FAO strengthens The Bahamas' National Forest Inventory through digital data collection training

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Forestry Unit of The Bahamas, has successfully concluded a comprehensive training series aimed at strengthening the technical capacity of forestry personnel in National Forest Inventory (NFI) data collection using Android mobile devices and the Silva Metricus mobile application.

Delivered from 17-24 July 2026, the training combined a virtual session with five days of intensive in-person instruction and field practice, equipping participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to modernize forest inventory data collection across The Bahamas. It included hands-on experience in forest inventory methodologies, field data collection techniques, and the use of the Silva Metricus application for data entry and management.

The workshop forms part of the GCF-funded project, “Preparation of Strategic Framework to Reduce Deforestation and Forest Degradation in The Bahamas”, which supports the country's efforts to strengthen forest monitoring systems and improve the availability of reliable data for sustainable forest management and climate reporting. The National Forest Inventory will collect both biophysical and socioeconomic information from sampling units across Abaco, Acklins and Andros, providing critical evidence to inform national decision-making.

Throughout the training, participants gained a detailed understanding of the National Forest Inventory methodology while learning to install, configure and operate the Silva Metricus application on Android devices. Practical exercises enabled participants to capture field data electronically, manage mobile databases, import information into the central database and perform quality assurance checks and basic data analyses.

For the field component, participants collected data across pine, mangrove and coppice forest ecosystems, where they established and measured sampling units using mobile technology. The practical sessions reinforced best practices in digital data collection while familiarizing participants with procedures that improve data accuracy, consistency and efficiency.

By replacing traditional paper-based methods with mobile technology, the National Forest Inventory process is expected to reduce data entry errors through real-time validation, eliminate the need for duplicate data transcription and improve the overall quality and timeliness of forest information. These improvements will enhance the country's capacity to monitor forest resources, support evidence-based policy development and strengthen transparency in reporting on forests and land use.

Highlighting the importance of investing in people alongside technology, FAO Representative for Jamaica, The Bahamas and Belize, Dr. Ana Touza, stated that "Reliable forest data is the foundation of sustainable forest management and effective climate action. By investing in digital tools and strengthening national technical capacity, The Bahamas is building a more efficient and robust National Forest Inventory that will support evidence-based decision-making and help conserve the country's valuable forest ecosystems for generations to come."

The training brought together forestry technicians, consultants supporting the National Forest Inventory, Forestry Unit personnel and FAO staff, fostering a shared understanding of standardized field procedures and digital data management. Participants concluded the workshop with strengthened technical competencies and practical experience that will directly support the implementation of the National Forest Inventory across The Bahamas.