FRA2000

Introduction

The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 (FRA 2000) provides a comprehensive and up-to-date view of the world¿s forest resources at the end of the second millennium. It is the result of the collective efforts of the countries of the world. This major undertaking was based primarily on information provided by the countries, supplemented by state-of-the-art technology to verify and analyse the information and to make the results accessible to the world through the Internet.

The FRA 2000 process emphasized collaboration and transparency. Special efforts were made to transfer technology to, and increase the capability of, countries that lack adequate capacity to assess their own forest resources. Extensive consultations were carried out with experts and partnerships were forged with leading institutions from both developing and industrialized countries.

The information and knowledge provided by countries constitutes the backbone of FRA 2000. Of the 213 countries and areas represented in the assessment, 160 participated actively in the information gathering and analysis. Countries that participated fully in the assessment are perhaps best able to appreciate its importance in supporting the development of policies and programmes aimed at the management, conservation and sustainable development of their forest resources.

Processes

FRA 2000 used the following approaches:

• full participation by countries in the collection, analysis and validation of data;



• capacity building at the national, subregional and regional levels;



• a remote sensing survey of forest resources in tropical countries;



• global mapping of forest cover and ecological zones;



• development of an integrated forest information system;



• participation of internationally recognized experts in all phases;



• partnerships with leading international institutions;



• comprehensive worldwide information dissemination using print media and the Internet.

Parameters

The following parameters were included in the assessment:

• forest area and change in forest area;



• wood volume and above-ground woody biomass;



• forest plantations;



• trees outside the forest;



• biological diversity;



• areas under forest management;



• area of forests in protected areas;



• number and extent of forest fires;



• wood supply and removals;



• non-wood forest products;



• classification and mapping of forest by ecological zones.