Despite the improved approach and transparency the forest plantation resources data remains weak. There is insufficient reliability and consistency of information on purpose, ownership, species composition, age classes, annual planting rates, growth rates, harvest yields, forest products, realisation etc.
Data sets are not directly comparable between publications but are indicative of trends only. The application of adjustment factors from gross to net area figures on a country or regional basis for the 1990 data sets and the Global Outlook for Future Wood Supply from Forest Plantations are particularly significant in the data not being directly comparable with FRA 1980 and FRA 2000 data sets.
The lack of data is a serious constraint in policy and planning formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting. Until the forest plantation database is improved, analysis on future scenarios may not provide a true assessment of forest plantation potential.
It is necessary for countries with support from FAO to establish national mechanisms to strengthen their national inventory programmes, databases, management information system, adoption of standard terms, definitions and reporting protocols.
