Forest Degradation News

A presentation was made during UNFCCC SBSTA, in June 2009 on the “Assessment and Monitoring of Forest Degradation”. [click here] 

A new brochure describes the challenge of Measuring Forest Degradation and explains the special study to identify the elements of forest degradation and the best practices for assessing them. [click here] 

Assessment and Monitoring of Forest Degradation

Members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) and other partners are undertaking a special study on forest degradation to identify the parameters of forest degradation and the best practices for assessing them.

Meetings on this subject

Background

Forest degradation features prominently in recent objectives, goals and targets related to forests:

• UNFF Global Objective 1. Reverse the loss of forest cover and increase efforts to prevent forest degradation.
• UNFCCC - Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in developing countries.
• 2010 Biodiversity Target of the Convention on Biological Diversity includes an indicator on ecosystem fragmentation and connectivity.

These entail the assessment and monitoring of forest degradation.   Yet, there is no globally agreed, operational definition of forest degradation or degraded forests and perceptions vary greatly depending on the main point of interest (biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, wood production, soil conservation or recreation for example).  Definitions related to forest degradation and its associated terms are many and varied, depending on the driver of degradation and the point of interest.

The following core definition, adopted by international forest-related organizations, represents a common ground, but it is not operational and few countries are currently able to report on the area of degraded forests or the degree of forest degradation:

Forest degradation is the reduction of the capacity of a forest to provide goods and services.

(FAO, 2002)

Objectives

The purpose of the CPF initiative is to help strengthen the capacity of countries to assess, monitor and report on forest degradation by:

• Identifying specific elements and indicators of forest degradation and degraded forests
• Classification of elements and harmonization of definitions
• Identifying and describing existing and promising methodologies for assessing these

• Developing assessment tools and disseminating guidelines to countries

Approach

The process includes:

• A survey of the existing country practices: to see what is being measured
• An analytical study on definitions: to provide a framework for the process
• A series of case studies: to describe proven or promising methodologies and tools for assessing different aspects of forest degradation

• A technical meeting: to review the results and make action recommendations to improve measurement, assessment and reporting on forest degradation

Expected Outcomes and Benefits

• Increased awareness of the many facets of "forest degradation" considering different view points
• An analysis of definitions of forest degradation and associated terms
• Guidelines that provide effective and cost efficient tools and techniques to help assess and monitor forest degradation
• Enhanced ability to meet current and future reporting requirements on forest degradation

Measuring Forest Degradation - some specific considerations

Forests may be degraded in terms of loss of biodiversity, forest health, productive or protective potential or socio-economic and cultural values.  By using the seven thematic elements of sustainable forest management and considering the multifunctionality of forest management, the initiative will identify suitable indicators to assess the degree of degradation of a forest at different management scales.

Forest degradation and climate change: The REDD discussions within the UNFCCC focus on establishing methodologies that can measure reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.  A number of initiatives are under way to determine the best way to measure both historical and future rates of degradation.  The CPF process is planned to consolidate these initiatives through a joint effort.

Key Milestones 2009 

June:               Side event at UNFCCC-SBSTA to increase awareness about the initiative

September:      Technical Meeting to review case studies and methodologies

October:          Special session at World Forestry Congress

December:      Side event at UNFCCC COP 15 to present results

Partners

• Governments and National Institutions
• Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
• United Nations Development Programme
• Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests
• Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
• United Nations Environmental Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre
• International Tropical Timber Organization
• International Union for the Conservation of Nature
• Centre for International Forestry Research
• International Union of Forest Research Organizations
• Members of the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership
• United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries - UN-REDD
• United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation

• Land Degradation Assessment Project (LADA)

For more information

Please contact us directly: fra@fao.org                                  

Mailing Address:

Global Forest Resources Assessment Programme, Forestry Dept.,  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,  Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome 00153 Italy 

Tel: +39 06-5705-4451           Fax: +39 06-5705-5137