Towards an Analytical Framework for Defining Forest Degradation Markku Simula FAO Consultant Preparatory CPF Meeting on Forest Degradation 20 March 2009, Rome

Degradation and Related Processes Restoration Forest (non-degraded) - primary - other Degraded forest Degraded forest land (non-forest) Rehabilitation Natural expansion Degradation process

Simplified Illustration of Human-induced Forest Degradation Production/multiple-use forest - natural - semi-natural - planted ”Old growth” forest Primary forest Restoration Protection Secondary forest Logging and management Management Illegal logging and encroachment ”Degraded” forest Rehabilitation - reforestation - soil conservation Natural expansion of forest Natural expansion of forest Degraded forest land (deforested) - grassland - other non- forest Non-forest land Planned land-use conversion (deforestation) Afforestation Management

Degradation Thresholds Crown cover % (example) ”Undegraded forest” ”Degraded forest” ”Non-forest” Forest Restoration Rehabilitation A/R Original status Time

Degree of Degradation Crown cover % (example) 100 Forest threshold Degree of degradation Non- degraded (undisturbed, little disturbed) Slightly degraded forest Moderatey degraded forest Severely degraded forest Deforested (degrated forest land)

Options for ”Rationalisation” of Definitions 1.Decomposition 2.Theoretical elimination -trade-offs -correlation 3.SFM elements (C&I framework) 4.Clustering 5.Composite indices (involves subjective weighting)

Decomposition Factors of Forest Degradation (1/2) ElementSub-elementUNFCCCCBDFRAITTOCountries Forest coverThresholds StockingThresholds Forest structureAge stucture Species composition FunctionsGoods Services Other ResilienceEcosystem capacity Ecosystem processes Ecosystem shift Time scaleShort-term Long-term Permanent Temporary CauseHuman induced Natural Indeterminate TO BE COMPLETED

Decomposition Factors of Forest Degradation (2/2) ElementSub-elementUNFCCCCBDFRAITTOCountries Reference stateNatural Previous state Other Spatial scaleStand FMU Watershed Landscape Degree of degradation Thresholds ProcessDirect Indirect TO BE COMPLETED

Degradation and SFM Elements

Assessment of Degradation Purpose of assessment  Extent and quality of degradation  Drivers and impacts of degradation Levels of assessment  National  Sub-national  Landscape/watershed  Forest management unit  Stand Implications for (inter alia)  Choice of inidicators  Choice of assessment methodology Not to be considered: - Ecosystem level as functional entity

Terms Associated with Degradation Processes Degradation Disturbance Improvement Restoration Rehabilitation (incl. A/R) Degradation status Undegraded/undisturbed Degraded forest Degraded forest land (deforested land) Forest Forest type - Primary forest (old growth) - Secondary forest - Semi-natrural forest - Planted forest Carbon stock / flow Biomass Soil Biodiversity Habitat quality Fragmentation Connectivity Species diversity Other Permanence Resilience/reversibility/ecolo- gical integrity Reference status Cause: human induced/natural

Questions to the Participants What are we aiming at: –Harmonization through increased convergence and comparability between existing definitions –Operationalization of various definitions for specific purposes –More operational common definition Is the proposed analytical framework appropriate Which related terms need to be tackled Which ”rationalization” approaches to be applied –Decomposition –SFM elements –Other