Reliable data on ownership status on this page provides information on the distribution of forest by ownership categories and the property rights on forest resources defined by law. As this factors strongly influence sivilcultural treatment, if any, and wood supply potential, this type of information is a crucial element in policy formulation determining the boundaries and location of the authority and control over forest and tree resources. For more additional information on related data, data gathering and treatment methods as well as definitions, please refer to the following data sources.

Data source:
Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005 (FRA 2005)
The information about ownership in the forest sector is gathered by the FRA 2005. The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005 was carried out between 2003 and 2005 and involved more than 800 people, including 172 officially nominated national correspondents, their colleagues, an Advisory Group, international experts, FAO staff, consultants and volunteers from around the world. Information has been collated from 229 countries and territories for three points in time: 1990, 2000 and 2005. FRA 2005 is the most comprehensive assessment of forests and forestry to date. It examines the current status and recent trends for about 40 variables covering the extent, condition, uses and values of forests and other wooded land, with the aim of assessing all benefits from forest resources. The results are presented according to six thematic elements of sustainable forest management.The mandate to carry out these assessments stems both from the basic statutes of FAO, and the Committee on Forestry (COFO).

The information about Property rights on forest resources could not be provided by already established online networks of national correspondents or hardcopy publications therefore the information was gathered with the help of specifically chosen national experts.

Definition for ownership