees outside forests resource. Development of appropriate assessment procedures may be required.

29

Reviewing the effectiveness of cartographic documents to assess ToF resources in Southeast and South Asia: Aerial photographs, and other mapping tools may offer means of assessing the magnitude of trees outside forests. This study could examine the viability of using these.

24

Identification of agro-ecological zones and classification of land management systems in zone: Little work has been done to assess the impacts of land uses on the trees outside forests resource. This study would investigate methods of ordering and classifying different land management systems.

20

Suggestions:

What could be included in TOF (e.g. mangos, chard palm and other species)

NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS

Local surveys of NWFP dependencies and consumption: This study would be an extension of varying efforts to monitor production and consumption of specific NWFPs.

26

Formal and informal markets for NWFPs: This study would investigate the importance of various systems for trading specific NWFPs.

25

Assessing sustainable harvest levels for NWFPs: Little work has been carried out on the sustainable management of many NWFP resources. This study could investigate issues of sustainability for specific NWFPs.

30

Assessing the value of economic contributions by NWFPs: For many NWFPs their value to local and national economies is poorly understood. This study would develop survey assessment techniques for this economic contribution.

29

Market pricing surveys for NWFPs: Where NWFPs are traded there is generally little price data available in the public domain. This study would develop methodologies for collecting price information.

24

Suggestions

Non-wood forest products inventory.

DATA SYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF SFM

Establishing a GIS-based referencing system for forest resource data: This study would examine prospects for combining map and forest attribute data (generally as a database) within a GIS and geo-referenced to (i.e. projected to ) a national co-ordinate grid system.

36

Suggestions:

We need to address this issue more vigorously. How are we going to manage this information?

Integration of GIS with MIS.

E.g. Forest cover and area change, fire. E.g. Bhutan habitat mapping.

Matching C&I and data gaps to GIS

Recording forest management decisions and actions at the stand level.

Constrained by systems in place in countries.

FOREST RESOURCES LANDUSE CHANGE	Ranking
Review of management regimes in tropical forests: This study might examine the impacts on forests, and land-use changes that are promoted, by various specified forest management regimes. It could develop a methodology for periodic site surveys to examine changes in the forest and land uses.	24
Rapid appraisal techniques on forest condition in tropical forests: This study might develop methodologies to enable rapid appraisal of forest conditions and degradation across a large number of sites.	29
Monitoring forest regeneration in South and Southeast Asia: Much attention focuses on deforestation, however, there is often little or no measurement of regenerating forest areas. This study could develop methodologies for identification and measurement of regenerating forest areas.	29
Monitoring tropical forest ecosystem health and vitality: This is a common Indicator of sustainable forest management. This study would develop quantitative measures and methodologies to enable reporting against the indicator.	21
Assessing forests for diminished biological components indicative of ecosystem degradation: Again, this is a common Indicator of sustainable forest management. This study would develop quantitative measures and methodologies to enable reporting against the indicator.	23
Measuring and categorising erosion on forestland: Soil erosion is often associated with forest degradation or deforestation. This study could develop survey techniques to measure the incidence of erosion, and changes in the incidence over time.	17
Suggestions Changes in land use due to anthropogenic process. Resource security is the issue. Has been addressed and relevant information collected. Look more closely at pilot studies - relevant methodologies. N.B. Bangladesh. Surveys and data collection are very limited, inventories data collection and other surveys should be done periodically.

FOREST PLANTATIONS	Ranking
Translating nursery production to plantation establishment: Nursery surveys provide an easy measure of plantation establishment rates. This study could develop a nursery survey methodology and system, as well as systems for estimating establishment rates from nursery production.	20
Measuring mortality rates in forest plantations: Often little data is collected at national levels on rates of success in plantation establishment. Often, if new planting dies, or has very low success rates, this is not incorporated in national statistics. This study could address this issue.	25
Developing a rapid appraisal system for national plantation forest: This study would develop methodologies for rapidly improving the accuracy of national plantation statistics. Could include surveys, GIS mapping, or improved institutional liaison.	28
Surveying management regimes in plantation forests: Little data is available at national levels regarding plans for plantation management by private sector e.g. planned rotations, expected and actual yields. This study would develop survey methodologies.	24
Predicting plantation forest wood flows: This study would develop modeling techniques to better predict future plantation production, based on national or sub-national datasets.	21
Measuring biological diversity in forest plantations: Biodiversity is a key Indicator for SFM. This study could develop methodologies to measure plantation biodiversity.	17
Suggestions Development of techniques to assess the success of failure of forest plantations.
WOOD SUPPLY POTENTIAL
Measuring harvesting residue volumes in tropical forests: Harvest residues provide an important potential source of additional wood. This study would examine availability of residue volumes and potential for making these available to potential users.	26
Utilisation and waste of wood processing residues: This, slightly different study could examine volumes, and rates of utilisation, of processing residues in countries, as well as how residues are being used.	23
Deriving national conversion efficiency ratios for processing facilities: Little information is available at national levels on the relative efficiency of processing facilities. Developing better estimators of conversion efficiency will enable better estimates of roundwood volumes actually being processed.	19
Measuring harvesting intensities in tropical forests: Harvesting intensity measures the volume actually removed from the forest (per hectare) within one cutting cycle. Developing national measures are an important aid to modeling wood supplies.	27
Surveying land ownership of log sources: Collecting data on where logs are sourced from assists in wood supply planning. This study could develop methodologies to identify log sources.	25
Estimating "unmeasured" household consumption of industrial logs and poles: In many countries there is significant, but unmeasured agricultural and household use of logs and poles. This study could develop surveys to quantify this use.	24
Surveying recycling systems (formal and informal) for forest products: Recycling provides an important source of supplementary fibre, though in many countries it is not measured, or large parts escape measurement systems. Methodologies could be developed to address this.	17
Specific inventory type work in natural forests: a variety of studies could assist in developing better inventory methodologies.	25
Examining impacts of changes in the nature of wood supplies (log sizes and species): The changing composition of forest harvests (e.g. shortages of large logs) have important consequences for the forest processing industry. Many studies could be developed around these issues.	24
Examining the impacts of new techniques, such as reduced impact logging, on wood supplies: The impacts of widespread implementation of new techniques, such as RIL, or even definitions of SFM have significant but poorly understood implications for wood supply patterns. A variety of studies could be implemented.	25
Suggestions Methods of transporting logging wastes in an efficient manner be examined. Efficient transportation is still the main problem, the utilisation of such waste is still small.

FUELWOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
Investigating local sources of woodfuel: Identifying local sources of woodfuel is important for wood energy planning. Methodologies could be developed or improved for this type of assessment.	24
Measuring the impact of woodfuel harvesting on forests and woodlands: This type of study could assess the implications for SFM of woodfuel harvesting in forests and woodlands.	20
Measuring the impact of woodfuel harvesting on trees outside forests: This type of study could assess the implications of woodfuel harvesting on agricultural trees.	18
Estimating annual woodfuel substitution by other energy sources: This type of study could investigate changes in woodfuel consumption patterns.	14
Assessment of recovered and recycled wood available for fuel: This study could assess the importance of residues and recycled wood as a fuel source.	15
Measuring the impact of woodfuel harvesting on protected areas and reserved forests: Protected areas are often not immune from household harvesting of wood for fuel. In some countries these impacts are significant and assessment of the impacts may be valuable.	17
Suggestions: Other sources of biomass (e.g. weeds, agricultural residues)
TREES OUTSIDE FORESTS
Developing an inventory classification for trees outside forests: In many countries, little work has been done to assess the Trees outside forests resource. Development of appropriate classification systems may be required.	27
Inventory sampling techniques for measuring trees outside forests: In many countries, little work has been done to assess the Trees outside forests resource. Development of appropriate assessment procedures may be required.	29
Reviewing the effectiveness of cartographic documents to assess ToF resources in Southeast and South Asia: Aerial photographs, and other mapping tools may offer means of assessing the magnitude of trees outside forests. This study could examine the viability of using these.	24
Identification of agro-ecological zones and classification of land management systems in zone: Little work has been done to assess the impacts of land uses on the trees outside forests resource. This study would investigate methods of ordering and classifying different land management systems.	20
Suggestions: What could be included in TOF (e.g. mangos, chard palm and other species)
NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS
Local surveys of NWFP dependencies and consumption: This study would be an extension of varying efforts to monitor production and consumption of specific NWFPs.	26
Formal and informal markets for NWFPs: This study would investigate the importance of various systems for trading specific NWFPs.	25
Assessing sustainable harvest levels for NWFPs: Little work has been carried out on the sustainable management of many NWFP resources. This study could investigate issues of sustainability for specific NWFPs.	30
Assessing the value of economic contributions by NWFPs: For many NWFPs their value to local and national economies is poorly understood. This study would develop survey assessment techniques for this economic contribution.	29
Market pricing surveys for NWFPs: Where NWFPs are traded there is generally little price data available in the public domain. This study would develop methodologies for collecting price information.	24
Suggestions Non-wood forest products inventory.
DATA SYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF SFM
Establishing a GIS-based referencing system for forest resource data: This study would examine prospects for combining map and forest attribute data (generally as a database) within a GIS and geo-referenced to (i.e. projected to ) a national co-ordinate grid system.	36
Suggestions: We need to address this issue more vigorously. How are we going to manage this information? Integration of GIS with MIS. E.g. Forest cover and area change, fire. E.g. Bhutan habitat mapping. Matching C&I and data gaps to GIS Recording forest management decisions and actions at the stand level. Constrained by systems in place in countries.