The forest conservation needs of countries with low forest cover have generally
been neglected. In response to this, the Intergovernmental Panel on Forest
(IPF) has included a focus on these countries in its programme of work.
UNEP-WCMC has compiled a preliminary dataset on forests in these countries
which forms the basis for an IPF briefing paper. The following information
is drawn from an analysis of this information.
Many countries have low forest cover, especially in terms of forest
cover per capita.
- More than 25% of countries included in the 1995 FAO Forest Resources
Assessment have less than 7% forest cover
- Nearly three-quarters of all the countries in the world have less
than one hectare of forest per inhabitant
Though small, forests in countries with low forest cover may be of global
and national significance for biodiversity.
- Fifteen forest Endemic Bird Areas are restricted to low forest
countries, and include several of the highest identified bird conservation
priorities amongst forest areas
- In countries which have undergone extensive forest clearance, remaining
forest fragments are likely to act as `island refuges' for species
once widespread but now severely reduced in range and vulnerable to
extinction
- Nationally, remaining natural forests in low forest cover countries
will almost always be high priorities for conservation as they will
hold significant biodiversity not present elsewhere in the country;
an even representation of all habitats in national protected areas
networks is desirable
Forests in low forest cover countries are poorly known and poorly protected.
- Data on both forest extent and the biodiversity contained within
them are generally sparse, scattered and sometimes inconsistent. Some
countries with biologically important forests are shown by the FAO
Forest Resources Assessment to have no forest cover
- On average, the extent of protected areas in low forest cover countries
is 3.6% of land area, compared to a global mean of more than 6%
- A review by UNEP-WCMC of the distribution of protected areas in the
tropics relative to ecofloristic zones indicates that moist forested
zones are better protected than dry forested or arid regions
Low forest cover countries may require different strategies for forest
conservation and protected area management from countries with a large
forest estate
Forests in countries with low forest cover are by definition scarce
resources and are therefore likely to be under disproportionate pressure
compared with those elsewhere. It is unlikely therefore that large areas
will be able to be set aside solely for the purpose of biodiversity
conservation. Integrated land-use planning, controlled resource use
within forests and reafforestation or afforestation to alleviate pressure
on natural forests are all likely to be particularly important components
of forest conservation planning in these countries.
The UNEP-WCMC Forest Programme exists to provide accurate, up-to-date
and accessible information on the conservation of forests, working in
collaboration with conservation and development agencies worldwide. The
Forest Programme draws on extensive databases on species, habitats and
protected areas, together with expertise on data management, international
forestry policy, capacity building and indicator development.
UNEP-WCMC continues to develop its databases on forests, protected areas,
and is actively seeking collaboration to improve it holdings, especially
with respect to low forest countries.
Further work will:
- help identify priority regions, countries and forest areas for
conservation
- identify common challenges in countries with low forest cover
- assist develop national information management capacities
- support the development of appropriate management strategies