Forestry Department
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GLOBAL FOREST RESOURCES
ASSESSMENT 2005
PALAU
COUNTRY REPORT
Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005
Country Report 046
Rome, 2005
FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
The Forest Resources Assessment Programme
Sustainably managed forests have multiple environmental and socio-economic functions important at
the global, national and local scales, and play a vital part in sustainable development. Reliable and upto-date information on the state of forest resources - not only on area and area change, but also on
such variables as growing stock, wood and non-wood products, carbon, protected areas, use of
forests for recreation and other services, biological diversity and forests’ contribution to national
economies - is crucial to support decision-making for policies and programmes in forestry and
sustainable development at all levels.
FAO, at the request of its member countries, regularly monitors the world’s forests and their
management and uses through the Forest Resources Assessment Programme. This country report
forms part of the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005 (FRA 2005), which is the most
comprehensive assessment to date. More than 800 people have been involved, including 172 national
correspondents and their colleagues, an Advisory Group, international experts, FAO staff, consultants
and volunteers. Information has been collated from 229 countries and territories for three points in
time: 1990, 2000 and 2005.
The reporting framework for FRA 2005 is based on the thematic elements of sustainable forest
management acknowledged in intergovernmental forest-related fora and includes more than 40
variables related to the extent, condition, uses and values of forest resources. More information on the
FRA 2005 process and the results - including all the country reports - is available on the FRA 2005
Web site (www.fao.org/forestry/fra2005).
The Global Forest Resources Assessment process is coordinated by the Forestry Department at FAO
headquarters in Rome. The contact person for matters related to FRA 2005 is:
Mette Løyche Wilkie
Senior Forestry Officer
FAO Forestry Department
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
Rome 00100, Italy
E-mail: Mette.LoycheWilkie@fao.org
Readers can also use the following e-mail address: fra@fao.org
DISCLAIMER
The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not
imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its
authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005 Country Report Series is designed to
document and make available the information forming the basis for the FRA 2005 reports. The
Country Reports have been compiled by officially nominated country correspondents in collaboration
with FAO staff. Prior to finalisation, these reports were subject to validation by forestry authorities in
the respective countries.
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
Report preparation and contact person
This report has been prepared by:
Joseph Donnegan
USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory & Analysis
620 SW Main Street, Suite 400
Portland, OR 97205
Ph: 503-808-2053
jdonnegan@fs.fed.us
Mr. Kashgar Rengulbai
Division of Agriculture & Mineral Resources
PO Box 460
Koror, Republic of Palau 96940
Phone: 680-488-5204
Fax: 680-488-1475/1725
Email: DAMR@palaunet.com
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
Contents
1
TABLE T1 – EXTENT OF FOREST AND OTHER WOODED LAND .............................................. 5
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
FRA 2005 CATEGORIES AND DEFINITIONS............................................................................................ 5
NATIONAL DATA ................................................................................................................................... 5
ANALYSIS AND PROCESSING OF NATIONAL DATA.................................................................................. 5
RECLASSIFICATION INTO FRA 2005 CLASSES ....................................................................................... 5
DATA FOR NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T1 ........................................................................................ 5
COMMENTS TO NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T1 ................................................................................. 5
2
TABLE T2 – OWNERSHIP OF FOREST AND OTHER WOODED LAND ...................................... 5
3
TABLE T3 – DESIGNATED FUNCTION OF FOREST AND OTHER WOODED LAND .............. 5
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
4
TABLE T4 – CHARACTERISTICS OF FOREST AND OTHER WOODED LAND ........................ 5
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
5
FRA 2005 CATEGORIES AND DEFINITIONS............................................................................................ 5
NATIONAL DATA ................................................................................................................................... 5
ANALYSIS AND PROCESSING OF NATIONAL DATA.................................................................................. 5
RECLASSIFICATION INTO FRA 2005 CLASSES ....................................................................................... 5
DATA FOR NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T5 ........................................................................................ 5
TABLE T6 – BIOMASS STOCK.............................................................................................................. 5
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
7
FRA 2005 CATEGORIES AND DEFINITIONS............................................................................................ 5
NATIONAL DATA ................................................................................................................................... 5
DATA FOR NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T4 ........................................................................................ 5
COMMENTS TO NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T4 ................................................................................. 5
TABLE T5 – GROWING STOCK ........................................................................................................... 5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
6
FRA 2005 CATEGORIES AND DEFINITIONS............................................................................................ 5
NATIONAL DATA ................................................................................................................................... 5
ANALYSIS AND PROCESSING OF NATIONAL DATA.................................................................................. 5
RECLASSIFICATION INTO FRA 2005 CLASSES ....................................................................................... 5
DATA FOR NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T3 ........................................................................................ 5
COMMENTS TO NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T3 ................................................................................. 5
FRA 2005 CATEGORIES AND DEFINITIONS............................................................................................ 5
NATIONAL DATA ................................................................................................................................... 5
ANALYSIS AND PROCESSING OF NATIONAL DATA.................................................................................. 5
DATA FOR NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T6 ........................................................................................ 5
COMMENTS TO NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T6 ................................................................................. 5
TABLE T7 – CARBON STOCK............................................................................................................... 5
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
FRA 2005 CATEGORIES AND DEFINITIONS............................................................................................ 5
NATIONAL DATA ................................................................................................................................... 5
ANALYSIS AND PROCESSING OF NATIONAL DATA.................................................................................. 5
DATA FOR NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T7 ........................................................................................ 5
COMMENTS TO NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T7 ................................................................................. 5
8
TABLE T8 – DISTURBANCES AFFECTING HEALTH AND VITALITY ...................................... 5
9
TABLE T9 – DIVERSITY OF TREE SPECIES ..................................................................................... 5
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
10
FRA 2005 CATEGORIES AND DEFINITIONS............................................................................................ 5
NATIONAL DATA ................................................................................................................................... 5
DATA FOR NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T9 ........................................................................................ 5
COMMENTS TO NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T9 ................................................................................. 5
TABLE T10 – GROWING STOCK COMPOSITION ........................................................................... 5
10.1
10.2
10.3
FRA 2005 CATEGORIES AND DEFINITIONS............................................................................................ 5
NATIONAL DATA ................................................................................................................................... 5
DATA FOR NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T10 ...................................................................................... 5
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
10.4
PALAU
COMMENTS TO NATIONAL REPORTING TABLE T10 ............................................................................... 5
11
TABLE T11 – WOOD REMOVAL .......................................................................................................... 5
12
TABLE T12 – VALUE OF WOOD REMOVAL..................................................................................... 5
13
TABLE T13 – NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCT REMOVAL........................................................... 5
14
TABLE T14 – VALUE OF NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCT REMOVAL .................................... 5
15
TABLE T15 – EMPLOYMENT IN FORESTRY................................................................................... 5
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
1 Table T1 – Extent of Forest and Other wooded land
1.1
FRA 2005 Categories and definitions
Category
Forest
Other wooded land
Other land
Other land with tree cover
(Subordinated to “Other
land”)
Inland water bodies
1.2
1.2.1
Definition
Land spanning more than 0.5 hectares with trees higher than 5 meters and
a canopy cover of more than 10 percent, or trees able to reach these
thresholds in situ. It does not include land that is predominantly under
agricultural or urban land use.
Land not classified as “Forest”, spanning more than 0.5 hectares; with trees
higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover of 5-10 percent, or trees able to
reach these thresholds in situ; or with a combined cover of shrubs, bushes
and trees above 10 percent. It does not include land that is predominantly
under agricultural or urban land use.
All land that is not classified as “Forest” or “Other wooded land”.
Land classified as “Other land”, spanning more than 0.5 hectares with a
canopy cover of more than 10 percent of trees able to reach a height of 5
meters at maturity.
Inland water bodies generally include major rivers, lakes and water
reservoirs.
National data
Data sources
References to sources of
information
Preliminary land cover
assessment for the
Republic of Palau, USDA
Forest Service, Pacific
Northwest Forest
Inventory and Analysis.
Contact: Joseph
Donnegan,
jdonnegan@fs.fed.us
Cole, T. G., M. C.
Falanruw, C. D. MacLean,
C. D. Whitesell, and A. H.
Ambacher. 1987.
Vegetation Survey of the
Republic of Palau.
Resource Bulletin PSWRB-22, Pacific Southwest
Research Station, USDA
Forest Service.
MacLean, C. D., T. G.
Cole, C. D. Whitesell, and
K. E. McDuffie. 1988.
Timber Resources of
Babelthuap, Republic of
Palau. Resource Bulletin
PSW-RB-23, U.S.
Department of
Agriculture, Forest
Service, Pacific Southwest
Research Station,
Berkeley, CA.
Quality
(H/M/L)
M
Variable(s)
Year(s)
Land cover
2002
A preliminary five class land cover
map was derived from IKONOS
satellite data (1m resolution).
Classes included: forest, nonforest
vegetation, barren land, urban, and
inland water.
H
Land Cover
1979
Land cover and vegetation maps
were interpreted from 1976,
1:10,000 aerial photo imagery. Final
data from report was dated 1979.
H
Timberland
area
1985
Used Cole et al. 1976 maps,
updating with inventory field plots
for timber volumes.
6(24)
Additional comments
FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
1.2.2
PALAU
Classification and definitions
National class
Definition
Forest land
Unreserved forest land
Land spanning more than 0.5 hectares and a tree canopy cover of more than
10 percent.
Forest land available for wood removals.
Protected forest land
Forest land that is not available for wood removals.
Limestone forest
Forest occurring on limestone substrate, generally in southern Palau’s Rock
Islands.
Forest occurring on volcanic soils, generally in northern Palau, especially
Babeldaob island.
Land used primarily for urban purposes.
Volcanic forest
Nonforest urban
Nonforest vegetation
Barren lands
Land characterized primarily by non-tree species or <10% canopy cover of
trees.
Lands with exposed soil, rock, or sand, devoid of vegetation.
Unknown
Further work is needed to determine land cover.
Water
Inland water bodies generally include major rivers, lakes and water reservoirs.
Note: If different national data sources use different classes and definitions, a table such as above is needed for
each relevant data source.
1.2.3
Original data
Land class
Forest:
Upland forest
Swamp forest
Mangrove forest
Plantation forest
Rock Island forest
Limestone forest
Casuarina forest
Atoll forest
Palm forest
Total forest
Secondary vegetation
Area (ha)
1979
21,891
1,680
4,708
26
1,116
1,232
451
155
<1
31,259
727
Agroforest:
Agroforest
Agroforest (w/coconut)
Coconut plantation
Total agroforest
16
279
814
1,109
Nonforest:
Marsh, fresh
Marsh, cultivated
Marsh, saline
Grassland
Strand
Cropland
Cropland/secondary veg.
Urban
Urban/cropland
475
134
25
6,783
11
203
28
397
176
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
Urban/agroforest
Urban/secondary veg.
Barren
Water
Total nonforest
61
3
180
48
8,524
Total area
41,619
2002 Land Cover Class
Barren
Forest
Non-forest vegetation
Unknown
Urban
Inland water
Total Area
1.3
PALAU
Area (sq. meters)
538,160
391,282,736
50,378,592
44,192
7,749,424
1,413,318
451,406,432
Area (ha)
54
39,128
5,038
4
775
141
45,141
Analysis and processing of national data
1.3.1 Calibration
FAOSTAT total area = 46,000 ha
Calibration factor 1979 = (46,000/41,619) = 1.105264422
Calibration factor 2002 = (46,000/45,141) = 1.01903734103278
All forest land
Other land
Water
Total
1.3.2
Estimation and forecasting
All forest land
Other land
Water
Total
1.4
Calibration to
Original data
FAOSTAT
1979
2002
1979
2002
Hectares
33,095
39,128
36,579
39,873
8,524
6,012
9,421
6,127
0
0
0
0
41,619
45,141
46,000
46,000
Original
Data
1979
33,095
8,524
0
41,619
Original
FAO Calibrated FAO Calibrated Change ∆ per year
Data
Data
Data
2002
1979
2002
23
39,128
36,579
39,873
3,294
143.217
6,012
9,421
6,127
-3,294
-143.217
0
0
0
0
0
45,141
46,000
46,000
Reclassification into FRA 2005 classes
The small amounts of agroforest and secondary forest were included in the total forest area.
The inland water in the original data was included in other land to match FAOSTAT data.
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
1.5
PALAU
Data for National reporting table T1
FRA 2005 Categories
Forest a
Other wooded land
Other land
...of which with tree cover
Inland water bodies
TOTAL
Area (1000 hectares)
1990
2000
38.154
39.587
NDA
NDA
7.846
6.413
NDA
NDA
0
0
46.000
46.000
2005
40.303
NDA
5.697
NDA
0
46.000
a
FRA 2000 reported forest area of 35,000 ha in 1990 and 2000. This figure was based on the MacLean et al. (1988) report
that covered only the most productive forest land, and only on the island of Babeldaob. Agroforest and secondary vegetation
was not included in that figure. The vegetation inventory (Cole et al. 1987) was used to maintain consistency for the total
area of reporting and to include all forested lands as with the 2001 inventory that did not try to separate gradations of
secondary forest and reverting agroforest from forested lands.
1.6
Comments to National reporting table T1
The values in table 1 are preliminary values based on rapid interpretation of satellite imagery
and will be updated at the end of 2005 with supplemental satellite imagery and ground
verification. For both the 1979 and the 2002 data, agroforest and secondary forest vegetation
were grouped with forest (approximately 5% of total land cover in 1979). Agroforest and tree
gardens are relatively small in area but are an important food, cultural, and craft resource for
Palauans. Agroforest and secondary vegetation often cannot be precisely delineated using
satellite imagery.
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
2 Table T2 – Ownership of Forest and Other wooded land
No quantitative data are available for forest ownership.
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Fact Sheet: “Approximately 40% of the
forest land is privately owned, though ownership of many tracts is currently subject to [legal]
determination. Nearly all the public land is owned by local communities (states and villages
within the Republic).”
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
3 Table T3 – Designated function of Forest and Other wooded
land
3.1
FRA 2005 Categories and definitions
Types of designation
Category
Definition
Primary function
A designated function is considered to be primary when it is significantly
more important than other functions. This includes areas that are legally or
voluntarily set aside for specific purposes.
Total area where a specific function has been designated, regardless whether
it is primary or not.
Total area with function
Designation categories
Category / Designated function
Definition
Production
Forest / Other wooded land designated for production and extraction of
forest goods, including both wood and non-wood forest products.
Forest / Other wooded land designated for protection of soil and water.
Forest / Other wooded land designated for conservation of biological
diversity.
Forest / Other wooded land designated for the provision of social services.
Forest / Other wooded land designated to any combination of: production
of goods, protection of soil and water, conservation of biodiversity and
provision of social services and where none of these alone can be
considered as being significantly more important than the others.
Forest / Other wooded land for which a specific function has not been
designated or where designated function is unknown.
Protection of soil and water
Conservation of biodiversity
Social services
Multiple purpose
No or unknown function
3.2
3.2.1
National data
Data sources
References to sources of
information
Mueller-Dombois, D., and
F. R. Fosberg. 1998.
Vegetation of the Tropical
Pacific Islands. SpringerVerlag, New York.
3.2.2
Quality
(H/M/L)
H
Variable(s)
Year(s)
Designation
of forests
Additional comments
Descriptive information based on
field visits and extensive experience
in the tropical Pacific.
Classification and definitions
No national classification is available for designated function.
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
3.3
PALAU
Analysis and processing of national data
3.3.1 Calibration
Same as table 1.
3.3.2
Estimation and forecasting
Same as table 1.
3.4
Reclassification into FRA 2005 classes
None.
3.5
Data for National reporting table T3
Area (1000 hectares)
Primary function
Total area with function
FRA 2005 Categories /
Designated function
1990
Forest
Production
Protection of soil and water
Conservation of biodiversity
Social services
Multiple purpose
No or unknown function
Total - Forest
Other wooded land
Production
Protection of soil and water
Conservation of biodiversity
Social services
Multiple purpose
No or unknown function
Total – Other wooded land
3.6
2000
2005
38.1544
39.5866
38.1544
39.5866
NDA
NDA
1990
2000
40.3027
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
40.3027
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
not appl.
NDA
2005
Comments to National reporting table T3
All forested lands are assumed to be multiple purpose. Palau has been moderately active in
growing Mahogany species for craft and minimal timber production, but reliable statistics on
the extent is currently lacking. The total area involved is a very small percentage of forest
land.
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
4 Table T4 – Characteristics of Forest and Other wooded land
4.1
FRA 2005 Categories and definitions
Category
Primary
Modified natural
Semi-natural
Productive plantation
Protective plantation
4.2
4.2.1
National data
Data sources
References to sources of
information
Mueller-Dombois, D.,
and F. R. Fosberg. 1998.
Vegetation of the
Tropical Pacific Islands.
Springer-Verlag, New
York.
Cole, T. G., M. C.
Falanruw, C. D.
MacLean, C. D.
Whitesell, and A. H.
Ambacher. 1987.
Vegetation Survey of the
Republic of Palau.
Resource Bulletin PSWRB-22, Pacific Southwest
Research Station, USDA
Forest Service.
4.2.2
Definition
Forest / Other wooded land of native species, where there are no clearly
visible indications of human activities and the ecological processes are not
significantly disturbed.
Forest / Other wooded land of naturally regenerated native species where there
are clearly visible indications of human activities.
Forest / Other wooded land of native species, established through planting,
seeding or assisted natural regeneration.
Forest / Other wooded land of introduced species, and in some cases native
species, established through planting or seeding mainly for production of
wood or non wood goods.
Forest / Other wooded land of native or introduced species, established
through planting or seeding mainly for provision of services.
Quality
(H/M/L)
H
H
Variable(s)
Year(s)
Descriptive
characteristics
of forests
Characteristics
based on
aerial survey.
Additional comments
Descriptive information based on
field visits and extensive
experience in the tropical Pacific.
1979
Based on photo interpretation of
forest and vegetation types.
Classification and definitions
No national classification available for forest characteristics.
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
4.3
PALAU
Data for National reporting table T4
No quantitative data are available for forest characteristics.
4.4
Comments to National reporting table T4
Delineation of forest according to FRA 2005 categories has not been attempted. Cole et al.
(1987; figure 3) classified 75% of the area in Palau as “Forest”, 1% as “Secondary
Vegetation”, 3% as “Agroforest”, and 21% as “Nonforest”. No reference is made to human
disturbance or alteration of ecological processes in their aerial-photo-based classification.
From a descriptive standpoint, the more remote, southern Rock Islands are relatively
undisturbed, except Peleliu and Angaur, which were razed in World War II. Interior forests
on Babeldaob are also relatively undisturbed with characteristics leaning toward primary
forest.
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
5 Table T5 – Growing stock
5.1
FRA 2005 Categories and definitions
Category
Growing stock
Commercial growing stock
5.2
5.2.1
National data
Data sources
References to sources of
information
Cole, T. G., M. C.
Falanruw, C. D. MacLean,
C. D. Whitesell, and A. H.
Ambacher. 1987.
Vegetation Survey of the
Republic of Palau.
Resource Bulletin PSWRB-22, Pacific Southwest
Research Station, USDA
Forest Service.
5.2.2
Definition
Volume over bark of all living trees more than X cm in diameter at breast
height (or above buttress if these are higher). Includes the stem from ground
level or stump height up to a top diameter of Y cm, and may also include
branches to a minimum diameter of W cm.
The part of the growing stock of species that are considered as commercial or
potentially commercial under current market conditions, and with a diameter at
breast height of Z cm or more.
Quality
(H/M/L)
H
Variable(s)
Year(s)
Volume on
most
productive
forest lands
1985
Additional comments
Inventory does not cover lands, but
accounts for approximately 89% of
the forested lands.
Classification and definitions
National class
Definition
Timberland volume
Volume of wood on land that is capable of producing at least 1.4 cubic
meters per hectare per year of industrial wood.
Note: If different national data sources use different classes and definitions, a table such as above is needed for
each relevant data source.
5.2.3
Original data
Timberland
types:
Upland
forest
Total volume
2.511
5.3
Mangrove Swamp
forest
forest
Million cubic meters
0.206
0.231
All
types
2.948
Analysis and processing of national data
5.3.1 Estimation and forecasting
Data reported for 1990 was collected in 1985.
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
5.4
PALAU
Reclassification into FRA 2005 classes
None.
5.5
Data for National reporting table T5
Growing stock
1990
2.948
Volume (million cubic meters over bark)
Forest
Other wooded land
2000
2005
1990
2000
2005
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
Commercial growing stock
NDA
NDA
FRA 2005 Categories
Specification of country threshold values
NDA
NDA
Unit
Value
1. Minimum diameter at breast height of trees
included in Growing stock (X)
cm
12.5
2. Minimum diameter at the top end of stem (Y) for
calculation of Growing stock
cm
27.5
3. Minimum diameter of branches included in
Growing stock (W)
cm
4. Minimum diameter at breast height of trees in
Commercial growing stock (Z)
cm
5. Volume refers to “Above ground” (AG) or
“Above stump” (AS)
AG / AS
6. Have any of the above thresholds (points 1 to 4)
changed since 1990
Yes/No
7. If yes, then attach a separate note giving details
of the change
Attachment
16(24)
AS
NDA
NDA
Complementary
information
FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
6 Table T6 – Biomass stock
6.1
FRA 2005 Categories and definitions
Category
Above-ground biomass
Below-ground biomass
Dead wood biomass
6.2
6.2.1
National data
Data sources
References to sources of
information
Cole, T. G., M. C.
Falanruw, C. D. MacLean,
C. D. Whitesell, and A. H.
Ambacher. 1987.
Vegetation Survey of the
Republic of Palau.
Resource Bulletin PSWRB-22, Pacific Southwest
Research Station, USDA
Forest Service.
Penman, J., M. Gytarsky,
T. Hiraishi, T. Krug, D.
Kruger, R. Pipatti, L.
Buendia, K. Miwa, T.
Ngara, K. Tanabe, and F.
Wagner, editors. 2003.
Good Practice Guidance
for Land Use, Land-Use
Change and Forestry.
Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change,
National Greenhouse Gas
Inventories Programme,
Institute for Global
Environmental Strategies
(IGES), Hayama,
Kanagawa, Japan,.
6.2.2
Definition
All living biomass above the soil including stem, stump, branches, bark, seeds,
and foliage.
All living biomass of live roots. Fine roots of less than 2mm diameter are excluded
because these often cannot be distinguished empirically from soil organic matter or
litter.
All non-living woody biomass not contained in the litter, either standing, lying on
the ground, or in the soil. Dead wood includes wood lying on the surface, dead
roots, and stumps larger than or equal to 10 cm in diameter or any other diameter
used by the country.
Quality
(H/M/L)
H
Variable(s)
Year(s)
Volume on
most
productive
forest lands
1985
M
Biomass
expansion
factors and
ratio of
aboveground
to
belowground
biomass.
2003
Additional comments
Inventory does not cover lands, but
accounts for approximately 89% of
the forested lands.
Classification and definitions
National class
Definition
Timberland biomass
Biomass of wood on land that is capable of producing at least 1.4 cubic
meters per hectare per year of industrial wood.
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
6.3
PALAU
Analysis and processing of national data
Biomass was calculated using total stem volumes from table 5 and an average wood density
(0.5), biomass expansion factor (3.4; tropical broadleaf), and aboveground to belowground
ratio estimator (0.24; Primary tropical/sub-tropical moist forest).
6.4
Data for National reporting table T6
Above-ground biomass
Below-ground biomass
Dead wood biomass
Biomass (million metric tonnes oven-dry weight)
Forest
Other wooded land
1990
2000
2005
1990
2000
2005
1.4740
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
0.3538
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
TOTAL
1.8278
FRA 2005 Categories
6.5
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
NDA
Comments to National reporting table T6
1990 biomass figure is from 1985 data on timberland volume (Cole et al. 1987).
18(24)
FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
7 Table T7 – Carbon stock
7.1
FRA 2005 Categories and definitions
Category
Carbon in above-ground biomass
Carbon in below-ground biomass
Carbon in dead wood biomass
Carbon in litter
Soil carbon
7.2
7.2.1
Definition
Carbon in all living biomass above the soil, including stem, stump,
branches, bark, seeds, and foliage.
Carbon in all living biomass of live roots. Fine roots of less than 2 mm
diameter are excluded, because these often cannot be distinguished
empirically from soil organic matter or litter.
Carbon in all non-living woody biomass not contained in the litter, either
standing, lying on the ground, or in the soil. Dead wood includes wood
lying on the surface, dead roots, and stumps larger than or equal to 10 cm in
diameter or any other diameter used by the country.
Carbon in all non-living biomass with a diameter less than a minimum
diameter chose by the country for lying dead (for example 10 cm), in
various states of decomposition above the mineral or organic soil. This
includes the litter, fumic, and humic layers.
Organic carbon in mineral and organic soils (including peat) to a specified
depth chosen by the country and applied consistently through the time
series.
National data
Data sources
References to sources of
information
Cole, T. G., M. C.
Falanruw, C. D. MacLean,
C. D. Whitesell, and A. H.
Ambacher. 1987.
Vegetation Survey of the
Republic of Palau.
Resource Bulletin PSWRB-22, Pacific Southwest
Research Station, USDA
Forest Service.
Penman, J., M. Gytarsky,
T. Hiraishi, T. Krug, D.
Kruger, R. Pipatti, L.
Buendia, K. Miwa, T.
Ngara, K. Tanabe, and F.
Wagner, editors. 2003.
Good Practice Guidance
for Land Use, Land-Use
Change and Forestry.
Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change,
National Greenhouse Gas
Inventories Programme,
Institute for Global
Environmental Strategies
(IGES), Hayama,
Kanagawa, Japan,.
Quality
(H/M/L)
H
M
Variable(s)
Year(s)
Volume on
most
productive
forest lands
1985
Biomass
expansion
factors and
ratio of
aboveground
to
belowground
biomass.
2003
19(24)
Additional comments
Inventory does not cover lands, but
accounts for approximately 89% of
the forested lands.
FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
7.2.2
PALAU
Classification and definitions
National class
Definition
Timberland carbon mass
Carbon mass of wood on land that is capable of producing at least 1.4
cubic meters per hectare per year of industrial wood.
7.2.3 Original data
See table 5 and 6.
7.3
Analysis and processing of national data
Carbon stock was calculated using biomass data from table T6 and a carbon content of 50%.
7.4
Data for National reporting table T7
FRA 2005 Categories
1990
Carbon in above-ground biomass
0.7370
Carbon in below-ground biomass
0.1769
Sub-total: Carbon in living biomass
0.9139
Carbon in dead wood
NDA
Carbon in litter
NDA
Sub-total: Carbon in dead wood and
litter
NDA
Soil carbon to a depth of _____ cm
NDA
TOTAL CARBON
7.5
Carbon (Million metric tonnes)
Forest
Other wooded land
2000
2005
1990
2000
2005
0.9139
Comments to National reporting table T7
1990 carbon mass figure is from 1985 data on timberland volume (Cole et al. 1987).
20(24)
FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
8 Table T8 – Disturbances affecting health and vitality
No quantitative data are available for forest disturbance on Palau.
21(24)
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PALAU
9 Table T9 – Diversity of tree species
9.1
FRA 2005 Categories and definitions
Category
Number of native tree species
Definition
The total number of native tree species that have been identified within
the country.
Number of critically endangered
tree species
The number of native tree species that are classified as “Critically
endangered” in the IUCN red list.
Number of endangered tree
species
The number of native tree species that are classified as “Endangered” in the
IUCN red list.
Number of vulnerable tree species
The number of native tree species that are classified as “Vulnerable” in the
IUCN red list.
9.2
9.2.1
National data
Classification and definitions
No national classification available.
9.3
Data for National reporting table T9
FRA 2005 Categories
Native tree species
Number of species
(year 2000)
NDA
Critically endangered tree species
0
Endangered tree species
0
Vulnerable tree species
3
9.4
Comments to National reporting table T9
From IUCN red list of vulnerable tree species in Palau:
Aglaia mariannensis
Parkia parvifoliola
Pericopsis mooniana
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FRA 2005 – Country Report 046
PALAU
10 Table T10 – Growing stock composition
10.1 FRA 2005 Categories and definitions
List of species names (scientific and common names) of the ten most common species.
10.2 National data
10.2.1 Data sources
References to sources of
information
Cole, T. G., M. C.
Falanruw, C. D. MacLean,
C. D. Whitesell, and A. H.
Ambacher. 1987.
Vegetation Survey of the
Republic of Palau.
Resource Bulletin PSWRB-22, Pacific Southwest
Research Station, USDA
Forest Service.
Quality
(H/M/L)
H
Variable(s)
Year(s)
Growing
stock
composition
1985
Additional comments
Lower productivity areas are
missing from the survey.
10.3 Data for National reporting table T10
FRA 2005 Categories / Species name
(Scientific name and common name)
Campnosperma brevipetiolata
Parinari corymbosa
Horsfieldia amklaal
Pinanga insignis
Alphitonia carolinensis
Cocos nucifera
Gmelina palawensis
Calophyllum inophyllum
Rhus taitensis
Horsfieldia novo-guineensis
Remainder of species
TOTAL
Growing Stock in Forests
(million cubic meters)
1990
2000
0.370
0.328
0.232
0.215
0.151
0.142
0.137
0.121
0.099
0.093
1.060
2.948
NDA
10.4 Comments to National reporting table T10
1990 volume figure is from 1985 data on timberland volume (Cole et al. 1987).
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PALAU
11 Table T11 – Wood removal
No data available for wood removals.
12 Table T12 – Value of wood removal
No data available for the value of wood removals.
13 Table T13 – Non-wood forest product removal
No data available for non-wood forest products removal.
14 Table T14 – Value of non-wood forest product removal
No data available for the value of the removal of non-wood forest products.
15 Table T15 – Employment in forestry
No data available for employment in forestry.
24(24)