Decisions

Decision support at Different Institutional Levels

There are a number of different institutions at various levels that have a deep interest in working on forest-related issues. All these institutions use ICT to various extents to support their work and can contribute to, and benefit from, enhanced synergy on ICT aspects, including shared data and information service standards, data/knowledge/learning platforms, case studies, helpdesks, and communities of practice.

Global level (examples of global institutions working on forests)

Regional level (Transboundary Management Example)

National level (National Forestry Ministries and National Institutes e.g. Forest Survey of India)

State/Provincial level (e.g. Michigan , Andhra Pradesh)

Community level (e.g. Community Forestry Examples)

Academia (Forest Universities and Colleges)

Private Sector (need for an expanded role)

Types of Decisions to be Supported

There are a number of decisions that need to be supported where ICT could play a key role. Some of these are illustrated in the typology below:

Type of Decision Support	ICT Aspects
Improved understanding (e.g. state of forests, challenges, opportunities)	Spatial Perspective: Maps/e-Atlas/Online Mapping based on GIS/Remote Sensing Web Portals/Apps Learning Platforms
Managing Forest Fires	Detection and impact detection using earth observation (satellites, UAVs), in-situ sensors, reporting Communication & Response Monitoring Forest Fire Management Information System (tracking weather conditions, forest status, activity, preparedness, response) Outreach Materials (infographics, videos, radio, portals, Apps, e-learning)
Managing Forest Health	Forest Knowledge Management Information System (tracking indicators of forest health, forest-related activities including logging, climate, pest and disease outbreaks, land degradation, watershed status, forest ecosystem and livelihood services, benchmarking; access to relevant documents; spatial information/analysis)
Investment Support	Spatial Prioritization Clearinghouse portal for forest-related investments at various levels Tools to analyze forest impacts of other sector investments (e.g. for safeguards or forest-smart development)
Community Livelihood Support	Marketing and price portals/apps/e-services for sustainable forest produce (see the case of 10,000 Villages as an example) Community investment portals Forest resource mapping Community inventory/surveillance Communication systems Stakeholder feedback/governance report cards