PROGRAMME ELEMENT 3: KNOWLEDGE, ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING
GOAL 3.1: To characterize and to analyse from forest ecosystem to global scale and develop general classification of forests on various scales in order to improve the assessment of status and trends of forest biological diversity
3.1.1. Review and adopt a harmonized global to regional forest classification system, based on harmonized and accepted forest definitions and addressing key forest biological diversity elements
Activities:
- Review and adopt a minimum forest classification for forest types, compatible with remote sensing technologies, that includes broad indicators of biodiversity that can be taken into account in all international and regional forest-related programmes, plans and activities.
- Adapt frequency of forest resource inventory at regional and global scales, where resources permit, preferably at least to every ten years.
- Review and contribute (from the biodiversity point of view) to standard forest definitions in cooperation with the United Nations Forum on Forests and the Collaborative Partnership on Forests to be used in global and regional reporting to the scale of forest types.
3.1.2. Develop national forest classification systems and maps (using agreed international standards and protocols to enable regional and global synthesis)
Activities:
- Review existing national forest ecosystem classification systems and maps.
- Develop and apply national forest ecosystem classification systems and maps that include key components of forest biological diversity to be used in assessment reports on forest types including socio-economic and cultural aspects.
- Use adapted technology, for example geographic information system, to develop a baseline for assessing levels of deforestation and impacts on biodiversity.
3.1.3. To develop, where appropriate, specific forest ecosystems surveys in priority areas for conservation and sustainable use of forest biodiversity
Activities:
- To identify and prioritize relevant areas to carry out these surveys.
GOAL 3.2: Improve knowledge on and methods for the assessment of the status and trends of forest biological diversity, based on available information
Activities:
- Advance the development and implementation of international, regional and national criteria and indicators based on key measures within the framework of sustainable forest management.
- Develop and select international, regional and national criteria and where appropriate quantifiable, indicators for forest biological diversity, taking into account, as appropriate, existing work and processes on criteria and indicators on sustainable forest management, as well as the knowledge held by indigenous and local communities. Such criteria and indicators should be used for assessment reporting at least 10-year intervals.
3.2.1. Advance the development and implementation of international, regional and national criteria and indicators based on key regional, subregional and national measures within the framework of sustainable forest management
Activities:
- Advance the development and implementation of international, regional and national criteria and indicators based on key measures within the framework of sustainable forest management.
- Develop and select international, regional and national criteria and where appropriate quantifiable, indicators for forest biological diversity, taking into account, as appropriate, existing work and processes on criteria and indicators on sustainable forest management, as well as the knowledge held by indigenous and local communities. Such criteria and indicators should be used for assessment reporting at least 10-year intervals
GOAL 3.3: Improve understanding of the role of forest biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
3.3.1. Conduct key research programmes on the role of forest biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
Activities:
- Develop and support focused research to improve understanding of the relationship between forest biological diversity and ecosystem functioning, taking into account forest ecosystem components, structure, functions and processes to improve predictive capability.
- Develop and support research to understand critical thresholds of forest biological diversity loss and change, paying particular attention to endemic and threatened species and habitats including forest canopies.
- Develop and apply forest ecosystem restoration techniques to address biodiversity loss at the ecosystem level.
- Develop and support research on impact of current forest management practices for forest biodiversity within forests and on adjacent land.
GOAL 3.4: Improve the infrastructure for data and information management for accurate assessment and monitoring of global forest biological diversity
3.4.1. Enhance and improve the technical capacity at the national level to monitor forest biological diversity, benefiting from the opportunities offered through the clearing-house mechanism, and to develop associated databases as required on a global scale
Activities:
- Develop and implement a strategy and a plan of action and facilitate transfer of technology to provide infrastructure and training in developing countries, in order to monitor forest biological diversity and develop associated databases.
