Using the extensive datasets and maps it develops and manages, the UNEP-WCMC Forest Programme produces syntheses, analyses and indicators of forest status and trends to facilitate policy and decision-making relating to the conservation and wise management of the world's forests and their biodiversity.

Forests in Flux Project and Searchable Database

The Forests in Flux project is using information on the predicted responses of forest ecosystems to global climate change to identify priority forest areas for inclusion in a global network of protected areas to conserve forest into the future. This website provides a summary of the current situation and future goals of the project and contains searchable databases which include reviewed recent reference material on forests and climate change.

Mapping Forests and Poverty in South Asia - Internet Map Server
This innovative website uses an internet map server to enable decision-makers to view forest cover in relation to indicators of poverty, population pressure, water catchments, conservation status and biodiversity. Existing development and conservation projects can be viewed in this context, providing a valuable tool for evaluating potential projects and their likely impacts. (coming soon)

Living Planet Index

The Living Planet Index, developed for WWF, quantifies changes in the status of the worlds forest, freshwater and marine ecosystems and their biodiversity over the last 30 years. The 1998 and 1999 Living Planet Reports, which contain regional and national trends in forest cover is available through the WWF website. The Living Planet Report 2000, which will be launched in the autumn, includes a species-based index of forest ecosystem status.

European Forest Gap Analysis (2000)
The European Forest Gap Analysis (2000) provides maps and data tables showing the extent, distribution and degree of protection of 20 broad forest classes and 66 specific forest types in Europe.

Prioritisation of Target Areas for Forest Restoration

UNEP-WCMC has been working with WWF to develop criteria and analytical approaches to identify high priority Target Areas for Forest Restoration. The criteria employed so far include: potential forest cover in relation to current forest area; current land use; proximity to existing forest areas; human population density; and biodiversity hotspots. The approach has been piloted for the Mediterranean region. Following review it will be (1) refined and applied in other regions and (2) modified for use at more local scales. For more information, please contact the Forest Programme.

Forest Cover Change

Despite the demand for information on trends in Forest Cover Change, there are few time series data sets (from country through to global level) available worldwide which permit this type of analysis. UNEP-WCMC requests any information on the availability of suitable data sets that will increase the the capacity for this type of analysis at different scales. Please contact the Forest Programme with any relevant information and knowledge of such datasets.

The most comprehensive data on Forest Cover Change is given in FAO's State of the World's Forests 1999 publication. Annex 3, Data Table 3 provides an estimate of forest cover change between 1990 and 1995 for FAO's regions broken down by country and ecofloristic zone.