Criterion 7. Legal, Institutional, and Economic Framework for Forest Conservation and
Sustainable Management
National Report on Sustainable Forests—2010
Indicator 7.58.
Capacity To Measure and Monitor Changes in the Conservation and Sustainable Management
of Forests, Including Scope, Frequency, and Statistical Reliability of Forest Inventories,
Assessments, Monitoring, and Other Relevant Information
a concise, quantified presentation, and systematic data collection activities would likely not be possible even if sufficient
resources were available. Often, in these cases, proxy data have
been used to provide some information to address the indicator.
Certain proxy data series may have excellent characteristics
(e.g., high reporting frequency and national consistency), but
their applicability in measuring the underlying indicator will
vary depending on the indicator in question.
What is the indicator and why is it important?
Public discussion and decisions related to natural resource
sustainability issues should be based on comprehensive,
current, and sound data. Information regarding the frequency,
coverage, and reliability of data provides analysts with critical
information for evaluating and prioritizing sustainability needs.
What does the indicator show?
The current status of data for each indicator is summarized in
the table below along with its status as recorded in the 2003
report (table 58-1). The rankings are based on the judgment
of each indicator’s lead investigator and the project analysis
team as a whole. They are currently provisional. The rankings
may assume different meanings depending on the indicator in
question. In particular, the appropriateness of proxy data is not
fully reflected in the stoplight categorizations presented in the
following table.
Data for the 64 indicators range from full current coverage to
one-time studies, to very anecdotal information. By looking at
a cross section of the information in three broad categories, a
brief overview of the situation for each criterion can be seen.
Although some indicators have a full suite of current data, that
are national in scope, and collected frequently, many do not. In
some cases, this is the result of a lack of systematic data collection, in others, the indicator in question may not be amenable to
Table 58-1. Data adequacy measures for all indicators (1 of 4).
KEY
Notes on the rating system: This rating provides a general overview of the data supporting the indicators. Green means few gaps, yellow means several gaps, red means no data
or numerous gaps, and blue indicates data that has been modelled.
Data
coverage
Data generally complete nationally, current, and relaible.
National (90%+)
Data may not be consistent nationally, slightly dated, and not measured
frequently enough.
Data
currentness
Data
frequency
2000+
Annual to <
5-year periodic
Regional or
some national
1985-1999
5+ year periodic
Data are from inconsistent sources or nonexistent, more than 15 years old or
partial, and has no consistent plan for remeasurement
Varies or
incomplete
Incomplete
One-time or
incomplete
Data are modelled (currency and frequency dots refer to model baseline data)
Modelled
Reporting
scale
Regional or
national
=Triangle shows status of variable in 2003 report.
Last Updated June 2011 1
National Report on Sustainable Forests—2010
Table 58-1. Data adequacy measures for all indicators (2 of 4).
Criterion
Data status
Reporting
Scale
Old
New
Indicators
1,3
1.01
Area and percent of forest by forest ecosystem type,
successional stage, age class, and forest ownership or tenure
Regional
2,4
1.02
Area and percent of forest in protected areas by forest
ecosystem type, and by age class or successional stage
Regional
5
1.03
Fragmentation of forests
Regional
6
1.04
Number of native forest-associated species
Regional
7
1.05
Number and status of native forest-associated species at risk,
as determined by legislation or scientific assessment
Regional
1.06
Status of onsite and offsite efforts focused on conservation of
species diversity
Regional
8
1.07
Number and geographic distribution of forest-associated
species at risk of losing genetic variation and locally adapted
genotypes
Regional
9
1.08
Population levels of selected representative forest-associated
species to describe genetic diversity
Regional
1.09
Status of onsite and offsite efforts focused on conservation of
genetic diversity
National
10
2.10
Area and percent of forest land and net area of forest land
available for wood production
Regional
11
2.11
Total growing stock and annual increment of both
merchantable and nonmerchantable tree species in forests
available for wood production
Regional
12
2.12
Area, percent, and growing stock of plantations of native and
exotic species
Regional
13
2.13
Annual harvest of wood products by volume and as a
percentage of net growth or sustained yield
Regional
14
2.14
Annual harvest of nonwood forest products
Regional
15
3.15
Area and percent of forest affected by biotic processes and
agents (e.g., insects, disease, invasive alien species) beyond
reference conditions
Regional
16,17 3.16
Area and percent of forest affected by abiotic agents (e.g., fire,
storm, land clearance) beyond reference conditions
Regional
4. Conservation and
18,19 4.17
maintenance of soil
and water resources
22
4.18
Area and percent of forest whose designation or land
management focus is the protection of soil or water resources
Regional
Proportion of forest management activities that meet best
management practices or other relevant legislation to protect
soil resources
Regional
Area and percent of forest land with significant soil degradation
Regional
Proportion of forest management activities that meet best
management practices, or other relevant legislation, to protect
water-related resources
Regional
Area and percent of water bodies, or stream length, in forest
areas with significant change in physical, chemical, or bio­
logical properties from reference conditions
Regional
1. Conservation of
biological diversity
2. Maintenance
of productive
capacity of forest
ecosystems
3. Maintenance of
ecosystem health
and vitality
21,25 4.19
20
4.20
23,24 4.21
5. Maintenance of
forest contribution
to global carbon
cycles
26,27 5.22
6. Maintenance and
enhancement of
long-term multiple
socioeconomic
benefits to meet the
needs of societies
Current-ness Frequency
Total forest ecosystem carbon pools and fluxes
Regional
5.23
Total forest product carbon pools and fluxes
National
5.24
Avoided fossil fuel carbon emissions by using forest biomass
for energy
National
29
6.25
Value and volume of wood and wood products production,
including primary and secondary processing
Regional
30
6.26
Value of nonwood forest products produced or collected
National
43
6.27
Revenue from forest-based environmental services
National
31
6.28
Total and per capita consumption of wood and wood products
in roundwood equivalents
National
34
6.29
Total and per capita consumption of nonwood products
National
32
6.30
Value and volume in roundwood equivalents of exports and
imports of wood products
National
6.31
Value of exports and imports of nonwood products
National
6.32
Exports as a share of wood and wood products production and
imports as a share of wood and wood products consumption
National
6.33
Recovery or recycling of forest products as a percent of total
forest products consumption.
Regional
28
33
Last Updated June 2011 Coverage
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National Report on Sustainable Forests—2010
Table 58-1. Data adequacy measures for all indicators (3 of 4).
Criterion
Reporting
Scale
New
38
6.34
Value of capital investment and annual expenditure in forest
management, wood and nonwood product industries, forestbased environmental services, recreation, and tourism
Regional
39-41 6.35
Annual investment and expenditure in forest-related research,
extension and development, and education
National
Coverage
Current-ness Frequency
44
6.36
Employment in the forest products sector
Regional
45
6.37
Average wage rates, annual average income, and annual injury
rates in major forest employment categories
Regional
46
6.38
The resilience of forest-dependent communities
National
47
6.39
Area and percent of forests used for subsistence purposes
Regional
6.40
35-36 6.41
7. Legal, institutional,
and economic
framework for
forest conservation
and sustainable
management.
Indicators
Data status
Old
Distribution of revenues derived from forest management
National
Area and percent of forests available and managed for public
recreation and tourism
Regional
37
6.42
Number, type, and geographic distribution of visits attributed
to recreation and tourism and related to facilities available
Regional
42
6.43
Area and percent of forests managed primarily to protect the
range of cultural, social, and spiritual needs and values
Regional
6.44
The importance of forests to people
National
Extent to which the legal framework (laws, regulations, guidelines) support the conservation and sustainable management of forests,
including the extent to which it:
48
7.45
—Clarifies property rights, provides for appropriate land tenure
arrangements, recognizes customary and traditional rights of
indigenous people, and provides a means of resolving property
disputes by due process
National
49
7.46
—Provides for periodic forest-related planning, assessment,
and policy review that recognizes the range of forest values,
including coordination with relevant sectors
National
50
7.47
—Provides opportunities for public participation in public
policy and decisionmaking related to forests and public access
to information
National
51
7.48
—Encourages best practice codes for forest management
National
52
7.49
—Provides for the management of forests to conserve special
environmental, cultural, social, and scientific values
National
Extent to which the institutional framework supports the conservation and sustainable management of forests, including
53
7.50
—The capacity to provide for public involvement activities and
public education, awareness, and extension programs, and
make available forest-related information
National
54
7.51
—The capacity to undertake and implement periodic forestrelated planning, assessment, and policy review, including
cross-sectoral planning coordination
National
55
7.52
—The capacity to develop and maintain human resource skills
across relevant disciplines
National
56
7.53
—The capacity to develop and maintain efficient physical
infrastructure to facilitate the supply of forest products and
services and to support forest management
National
57
7.54
—The capacity to enforce laws, regulations, and guidelines
National
Extent to which the economic framework (economic policies and measures) supports the conservation and sustainable management
of forests through investment and taxation policies and a regulatory environment that recognizes the long-term nature of investments
58
7.55
—And permits the flow of capital in and out of the forest sector
in response to market signals, nonmarket economic valuations,
and public policy decisions to meet long-term demands for
forest products and services
National
59
7.56
—And permits nondiscriminatory trade policies for forest
products
National
Capacity to measure and monitor changes in the conservation and sustainable management of forests, including
Last Updated June 2011 60
7.57
—Availability and extent of up-to-date data, statistics, and
other information important to measuring or describing
indicators
National
61
7.58
—Scope, frequency, and statistical reliability of forest
inventories, assessments, monitoring, and other relevant
information
National
62
7.59
—Compatibility with other countries in measuring, monitoring,
and reporting on indicators member countries
National
3
National Report on Sustainable Forests—2010
Table 58-1. Data adequacy measures for all indicators (4 of 4).
Criterion
Old
New
Indicators
Data status
Coverage
Current-ness Frequency
Reporting
Scale
Capacity to conduct and apply research and development aimed at improving forest management and delivery of forest goods and
services
Last Updated June 2011 63
7.60
—Including development of scientific understanding of forest
ecosystem characteristics and functions
National
64
7.61
—And development of methodologies to measure and
integrate environmental and social costs and benefits into
markets and public policies, and to reflect forest-related
resource depletion or replenishment in national accounting
systems
National
65
7.62
—And new technologies and the capacity to assess the
socioeconomic consequences associated with the introduction
of new technologies
National
66
7.63
—And enhancement of ability to predict impacts of human
intervention on forests
National
67
7.64
—And the ability to predict impacts on forests of possible
climate change
National
4