APPENDIX IV - PRESENTATIONS MADE BY THE WORKING GROUPS

Below are typed copies of the presentations made by the working groups. These have been copied from their overhead projection slides (OHP) and have not been edited for style or content.

a) Forest Resources Group Report

The group identified threats, described current practices of information management and listed national capacity and assistance needed.

OHP 1: Identified threats to the forest resources of the countries in the region

­  inadequate land use policies;

­  conversion of forest other land use;

­  shifting cultivation;

­  squatting;

­  hurricane;

­  industrialisation;

­  tourism;

­  forest fires;

­  mining.

The forest cover is shrinking due to the above and the quality of the forest is decreasing.

OHP 2: Current information management practices

Forest resources information is being gathered on a case to case basis. Most countries have no systematic approach to continuing assessment. Information gathered must be designed to address country-specific needs. The type of information needed:

­  extent of forest cover on forest lands;

­  location and extent of forest lands for each purpose (e.g. protection & production);

­  forest types and the potential which exists to serve each purpose;

­  needed forest resources information;

­  forest area: type, disturbance, species group, availability for wood supply, ownership and management, eco-floristic zone, protection status and change;

­  forest plantations: area, species ownership, function;

­  volume and biomass: biomass, growing stock, commercial volume, increment, losses, felling and removal, change and carbon sink;

­  forest health: forest fire, disease and pests;

­  none-wood forest products;

­  urban forest, aesthetics;

­  forest valuation of tangible and intangible benefits.

This information is needed for policy formulation, planning, management and education as well as for use by policy makers at the level of Heads of departments/agencies, forest/watershed managers, investor, researchers and general stake holders.

As to methodology, the forestry institutions in each country is mainly responsible for collection and analysing data, however, various other local and foreign agencies contribute to the process of field data collection and remote sensing (Aerial photography & Satellite imagery).

OHP3: National capacity and assistance needed

All countries except Cuba have some capability for GIS but certain constraints still exist throughout the region. Cuba will update the last forest inventory from 1980 using traditional technology. The following specific training needs have been identified:

­  information management (digital & hard copy);

­  structures recording practices in storage and retrieval of information;

­  acquisition of recorded observations from informal sources;

­  technical expertise;

­  standardisation of data collection methods and preparation of manuals.

It is recommended that data management should be institutionalised and that inter-agency coordination/communication should be improved by emphasising the importance of data collection and management.

b) Forest products group report

The group presented information about the quality and relevance of data, the need to increase scope and capacity building.

OHP 4: Statement on the quality (accuracy) and relevance of current data coverage

­  There is infrequent (irregular) collection of data with inconsistent units and data collected by lots of different unrelated agencies. There is no collaboration between the various agencies.

­  The raw data may be collected yet no analysis done. In many instances information is unavailable. There is no central repository for data storage and dissemination. For this institutional strengthening in a priority.

OHP 5: Statement on the need to increase or not the scope of the data coverage

There is a need to increase the scope of coverage as certain products are not captured (e.g. Fuelwood and non-wood forest products, ecotourism) and to have a comprehensive documentation of the value and contribution of forest resources as part of the national accounting systems (e.g. watershed, agri-planning, ecotourism, soil conservation and fertility, wildlife and biodiversity).

OHP 6: As regards capacity building, the group made the following recommendations

for roundwood

­  role of staff needs to be redefined to include collaboration/participation of other stakeholders;

­  management information system and appropriate linkages need to be formally put in place;

­  relevant/appropriate linkages between institutions need to be formally established (i.e. memorandum of agreement);

­  information must be standardised;

­  urgent need for related equipment;

­  there is an urgent need to enact legislation;

­  there is also an appropriate licensing system - also need to be reviewed and developed.

for fuelwood

­  Surveys are necessary ;

­  a regional project for baseline information with donor assistance is needed.

for non-wood forest products

­  a regional project for baseline information with donor assistance is needed.

for forest product trade

­  records maintained by all relevant agencies need to be standardised and reconciled;

­  international grading rules should be adapted at regional level (NB: - recommend Guyana to coordinate initiative);

­  certification - sustainable forest management plans will be needed before forests can be certified.

c) Forestry Sector State, Issues, Trends and Feasible Policy Actions

OHP 7: Trends in forest cover

OHP 8: Current status of ownership and management

OHP 9: Trends in production of wood and other products

OHP 10: Expected trends in contribution of forestry to employment and income

OHP 11: Expected trends in forest industries

OHP 12: Expected trends in trade of forest resources and dependence

OHP 13: Expected trends in consumption and non-consumptive use

Consumption: The larger countries with large resources are moving towards a position of exports/ improved exports. The smaller countries whose resources are dwindling are moving towards increase imports. Countries with increasing management will see a stable consumption will eventually satisfy their demands.

Non-Consumption: All are on the increase with some focus on ecotourism. Increase visitation to parks and recreational facilities will eventually necessitate improvement in infrastructure. This will also account for the increase in the number of local visitors.

There is a trend moving from extractive to conservation activities. This is in relation to watershed protection and biodiversity protection.