The objective of the species component of FRA 2000 was to provide an initial indication of the national importance of forests to the maintenance of biological diversity. Studies were undertaken in this project to gather information on the number and names of species within defined taxonomic/habit groups, according to threat status, endemism and forest occurrence.
Data were only comprehensive for all the taxonomic/habit groups studied, for the category of threatened single country endemics. The numbers and names of these species are included in this report. Difficulties in compiling the data for each group are discussed. Ferns are considered to be the most relevant group to focus on in the future in terms of indicators of the importance of forests to the maintenance of biological diversity.
Proposals are made to extend this desk study to include verification of the data by each country and collation of more detailed distribution data. Analyses of data on threatened forest occurring single country endemic species in relation to forest loss, forest area and forest protection will provide an indication of forest areas of particular importance for species conservation. Conversely, these analyses will indicate those species in most urgent need of conservation measures.
