forestry papers recent issues

FAO Forestry Paper 171: Edible insects - Future prospects for food and feed security

Sun, 12 May 2013 22:00:00 GMT

This publication describes the contribution of insects to food security. It shows the many traditional and potential new uses of insects for direct human consumption and the opportunities for and constraints to farming them for food and feed. It examines the body of research on issues such as insect nutrition and food safety, the use of insects as animal feed, and the processing and preservation of insects and their products.

FAO Forestry Paper 169: Global forest land-use change 1990-2005

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 23:00:00 GMT

This report presents the key findings on forest land use and land-use change between 1990 and 2005 from FAO’s 2010 Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2010) Remote Sensing Survey. This survey was the result of a partnership between FAO, countries and the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC). It is the first report of its kind to present systematic estimates of global forest land use and change.

FAO Forestry Paper 168: Soil carbon monitoring using surveys and modelling

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Forest soils constitute a large pool of carbon and releases of carbon from this pool, caused by deforestation and forest degradation, may significantly increase the concentration of greenhouse gases. This publication describes the application of survey- and modelling-based methods for monitoring soil organic carbon stock and its changes on a national scale in the United Republic of Tanzania. The report presents i) a design of the first inventory of soil organic carbon, including discussion on factors that affect the reliability of carbon stock estimates; and ii) a design of a modelling-based approach, including links to national forest inventory data and discussion on alternative soil organic carbon models.

FAO Forestry Paper 167: Wildlife in a changing climate

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:00:00 GMT

FAO’s new report, Wildlife in a Changing Climate, foresees that the rate of loss of wild animal species will be accelerated by climate change unless urgent measures are taken. Particularly at risk are wildlife and ecosystems in coastal and mountain areas, while Africa, where a mean temperature rise of 3-4 °C is expected by the end of the century, is one of the world’s most vulnerable regions. Using case studies, the report puts forward a series of responsive measures to mitigate the impact of climate change.

FAO Forestry Paper 166: Community-based fire management: A review

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:00:00 GMT

Globally, people cause most wildfires. Involving local communities in fire management practices like prevention, suppression and restoration is therefor a logical approach. The new FAO publication “Community-based fire management- A review”, highlights the state of the art in community-based fire management, redefines the concept, reviews case studies and reflects on related policy and legal frameworks.

FAO Forestry Paper 165: Reforming forest tenure

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT

Secure tenure is an important prerequisite for sustainable forest management. More diversified tenure systems could provide a basis for improving forest management and local livelihoods, particularly where the State has insufficient capacity to manage forests. In the past decade many countries have initiated efforts to reform their tenure arrangements for forests and forest land, devolving some degree of access and management from the State to others, mainly households, private companies and communities. This publication provides practical guidance for policy-makers and others concerned with addressing forest tenure reform. Drawing from many sources, including forest tenure assessments carried out by FAO in Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Central Asia, it deduces lessons about what works and what does not, and why.

FAO Forestry Paper 164: Guide to implementation of phytosanitary standards in forestry

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:00:00 GMT

This guide, produced by an international group of scientists, phytosanitary authorities, forest experts and industry representatives and reviewed by more than 100 specialists from 46 countries, provides easy-to-understand information on how good forest management practices and well implemented phytosanitary standards can minimize pest spread and facilitate safe trade. The guide will be of vital interest to people involved in nursery activities, planting, managing, harvesting, manufacturing, trading and transporting forest products. It will also benefit forest policy-makers, planners, managers and educators, particularly in developing countries.

FAO Forestry Paper 163: Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010. Main report

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:00:00 GMT

The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010 (FRA 2010) is the most comprehensive assessment of the world’s forests ever. It covers 233 countries and areas for the period 1990 to 2010. This publication, the main report of FRA 2010, contains country data, contributed by national correspondents and reviewed and collated by FAO, for more than 90 key variables related to the extent, condition, uses and values of forests. This report is an essential reference for anyone interested in the status of the world’s forests and will support policies, decisions and negotiations in all matters where forests and forestry play a part.

FAO Forestry Paper 162: What woodfuels can do to mitigate climate change

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Most climate change strategies emphasize reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy use and switching to energy sources that are less carbon intensive than fossil fuels. This publication explores the scope, potential and implications for using woodfuels to replace fossil fuels and thereby contribute to climate change mitigation. The publication will be of interest to specialists and policy-makers in forestry, climate change and renewable energy, as well as to forest managers, students and general audiences interested in learning more about the role of forests in energy production and the resulting mitigation potential.

FAO Forestry Paper 161: Developing effective forest policy. A guide

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 22:00:00 GMT

This guide aims to support countries in planning and conducting forest policy development processes. Based on a review of practical experiences, it outlines the rationale and purpose of a national forest policy and the different elements of the forest policy development process. This publication will help senior officials in government administrations and other stakeholder representatives, including civil society organizations and the private sector, in developing or revising national forest policy

FAO Forestry Paper 160: Criteria and indicators for sustainable woodfuels

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:00:00 GMT

In many developing countries, woodfuels are still commonly used for household cooking and heating and are also important for local processing industries. In many developed countries, wood-processing industries often use their wood by-products for energy production. In some countries, notably the Nordic countries, forest residues are increasingly used for industrial-scale electricity generation and heating. Several developing countries have enormous potential to produce energy from forests and trees outside forests, for both domestic use and export. However this potential is not often properly reflected in national energy-development strategies. This publication sets out principles, criteria and indicators to guide the sustainable use of woodfuel resources and the sustainable production of charcoal. It is designed to help policy- and decision-makers in forestry, energy and environment agencies, non-governmental and other civil-society organizations and the private sector ensure that the woodfuel sector reaches its full potential as an agent of sustainable development.

FAO Forestry Paper 159: Impact of the global forest industry on atmospheric greenhouse gases

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
This publication examines the complex connections between the global forest products industry and the global carbon cycle, with the objective of characterizing the carbon footprint of the sector. The analysis finds that the industry’s main sources of emissions are manufacturing and disposal of used products in landfills. Globally, the impact of the industry on carbon in forests cannot be described quantitatively because of the lack of data in many parts of the world and the complexity of the industry’s raw material supply chain. Data from some countries, however, suggest that sustainable forest management practices can be effective in keeping forest carbon stocks stable over time. Indirect greenhouse gas benefits resulting from the activities or products of the forest products industry, while difficult to measure, can be large and could be increased.

FAO Forestry Paper 158: Fighting sand encroachment: lessons from Mauritania

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT
One of the main challenges of desertification is encroachment of moving sands, which has devastating environmental and socio-economic impacts. Mauritania, as one of the most severely affected countries in sub-Saharan Africa, has accumulated a great deal of experience in combating sand encroachment over the past several decades. This publication synthesizes the lessons learned, particularly in the implementation of a recently concluded project for rehabilitation and extension of the Nouakchott Green Belt, carried out by FAO and the Government of Mauritania with support from the Walloon Region of Belgium.

FAO Forestry Paper 157: Human-wildlife conflict in Africa

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT
In Africa, conflicts between humans and wildlife have become more frequent and severe over recent decades.This publication was compiled to facilitate the coexistence of humans and wildlife and assist affected communities in applying best management practices. With a focus on large herbivores and carnivores such as elephants, lions, baboons and crocodiles, the book presents the issues, describes different methods of conflict management and outlines a three-step framework for decision-making.

FAO Forestry Paper 156: Global review of forest pests and diseases

Mon, 11 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT
Effective pest management requires reliable information about the biology, ecology and distribution of the pests, their impacts on forest ecosystems and possible methods of control; it also often requires international cooperation. This publication represents a rare effort to address forest pests and diseases comprehensively at the global level.

FAO Forestry Paper 155: Forests and water

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT
Forested catchments supply a high proportion of the water for domestic, agricultural, industrial and ecological needs. A key challenge faced by land, forest and water managers is to maximize the benefits that forests provide without detriment to water resources and ecosystem function. This study highlights the need for holistic management of complex watershed ecosystems taking into account interactions among water, forest and other land uses as well as socio-economic factors.

FAO Forestry Paper 154: Forests and energy

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:00:00 GMT
Forests and energy are at the centre of the global debate on climate change. Soaring energy consumption and prices, and increasing greenhouse gas emission, represent a major opportunity and challenge for the forestry sector to find a new role in energy supply, climate change and sustainable development. This publication will be useful to both specialized and general audiences interested in learning more about the role of forests in energy production (Also published in Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish).

FAO Forestry Paper 153: The world's mangroves 1980-2005

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:00:00 GMT
The world's mangroves 1980-2005 report, prepared in the framework of the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005, provides comprehensive information on the current and past extent of mangroves in all countries and territories in which they exist. This information, as well as the gaps in information that come to light in the report, will assist mangrove managers and policy- and decision-makers worldwide in ensuring the conservation, management and sustainable use of the world's remaining mangrove ecosystems.

FAO Forestry Paper 152: People, forests and trees in West and Central Asia: Outlook for 2020

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 22:00:00 GMT
In West and Central Asia, governments, the private sector, communities, farmers and civil society organizations are making substantial efforts to improve the management of forest and tree resources. However, most countries face enormous challenges in this regard. This publication, the main report of the Forestry Outlook Study for West and Central Asia (FOWECA), provides a long-term perspective of changes in the forest sector. Implemented in partnership with the countries, the study covered 23 countries in West Asia, Central Asia and the southern Caucasus.

FAO Forestry Paper 151: Fire management global assessment 2006

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 23:00:00 GMT
Fire management is an essential part of sustainable forest management. This publication complements the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005 (FRA 2005) as an in-depth thematic study on the incidence, impact and management of forest fires in different regions of the world.

FAO Forestry Paper 150: The new generation of watershed management programmes and projects

Sun, 02 Jul 2006 22:00:00 GMT
This publication presents the state of the art in watershed management, promotes further reflection and creative thinking and proposes new ideas and approaches for future watershed management programmes and projects. It has been written primarily for field-level watershed management practitioners and local decision-makers involved in watershed management at the district or municipality level.

FAO Forestry Paper 149: Better forestry, less poverty: a practitioner's guide

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 22:00:00 GMT
This guide suggests ways to design and implement forest-based interventions that have the greatest potential to reduce poverty. Areas for action include timber production in both natural and planted forests, non-wood forest products, woodfuel, bushmeat, agroforestry and payment for environmental services.

FAO Forestry Paper 148: Tendencias y perspectivas del sector forestal an America Latina y el Caribe

Tue, 17 Jan 2006 23:00:00 GMT
La presente publicación sobre las tendencias y las perspectivas del sector forestal para América Latina y el Caribe es el resultado de un proceso que ha involucrado directamente 20 países y tres subregiones. El estudio realiza una estimación sobre la probable situación del sector forestal regional al 2020. Published in Spanish only.

FAO Forestry Paper 147: Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005: Progress towards sustainable forest management

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 22:00:00 GMT
By adopting the concept of sustainable forest management as a reporting framework, FRA is now well placed to provide a holistic perspective on global forest resources, their management and uses. Beyond the conventional production and environmental dimensions of forestry, FRA now includes parameters that are important to forest dwellers and rural poor people, such as the value of non-wood forest products and trends in fuelwood removals. By addressing the thematic elements of sustainable forest management, FRA has evolved into an instrument that is indispensible in international negotiations and arrangements related to forests, and for clarifying the relationship of forestry to sustainable development. Also published in Arabic, Spanish, French, Russian and Chinese.

FAO Forestry Paper 146: Microfinance and forest-based small-scale enterprises

Sun, 03 Jul 2005 22:00:00 GMT
The publication examines the role that different types of microfinance institutions, such as banks, non-governmental organizations, cooperatives and credit unions, can play for small-scale enterprises and forest communities. It discusses, in addition to microcredit, a comprehensive range of services including savings, group lending, leasing, insurance and cash transfers. The strengths and weaknesses of different approaches are illustrated through four case studies in Nepal, Guatemala, the Sudan and Peru. Also published in Arabic, Spanish and French.

FAO Forestry Paper 145: Best practices for improving law compliance in the forest sector

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 22:00:00 GMT
Forest law compliance is attracting increased attention in the international forest policy arena as significant volumes of timber are illegally felled, processed and traded every year. This publication provides an overview of these experiences to foster better forest law compliance. It analyses available knowledge in a set of best practices drawn from 11 country case studies, which decision-makers may wish to apply to reduce illegal operations in the forest sector. Also published in Spanish, French and Russian.

FAO Forestry Paper 144: Climate change and the forestry sector

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 22:00:00 GMT
Forest managers face two basic concerns linked to human-induced climate change. One is adaptation: Can forest managers reduce the damage to forests from climate change? The other is mitigation: Can forest managers help reduce climate change itself? Forestry harbours this possibility via conservation of forests, via management of forests as carbon sinks to offset greenhouse gases emitted elsewhere, through its capacity to produce renewable, carbon-neutral energy, and through its products, which not only store carbon for appreciable times but can substitute for high-energy materials. This paper addresses mitigation.

FAO Forestry Paper 143: Sustainable management of tropical forests in Central Africa

Mon, 03 Nov 2003 23:00:00 GMT
Conscious of the threats to their forest ecosystems, the countries of Central Africa are multiplying their efforts related to the sustainable management of their forests, for example by adopting new policies, revising forest laws and elaborating tropical forest action plans. Local initiatives in sustainable forest management include decentralization of power to the local level, participatory approaches and taking into account the multiple uses and functions of forests. This document describes 24 sustainably managed forests in Central Africa and contains in-depth analyses in the form of 14 case studies. Published in French and English.

FAO Forestry Paper 142: Cross-sectoral policy impacts between forestry and other sectors

Tue, 07 Oct 2003 22:00:00 GMT
The influences of public policies on the development of the forestry sector have been recognized for some time. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) (Rio de Janeiro, 1992) stressed the importance of harmonizing sectoral policies (environment, economic and social) to achieve sustainable development. The international dialogue on forests during the 1990s pointed to the role of non-forest policies in discussing the ways and means to achieve sustainable forest management (SFM). Published in English, Spanish and French.

FAO Forestry Paper 141: Forestry Outlook Study for Africa

Wed, 30 Apr 2003 22:00:00 GMT
Regional report on the Forestry Outlook Study for Africa providing an overview of the potentials and challenges for enhancing the contribution of the forest sector to Africa's sustainable development, taking into account the policy and institutional, demographic, economic, technological and environmental chages. Examining the impact of the driving forces and probable scenarios, it gives an indication of what may happen up to the year 2020 if the present trends persist. The priorities and strategies to enhance the forest sector's contribution to societal welfare are also discussed. Published in English and French.

FAO Forestry Paper 140: Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000

Mon, 02 Sep 2002 22:00:00 GMT
The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 (FRA 2000) provides a comprehensive and up-to-date view of the world's forest resources at the end of the second millennium. It is the result of the collective efforts of the countries of the world. This major undertaking was based primarily on information provided by the countries, supplemented by state-of-the-art technology to verify and analyse the information and to make the results accessible to the world through the Internet. Published in English, Spanish and French

FAO Forestry Paper 139: Governance principles for concessions and contracts in public forests

Wed, 31 Oct 2001 23:00:00 GMT
This report thoroughly reviews the diverse types of contracts used in the management of public forests. Agreements for forest utilization are analyzed as well as contracts for the acquisition of goods and services. Secondly, the critical importance of an effective institutional and legal framework is underscored. Thirdly, the study details important elements to consider in awarding contracts, in their valuation and administration and in ensuring the fulfilment of the terms of the contract. Special attention is given to establishing transparency in the awarding and administration of contracts in public forests. Published in English, Spanish and French.