{"id":640,"date":"2021-05-16T15:19:45","date_gmt":"2021-05-16T05:19:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/primaryforestsandclimate.org\/?post_type=publications&p=640"},"modified":"2023-03-21T09:59:22","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T23:59:22","slug":"definitions-data-and-methods-for-primary-forest-assessment","status":"publish","type":"publications","link":"https:\/\/primaryforestsandclimate.org\/publications\/definitions-data-and-methods-for-primary-forest-assessment\/","title":{"rendered":"Definitions, data, and methods for primary forest assessment"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) provides essential information for understanding the extent of the world\u2019s forest resources, their condition, management and uses. Data collected through the FRA reporting process are used to assess progress towards globally agreed targets and inform policy and decisions by governments, civil society and the private sector. Therefore, concepts, definitions and methods developed for the FRA have broad influence beyond the FRA and must be carefully developed to ensure they can be implemented consistently by as many countries as possible, to provide comparable global information.<\/p>\n

One such concept is the area of \u2018primary forest\u2019. The FRA requires countries and territories to report on the extent of their forests and defines several different types of forests for countries to report on. \u201cPrimary forest\u201d is defined as \u201cNaturally regenerated forest of native tree species, where there are no clearly visible indications of human activities and the ecological processes are not significantly disturbed\u201d. Accurate and consistent global reporting on the extent of primary forests is crucial.<\/p>\n

The FAO\u2019s definition for primary forest has appeared in trade-related instruments, such as procurement policies and wood fuel regulations, and inconsistent reporting could lead to non-tariff trade barriers. In addition, accurate and consistent reporting is essential to assess progress towards global objectives such as the Aichi Biodiversity Target 5 forest-related goals and target proposed in the zero draft of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, Sustainable Development Goal 15 and the Global Forest Goals of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030.<\/p>\n

While the definition of primary forest may be broadly accepted, consistently measuring the actual area of primary forest among countries has proven to be challenging. Studies have shown considerable variation in how countries apply the definition in their own circumstances, which raises questions about the comparability of the data among countries and its applicability for informing policy and decisions. In addition, other recent studies have suggested new methods to assess the area of primary forest, might be broadly applicable among many countries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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While the definition of primary forest may be broadly accepted, consistently measuring the actual area of primary forest among countries has proven to be challenging.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Although data collection efforts for the FRA 2020 have already been completed, the FAO\u2019s newly established online data collection and reporting system will enable countries to update their data more frequently. As the FAO moves towards more frequent reporting to better meet the demands of other global reporting commitments, there is a pressing need to increase consistency in data collection requirements and schedules for primary forest in order to enhance comparability of forest statistics among countries.<\/p>\n

Therefore, the FAO has aims to bring together national correspondents and other experts through a series of workshops to improve the operational methods for data collection and reporting on the extent of primary forests. The goal of these workshops is to increase the consistency of data collection requirements and schedules as well as enhancing the comparability among countries for estimates of the extent of primary forests.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

<\/span>Download report<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Article authors<\/h2>
\"Dr<\/a><\/div>

Brendan Mackey<\/a><\/h3>
Project Director and Director of the Griffith Climate Action Beacon at Griffith University, contributing to community planning and engagement in forest projects.<\/div><\/div><\/article><\/div>
\"Pat<\/a><\/div>

Patrick Norman<\/a><\/h3>
Pat is a spatial research scientist focusing on the environment, forests and protected areas. <\/div><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Additional authors<\/h3>\n
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Dr Eloise Skinner<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Reference<\/h3>\n

Mackey, B., Skinner, E., and Norman, P. (2021) A Review of Definitions, \u00a0Data, and Methods for Country-level Assessment and Reporting of Primary Forests: A Discussion Paper for the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations<\/em>, Griffith University, Brisbane. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.25904\/1912\/4510<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Pat's areas of research interest include remote sensing for changes in vegetation, assessing volunteered geographic information for park management and conducting botanical surveys to assess human impacts. Prior to undertaking my tertiary education Pat worked in natural area management and as a carpenter, completing his apprenticeship in 2011.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Griffith University opened its doors over 40 years ago, we\u2019ve been deeply connected to the Asian region, socially conscious and environmentally aware, an integral part of the community and heavily industry focused. We\u2019ve also become a comprehensive, research-intensive university, ranking in the top 2% of universities worldwide. More about Griffith University<\/a>.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Griffith<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Pat's project publications<\/h2>
\"Tiaga<\/a><\/div>

Tracking ecosystem stability across boreal Siberia<\/a><\/h3>
02\/12\/2024<\/abbr><\/span><\/div>
Forests around the world are under immense pressure from human land use and climate change, however vastly improved remote sensing techniques can help identify where forests are under greatest stress from a wide range of human-caused and climate risks. <\/div><\/div><\/article><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>

Mature and old-growth forests contribute to large-scale conservation targets in the United States<\/a><\/h3>
29\/07\/2022<\/abbr><\/span><\/div>
Mature and old-growth forests of the United States collectively support exceptional levels of biodiversity but have declined substantially from logging and development.<\/div><\/div><\/article><\/div>
\"Forest<\/a><\/div>

Definitions, data, and methods for primary forest assessment<\/a><\/h3>
16\/05\/2021<\/abbr><\/span><\/div>
This report has been prepared to review and assess definitions relating to primary forests; to collate and evaluate the datasets and methods currently available for measuring the extent of primary forests; and to provide options for defining, assessing and reporting on primary forests.<\/div><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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