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The main objectives of this assessment were: (i) to provide reliable and regionally consistent
information on the state of forests in developing countries in the Mediterranean zone in 1990
and the rates of change during the period 1981 to 1990 and (ii) to study the process of
deforestation and forest degradation and their environmental implications. |
The basic data for the assessment which covers 18 countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain,
Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) were collected from bibliographical
investigation, completed by two questionnaires, and missions of experts sent to five counties in
the zone. |
The statistical information on forest area cover - natural forest, other wooded land, plantations
(afforestation and reforestation) - growing stock, and deforestation and forest degradation
factors (human population, livestock, wood consumption, forest fires) were compiled and
incorporated into the FAO database (FORIS - Forest Resources Information System). The
collected data - at sub-national level whenever possible - were used to estimate forest cover area
at the end of 1990 and the rates of change in the course of the 10 years from 1981 to 1990. |
Statistical studies at sub-national level for the countries of the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco,
Tunisia) showed certain correlations between the rate of forest cover, the bioclimatic zone and
population density: the rate of forest cover is all the greater as the bioclimatic zone becomes
more moist, and it is inversely proportional to population density. In addition, the
correlation between the rate of forest cover and rural population density is higher in mountain
moist forest zones. |
The total natural forest area in the North African and Near East countries covered in the
assessment was 5,655,000 ha and 3,339,000 ha, respectively, that is only 0.8 per cent of the
total land area. |
The annual rate of deforestation between 1981 and 1990 is -1.1 per cent (114,400 ha), and
is thus higher than the rate in tropical countries (-0.8 per cent) over the same period. |
Plantations have partially compensated for this deforestation with 104,000 ha planted annually
between 1981 and 1990, an average annual growth rate of 6.4 per cent. |
Deforestation and forest degradation are due to very strong demographic pressure -3 per cent
average annual rate of population growth between 1981 and 1990 - to which one must add
forest overgrazing and wood depletion (fuel wood, charcoal, construction wood) which exceed
possible planting. The rate of depletion of forest resources frequently exceeds two or three
times the forests' annual biological production capacity. |
In order to check this process, only long term political decisions, taken with the accord of all
forest resource users, will enable the current forest area (0.8 per cent of the total area of the
lands) to be brought progressively back to its potential area (15 per cent), so that economic
needs (reduced wood imports), environmental needs (preserving biodiversity, fighting erosion
and desertification), and security of food supply may all be better served. Implementing the
Mediterranean Forest Action Programme, the regional conceptual framework for national
forestry planning and policies and for strengthening the support of international cooperation in
this area, should contribute towards a progressive improvement in the region's forest resources. |