Differing definitions of forest, forest land and forest cover

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2.1 Differing definitions of forest, forest land and forest cover

International organizations and various relevant conventions rely on different definitions and classifications of “forest” and “forest land”. For example, FAO defines forest as a land area of more than 0.5 ha, with trees higher than 5 m and a canopy cover of more than 10 percent. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC defines forest as a land area that is 0.01–1 ha in size, with trees higher than 2–5 m and a crown cover of 10–30 percent. The United Nations Environment Programme 2001 distinguishes between “forest cover” as a canopy density greater than 10 percent and “closed forest” as a canopy density of 40 percent. Greater harmonization of the definitions used would be beneficial in reducing errors, reducing the burden and costs of reporting and minimizing confusion in communicating with stakeholders, the media and the public FAO, 2002. There are also differences at the national level. For example, Lao PDR uses a minimum canopy density of 20 percent to define “forest”, while other ASEAN countries use a minimum of 10 percent canopy cover. The use of the 10 percent threshold for areas defined as forests means that significant changes in forest cover above this threshold go unrecorded – considerable forest degradation may occur without being reflected in official statistics Figure 2, leading to “hidden deforestation” FAO, 2011; Sasaki and Putz, 2009. Figure 2: Representations of 70 percent, 40 percent, 20 percent and 10 percent canopy cover 10 In Indonesia, there is reportedly around 15 million ha of forest outside the designated forest estate. See the CIFOR Forests news blog at http:blog.cifor. org3753land-tenure-reform-starting-to-gain-momentum-in-indonesia.UigikmmkdMs [5 Sept. 2013]. Additionally, the term “forest land” is used as a legal or administrative term rather than the presence of forest of trees. For example, in Indonesia, a “forest area” refers to an area of land that has been designated as permanent forest land by the Government, regardless of whether trees are present. Bare or degraded forest land that has been set aside for regeneration and fallow land used in shifting cultivation also may be classed as forest land even though the land does not have permanent tree cover. And there may be considerable areas of forest that exist outside the area officially designated as forest land. 10 Statistics on total forest cover frequently include both natural and planted forests and can mask the conversion of natural forests to plantations. A detailed assessment of changes in the types of forest cover is needed to identify and understand trends. Many experts do not consider plantations to be “forest” because they are monocultures, often consisting of non-native species and not performing the full functions of a healthy natural forest ecosystem FAO, 2002. As well, natural forests contain an estimated five to ten times more carbon stocks than tree plantations VNFOREST, 2013. The ability to distinguish between natural forests and plantations is of particular importance in calculating forest carbon stocks and the emissions associated with the conversion of natural forests to planted forests. National definitions of forest and forest cover types also vary Table 3. For example, bamboo forests and unstocked forests are included in forest cover assessments in the Philippines but not in Lao PDR. Forest definitions, classifications, survey methods and technologies used to calculate forest cover also change and develop over time, so historical forest data may Source: FAO, 2011. 12 not be comparable. And the reported increases or decreases in forest cover may be a result of the different definitions, methodologies and technologies used rather than a reflection of actual changes on the ground. Table 3: National forest definitions The use of different definitions by each ASEAN country makes uniform reporting on forests and forest cover in the region extremely challenging. Additionally, many forestry issues are cross-border in nature and require collaboration between countries to tackle them effectively. The different definitions and understandings of terms and the different methodologies used makes reporting and coordination more difficult. Country Cambodia Indonesia Lao PDR Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Thailand Viet Nam The 2006 forest assessment used the FAO definition of forest: 10 percent or more canopy coverage, minimum area of 0.5 ha and minimum 5 m tree height RGC, 2010. The 2010 forest classification included evergreen forest, semi-evergreen forest, deciduous forest, other forest, wood shrub dry, wood shrub evergreen, bamboo, mangrove forest and rubber plantation mangrove forest and rubber plantations were added in 2010. Forest area is any particular area designated by the Government to be permanent forest. Forest cover includes primary dryland forest, secondary dryland forest, primary swamp forest, secondary swamp forest, primary mangrove forest, secondary mangrove forest and plantation forest MOF, 2012. “Current forest” is defined as natural forest or tree plantation with a canopy density greater than 20 percent, a minimum area of 0.5 ha and average tree height above 5 m. Bamboo forest, fallow forest and unstocked forest with less than 20 percent canopy density are not included as current forest GOL, 2005. The Government uses the FAO definition of land area greater than 0.5 ha, with trees higher than 5 m and a minimum 10 percent canopy cover or trees able to reach these thresholds in situ. Data on forest cover include permanent reserved forest, state land forest, national parks, wildlife and bird sanctuaries and rubber plantations FAO, 2010b. Forest area is land with tree crown cover or equivalent stocking level of more than 10 percent and an area of more than 0.5 ha. The trees should reach a minimum height of 5 m at maturity in situ MOF, 2005. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources uses the following definition of forest: land areas greater than 0.5 ha, with a tree crown of more than 10 percent and trees capable of reaching a height of 5 m at maturity. Young natural stands and forestry plantations in which trees have yet to reach 10 percent crown and 5 m in height are included as forests as well as temporarily unstocked areas that are expected to revert to forest. The definition includes rubber plantations, bamboo, palm and fern formations, forest nurseries, seed orchards, forest roads and firebreaks. Coconut and oil palm plantations are not included DENR, 2005. The existing forest area is defined as land spanning more than 0.6 ha that can be classified using Landsat data, at 30m resolution. It does not include land predominantly under agricultural or urban land use FAO, 2010c. Forest cover assessments include natural forests, secondary and planted forests and the following forest types: tropical evergreen, mixed deciduous, dry dipterocarp, swamp forest, inundated forest, beach forest, pine forest, bamboo forest and mangrove forest. The national definition of forest is an area of at least 0.5 ha, with trees higher than 3 m and a canopy cover of 0.3 ha or growing stock over 30 m3 per ha FAO, 2010d. Assessments of forest cover include natural forests of timber, bamboo, mangrove, mixed and rocky mountain forest and plantations of timber, bamboo, mangrove and other specialty species VNFOREST, 2013. Definitions used in national forest cover assessments 13 11 The national forest reserve in Cambodia has not yet been officially demarcated and is therefore not included in this figure. 12 With the exception of Singapore, for which the 2010 FAO forest resources assessment data were used.

2.2 Status of forests