Management. FAO promotes the sustainable management of forests by placing technical expertise in forestry at the disposa
FAO and the Global Environment
Design: Maxtudio, Roma/NYC
Sustainable Forest Management
Applying the ecosystem approach to forests Forests are among the world’s most complex ecosystems, covering about 30 percent of the global land area and containing most of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and more carbon than in the atmosphere. Forests are vital for rural livelihoods, biodiversity, climate mitigation, energy supply, soil and water protection. In addition, woodlands and trees outside forests are especially important in arid zones and other fragile ecosystems. Forests contribute significantly to the overall global energy supply – particularly in rural areas – as well as provide building material and paper products. Non-wood forest products, including food, fodder and medicines, critically support hundreds of millions of people, and provide essential ingredients for many more. Cultural, spiritual and recreational values of forests and trees are appreciated everywhere.
In spite of awareness of the crucial importance of forests, each year some 13 million ha of forest area – an area the size of Greece – are converted, mainly to agriculture. While this loss is somewhat offset by 5.7 million ha of new forest growth annually, the earth is still losing some 200 km2 of forests each day. Because of human pressure on forests and forest land, we are losing biodiversity, degrading forests, land and water, and emitting considerable amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. The greatest threats to the world’s forests are found in developing countries in tropical ecosystems. The highest rates of deforestation tend to occur in poor countries with weak institutions and limited financial resources. For example, in Africa more than 80 percent of the wood removed from forests is not used for commercial purposes, but rather it is burned for heating and cooking. The goal of sustainable forest management is to ensure that the significant benefits of forests are made available to the people who live in the forest or who rely on forests for their
livelihoods, while at the same time conserving vital forest resources. Forests are essential for providing clean water, sequestering carbon, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing the livelihoods and food security of people who depend on forests and forest products. Sustainable forest management is the ultimate goal of forestry and is entirely consistent with the “ecosystem approach”. Both concepts are based on the broad consideration of environmental, social and cultural dimensions in a holistic manner when developing policies and plans for managing and conserving resources. But there is a difference – sustainable forest management being focused only on forests and other wooded lands – and hence there is usually a more detailed consideration of all these factors.
FAO contribution to Sustainable Forest Management FAO promotes the sustainable management of forests by placing technical expertise in forestry at the disposal of member countries through field projects. The close
Integrated Management of the Fouta Djallon Highlands Often called the “water tower of West Africa”, the Fouta Djallon Highlands (FDH) are a series of high plateaux concentrated in the central part of the Republic of Guinea. They are the source area of a large and diverse natural water network of 8 000 springs and 15 rivers that extends into ten West African countries, namely Benin, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Six of the most important rivers in West Africa (Niger, Senegal, Gambia, Kaba, Kolenté and Koliba) receive more than 70 percent of their waters from the Highlands. Current pressures from desertification, land degradation and unplanned development in the highlands pose serious threats to these major river systems, biological diversity and the productive potential of natural resources. FAO, in partnership with the African Union, UNEP, GEF and other development partners, is implementing a longterm, ten-year, US$43 million programme to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of the natural resources of the FDH. A regional legal and institutional framework will be established to facilitate regional collaboration in the management of the FDH, strengthen national capacities, and develop, test and replicate community-based sustainable land management models.
relationship between norm-setting and field activities engenders a two-way flow of information and enhances on-the-ground activities. FAO assists countries in developing policies and planning strategies for managing and protecting their forests. FAO is committed to building partnerships to generate knowledge and enabling conditions needed for the effective implementation of sustainable forest management in all countries.
Partnerships to bring focus to global sustainable forestry efforts FAO increasingly carries out its work in forestry through partnerships. Examples include:
Collaborative Partnerships on Forests FAO chairs the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), bringing together 14 major forest-related international organizations, institutions and convention secretariats (including GEF) to support the implementation of sustainable forest management. CPF organizations are committed to harmonizing work and reducing duplication among partner organizations. National Forest Programme Facility FAO hosts the National Forest Programme Facility, a multidonor partnership that focuses on providing support to grass-roots NGOs in developing countries with a goal of increasing participation in all levels of decision-making about forests.
Regional Forestry Commissions and the Committee on Forestry FAO organizes six Regional Forestry Commissions that serve as the primary venue for countries, civil society, and the private sector to come together in each major region of the world to address common issues related to forests and forestry. The Commissions bring regional issues to the attention of the FAO Committee on Forestry, a global forum for addressing technical and policy issues.
Knowledge management and best practices FAO is a clearing house of global knowledge on forests and forestry. FAO collects and disseminates information and carries out analytical studies to identify trends and best practices on sustainable management of forests. Examples include: n
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National Forest Assessments – FAO partners with national institutions to carry out field-based assessments which generate information on forest resources, their management and uses. Global Forest Resources Assessment – FAO leads this ongoing, global endeavour to obtain quality-controlled information on forest resources, their management and uses. Forest Sector Outlook Studies – In collaboration with countries, FAO carries out regional and global studies of trends and develops scenarios for future developments in the forest sector. Forest products – FAO is the main global source of statistics on the production, consumption and trade of wood and non-wood forest products including wood fuels. Forests and poverty – FAO generates and shares knowledge to support changes that will lead to a greater role for forest and tree resources in the livelihoods of the poor. Best practices – FAO facilitates multi-stakeholder processes to develop codes or guidelines for best practices in areas such as forest harvesting, planted forests and forest fires.
Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005 (FRA 2005) The Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) is the most comprehensive process for compiling information about forests. FRA reports information at the country, region, and global level, and it is the primary statistical basis to support global decision-making processes related to forests. FAO leads a process that is based on interaction with countries and includes country capacitybuilding for monitoring, assessment and reporting, as well as providing feedback to national policies and strategies. The most recent assessment (FRA 2005) covered 229 countries and areas, provided new knowledge on more than 40 variables for three points in time: 1990, 2000 and 2005. More than 800 specialists were involved.
For further information please visit: FAO Forestry Department, http://www.fao.org/forestry Or contact: Forest Resources Division,
[email protected] 