State of the world's forests: Part I - The situation and developments in the forest sector

Abstract

In 2001, FAO published the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 (FRA 2000), the most comprehensive such survey ever undertaken. Largely based on information provided by the countries themselves and a remote sensing survey of tropical countries, it was supplemented by special studies undertaken by FAO. Among the outputs were two new global forest cover maps, estimates of forest cover, deforestation rates and forest biomass for each country, and several specialized studies on such topics as forest management and forest fires. After the release of FRA 2000 (FAO, 2001), an international meeting of experts was convened to review results and plan future steps. The present chapter highlights some of the recommendations arising from these discussions, notes trends pointing to continued deforestation as a result of pressure to increase agricultural production, and reports on the conversion and conservation of mangroves.