UNFCCC Workshop on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries Definitional Issues Wulf Killmann, FAO Definitional Issues Wulf Killmann, FAO

General Aspects Core Terms –Forest –Deforestation –Forest Degradation Supporting Terms Core Terms –Forest –Deforestation –Forest Degradation Supporting Terms

GHG emissions from forests Natural processes & calamities Conversion to cropland, grasslands, wetlands, settlements Conversion to planted forest Sustainable Management and use of forests Unsustainable use of forests Natural processes & calamities Conversion to cropland, grasslands, wetlands, settlements Conversion to planted forest Sustainable Management and use of forests Unsustainable use of forests

Forest Change Processes

Forest MA and FRA compared Land use or land cover Different thresholds Choice of thresholds up to countries Criteria: historical reporting Importance of national definitions MA and FRA compared Land use or land cover Different thresholds Choice of thresholds up to countries Criteria: historical reporting Importance of national definitions

Forest Issues & Choices Single definition Fragmented forests, forest fallow Strip width Issues & Choices Single definition Fragmented forests, forest fallow Strip width

Deforestation Forest losses/gains can have human and natural causes Conversion forest to non-forest Temporarily unstocked areas do not count as deforested Forest losses/gains can have human and natural causes Conversion forest to non-forest Temporarily unstocked areas do not count as deforested

Deforestation Issues & Choices MA includes agro -& urban forestry Deforestation or net loss of forest ? Avoided deforestation Issues & Choices MA includes agro -& urban forestry Deforestation or net loss of forest ? Avoided deforestation

Forest Degradation Decreases forest’s capacity to fulfill its functions Happens within forest Human and/or natural causes Short-term assessment difficult Not every carbon stock reduction = forest degradation Canopy cover no good proxy Decreases forest’s capacity to fulfill its functions Happens within forest Human and/or natural causes Short-term assessment difficult Not every carbon stock reduction = forest degradation Canopy cover no good proxy

Forest degradation and supporting terms

Forest Degradation Issues & Choices How address fragmentation Spatial scale Quantitative thresholds Direct and/or indirect human impact Carbon stock reduction or forest degradation Issues & Choices How address fragmentation Spatial scale Quantitative thresholds Direct and/or indirect human impact Carbon stock reduction or forest degradation

Conclusions Definitions should be clear & unambiguous Existing definitions preferable Parameters should be measurable during assessments Distinction needed between –deforestation & net loss of forests –deforestation & forest degradation –carbon stock reduction & forest degradation Definitions should be clear & unambiguous Existing definitions preferable Parameters should be measurable during assessments Distinction needed between –deforestation & net loss of forests –deforestation & forest degradation –carbon stock reduction & forest degradation

Parties to decide which processes to cover on terms & definitions which forest definition to apply Parties to decide which processes to cover on terms & definitions which forest definition to apply Conclusions

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