Monitoring tools
The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture has adopted targets, indicators and verifiers for forest genetic resources to be used as assessment tools for monitoring the implementation of the Global Plan of Action. They were developed by FAO in consultation with the National Focal Points on forest genetic resources and the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Forest Genetic Resources. The targets specify objectives for countries and the indicators track the progress made.
The targets (8), indicators (20) and verifiers (32) are divided into two sets; the first one monitors the responses of countries to the Global Plan of Action, and the second one assesses the state of conservation, use and development of forest genetic resources. The targets and indicators were formulated based on the broader needs and actions identified at the level of priority areas in the Global Plan of Action and they focus on actions that need to be carried out at the national level. Regional and/or sub-regional networks on forest genetic resources and relevant international organizations are invited by FAO to prepare separate reports on their contributions to the implementation of the Global Plan of Action at the regional and global levels, respectively.
Targets, indicators and verifiers for forest genetic resources (FGR). The reporting can be based on data collected at national and/or sub-national level, recognizing that some countries may not have national level systems in place but that they may be at a sub-national level.
Policy responses of countries to the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Development of FGR
| Target A.1: Availability of data and information on FGR is increased | Indicator A.1.1: Extent of national FGR inventories or similar arrangements | Verifier A.1.1.1: Number and list of countries with operational national FGR inventories or similar arrangements |
| Indicator A.1.2: Extent of up-to-date national FGR information systems | Verifier A.1.2.1: Number and list of countries with up-to-date national FGR information system(s) or other similar arrangements | |
| Target A.2: National in situ and ex situ systems for FGR conservation are strengthened | Indicator A.2.1: Extent of national in situ conservation systems | Verifier A.2.1.1: Number and list of countries with operational national in situ conservation systems |
| Indicator A.2.2:Extent of national ex situ conservation systems | Verifier A.2.2.1: Number and list of countries with operational national ex situ conservation systems | |
| Target A.3: Tree seed and breeding programmes, as well as extension efforts on FGR use, are reinforced, including for conservation collections | Indicator A.3.1: Extent of national tree seed programmes | Verifier A.3.1.1: Number and list of countries with operational national tree seed programmes or similar arrangements |
| Indicator A.3.2: Extent of tree breeding programmes | Verifier A.3.2.1: Number and list of countries with operational tree breeding programmes | |
| Indicator A.3.3: Extent of extension efforts promoting appropriate use of FGR | Verifier A.3.3.1: Number and list of countries with ongoing extension programmes or activities on FGR use | |
| Target A.4: National coordination mechanisms on FGR are created, and national strategies for FGR conservation and use are developed and implemented | Indicator A.4.1: Extent of national coordination mechanisms on FGR | Verifier A.4.1.1: Number and list of countries with national coordination mechanisms on FGR |
| Indicator A.4.2: Extent of national strategies for FGR conservation and use | Verifier A.4.2.1: Number and list of countries implementing national strategies for FGR conservation and use | |
| Indicator A.4.3: Extent to which national strategies contribute to the implementation of regional or subregional FGR conservation strategies | Verifier A.4.3.1: Number and list of countries whose national strategy contributes to the implementation of regional or subregional FGR conservation strategy |
State of conservation, use and development of FGR
| Target B.1: FGR are regularly assessed and characterized | Indicator B.1.1: Assessment of FGR | Verifier B.1.1.1: Number and list of species for which an up to date national distribution range is available |
| Indicator B.1.2: Characterization of FGR | Verifier B.1.2.1: Number and list of species that have been characterized based on non-molecular information (e.g. provenance trials, ecological or climatic zonation) Verifier B.1.2.2: Number and list of species that have been characterized based on molecular information (e.g. range-wide sampling of populations for molecular marker studies) | |
| Target B.2: FGR are conserved in situ, and complementary ex situ measures have been implemented | Indicator B.2.1: Amount of FGR conserved in situ | Verifier B.2.1.1: Number and list of species included in in situ conservation programmes Verifier B.2.1.2: Number of in situ conservation units by species Verifier B.2.1.3: Area (ha) designated and managed for in situ conservation by species |
| Indicator B.2.2: Amount of FGR conserved ex situ | Verifier B.2.2.1: Number and list of species included in ex situ conservation programmes Verifier B.2.2.2: Number of ex situ conservation units by species Verifier B.2.2.3: Area (ha) designated and managed for ex situ conservation by species Verifier B.2.2.4: Number of ex situ accessions (in seed and clone banks) by species | |
| Target B.3: Use and development of FGR are enhanced | Indicator B.3.1: Species included in tree seed and breeding programmes (including international breeding cooperation and efforts carried out by the private sector) | Verifier B.3.1.1: Number and list of species included in national tree seed programmes Verifier B.3.1.2: Number and list of species included in tree breeding programmes |
| Indicator B.3.2: Production of forest reproductive material | Verifier B.3.2.1: Area (ha) and number of seed stands by species Verifier B.3.2.2: Area (ha) and number of seed orchards by species Verifier B.3.2.3: Amount (average number per year) of planting stock produced through macro and micropropagation by species | |
| Indicator B.3.3: State of tree breeding programmes | Verifier B.3.3.1: Testing and selection cycle (by generation number) by species | |
| Target B.4: Policies and capacities supporting FGR conservation and sustainable use are strengthened | Indicator B.4.1: Integration of FGR conservation and use into relevant national policies | Verifier B.4.1.1: Number of countries that have integrated FGR conservation and use into their national forest programme and/or national forest policy Verifier B.4.1.2: Number of countries that have integrated FGR conservation and use into their national biodiversity action plans and/or related policies Verifier B.4.1.3: Number of countries that have integrated FGR conservation and use into their national adaptation strategies for climate change |
| Indicator B.4.2: Participation in regional/subregional collaboration on FGR | Verifier B.4.2.1: Number of countries participating in regional/subregional networks on FGR Indicator B.4.3: Participation in international research and development cooperation on FGR | |
| Indicator B.4.3: Participation in international research and development cooperation on FGR | Verifier B.4.3.1: Number of countries and national organizations participating in international R&D cooperation on FGR |