Knowledge products and their management have become an essential part of a country’s forest strategy for sustainable development of its forest resources. Knowledge management is the systematic acquisition, synthesis and sharing of insight and experience, and their systematic integration with factual statistical information and analyses. (Source: The strategic framework for FAO: 2000-2015). Basically, there are two types of knowledge: explicit and implicit knowledge.
Explicit knowledge is stored in books, publications, documents, project reports, databases and in digital format available on the internet, which is increasing exponentially. Following are some examples of explicit knowledge which is publicly available for use:
is a global program which produces high quality global public goods in the forestry sector. The UK – DFID has allocated £38 million from 2012 to 2017. It provides policy makers and practitioners in developing countries and the international community with strategic knowledge, comparable evidence, reliable tools and systematic analysis on forests, trees and climate change. This program addresses an important gap in knowledge and evidence, as multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors scale up funding to tackle deforestation and restore degraded land within the framework of ambitious commitments to address climate change (UNFCCC) and support the post-2015 sustainable development goals (SDGs). KNOWFOR works through three main partners:
The current themes include the following:
KNOWFOR provides high quality original and synthesized knowledge products for a wide range of audiences in the forests and land use sectors, addresses the disjuncture between the supply and uptake of knowledge. KNOWFOR places strong emphasis on the enabling conditions and systems required to ensure that knowledge is useful, relevant, timely, and understood by its intended audience, and assess the extent to which the knowledge is used, has influence over decisions, and ultimately results in change.
Expected results: The expected results from this program include:
Links for further Information:
Partner websites:
IUCN
– Global Partnership for Forest Landscape Restoration
PROFOR
CIFOR
Deforestation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emission in developing countries. According to the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the World Nature Organization (WNO), land conversion and deforestation in developing countries emits around 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon annually – the fourth highest cause of global emissions.
In response to forests and climate change issues, the ASEAN Leaders at their 13th Summit held on November 2007 in Singapore signed the “ASEAN Declaration on Environmental Sustainability” which called, among others, to work closely with the international community to better understand and the adverse impacts of climate change, including the related issues of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sinks in particular. One of the major areas which were agreed was to promote the use of regional knowledge networks to broaden the ASEAN base of knowledge on forestry, and focus on the issue of forests and climate change. This led to the creation of ASEAN Regional Knowledge Network (ARKN) on Forests and Climate Change in October 2008. The ARKN on Forests and Climate Change is a venue for ASEAN Member States to share their knowledge and experiences and identify experts and research institutions specialized in the issues of forests and climate change such as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in Developing Countries and Afforestation/Reforestation Clean Development Mechanism (A/R CDM). The scientific basis gathered in the network is pertinent to support ASEAN’s decision-making process through policy analysis and strengthen ASEAN’s role in climate change negotiations. The ARKN on Forests and Climate Change works by firstly identifying research agendas, conducting knowledge sharing exercises, and implementing the researches and capacity building for the stakeholders in ASEAN. The ARKN on Forests and Climate Change is also open for cooperation with the Network’s Partners, such as international research institutions or donor countries’ initiatives to further develop their activities.
The African Forest Forum is an association of individuals with a commitment to the sustainable management, wise use and conservation of Africa’s forest and tree resources for the socio-economic well-being of its peoples and for the stability and improvement of its environment. It works through its members and the Secretariat. Networking through electronic media which is the main mechanism for exchanging information, ideas and views. http://www.afforum.org
The purpose of the AFF is to provide a platform for information sharing and expertise and create an enabling environment for independent and objective analysis, advocacy and advice on relevant policy and technical issues pertaining to achieving sustainable management, use and conservation of Africa’s forest and tree resources as part of efforts to reduce poverty, promote economic and social development and protect the environment.
The forum provides independent analysis and advice to national, regional and international institutions and actors, on how economic; food security and environmental issues can be addressed through the sustainable management of forests and trees. Its vison is to become the leading forum that links and unites stakeholders in African forestry within and outside the continent and its mission is to contribute to the improvement of the livelihoods of the people of Africa and the environment they live in through the sustainable management and use of tree and forest resources on the African continent.
The four key strategic objectives of the AFF in the short and medium term (5-15 years) are as follows:
Following are links to forest resources databases, forest journals on open access, climate change databases, and other forest related information sources:
Brief description of the document: This manual has been prepared in response to the growing demand for reliable information on forest and tree resources at both country and global levels, FAO initiated this to provide support to national forest monitoring and assessment (NFMA). The support to NFMA includes developing a harmonized approach to national forest monitoring and assessments, information management, reporting and support to policy impact analysis for national level decision-making. The objectives of this NFMA initiative are:
Contact person for more details are: Anne Branthomme, Forestry Officer and author of this report, Anne.Branthomme@fao.org or use the e-mail address: FAO-NFMA@fao.org Document produced in collaboration with Dan Altrell, Dan.Altrell@fao.org, Kewin Kamerlaczyk and Mohamed Saket, Forestry Officer, Mohamed.Saket@fao.org,
Source: The document can be accessed at:
www.fao.org/forestry/site/nfma
Bibliographic citation:
FAO. 2008. National Forest Monitoring and Assessment – Manual for integrated field data collection. Working
Paper NFMA 37/E. Rome, Italy.
Brief Description: This is the definitive guide to the Forest Inventory and Analysis database (FIADB) in the US. This guide is intended to help current and potential users understand the necessary details of the FIADB. This database provides a consistent framework for storing forest inventory data across all ownerships for the entire United States. These data are available to the public.
This guide consists of ten chapters:
Source: The user’s guide can be accessed from:
http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/current/ver60/FIADB%20User%20Guide%20P2_6-0-2_final-opt.pdf
Brief description of this document: This document describes the standards, codes, methods, and definitions for Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) field data items. It provides the Core field procedures which are consistent and uniform across all FIA units. This Core is the framework for regional FIA programs; individual programs may add variables, but may not change the CORE requirements. The items in this field guide are considered CORE, that is, the information will be collected by all FIA units as specified. Items or codes specified as CORE OPTIONAL are not required by individual units; however, if the item is collected or coded, it will be done as specified in this field guide. It is expected that on average all items in this guide (Volume I of the FIA field methods guide) can be measured by a two-person field crew in less than one day, including travel time to and from the plot.
Source: This document can be accessed from:
http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ogden/data-collection/pdf/P2%20Manual_70_Feb2sm.pdf
Brief description: This sourcebook is designed
What the sourcebook is not?
The sourcebook is not designed as a primer on field measurement techniques, although guidance is given.
Source: This can be accessed from: http//www.Winrock.org
First Draft: Kevin McFarland Second Draft: Tree Solutions Inc., Ann Hirschi & Eliza Davidson Revised – 2010 by Community Forestry Commission
Brief Description of the document: Sustaining trees in Bainbridge Island’s already-developed areas presents a great challenge, and entails careful planning and vigilant maintenance. Also, after more than a century of settlement, the vestiges of native island forest are increasingly rare and vulnerable. To meet these formidable challenges, the City and local citizen leaders serving on the Community Forestry Commission have developed a Community Forest Management Plan. This plan has built the foundation for this Community Forest Best Management Practices Manual (BMP). The BMP Manual provides a toolbox of standards needed in order to reach CFMP goals for tree preservation, management and replenishment for future generations.
This document puts together the best available science and most widely accepted practical and professional techniques now in use in urban forestry. This BMP Manual will be updated periodically.
Source: The manual can be accessed from: http://www.fs.fed.us/
Brief Description: In March 2001, the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO) requested FAO to assist countries in incorporating linkages between sustainable forest management and other sectors, including agriculture. COFO also requested FAO to develop effective national policy frameworks and national forestry program and promote information exchange between forestry and related sectors. As a result of this demand from FAO member countries, the Forestry Policy and Institutions Service of the Forestry Department initiated in 2001 a series of studies on available information and research needs. This included a review of the use of the integrated system of environmental and economic accounting (SEEA) to monitor and measure cross-sectoral policy impacts. The purpose of the current manual on Environmental and Economic Accounts for Forestry (EEAF) are:
The target audience includes policy analysts and decision-makers in government ministries at national and local levels, universities and research organizations, NGOs and other citizen groups. The manual is meant to be user-friendly and therefore strike a balance between the technical aspects of forest accounting and a clear explanation of how forest accounts can be used by each
Source: The manual can be accessed from www.fao.org
Brief Description: This report reviews and illustrates the new concepts and methods to evaluate the environmental benefits and distributional consequences of alternative forest land use options, with a focus on non-timber benefits in developing countries. The report provides:
It is not a “cook book” for valuing nonmarket benefits, however, as such methods are described in a number of existing publications.
The report concentrates on the application of cost-benefit analysis (CBA), which is widely used in the appraisal of development projects, to forest land use decisions in the developing world. Other appraisal methods are also briefly reviewed, including methods designed to assist decision-making where the information available does not permit a full CBA, as well as methods designed to compensate for perceived weaknesses of CBA. While the focus throughout is on the use of forests in developing countries, many of the issues and methods discussed here are equally relevant in other contexts. The economics of timber production receives no particular attention, although logging is included as one of many possible uses of forest land. The report is thus intended as a supplement to existing manuals on the economic analysis of development projects, the economics of forest management for timber and the valuation of environmental impacts.
Source: The document can be accessed at: http://www.elaw.org/system/files/Valuing.Forests.Developing.Countries_0.pdf
Brief Description: Initiatives for reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation and enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+) are advancing across the developing world at project, sub-national, and national scales. REDD+ has the potential to significantly affect the livelihoods of those who depend on forests for their subsistence and income needs – presenting both risks and opportunities for these communities. REDD+ stakeholders at multiple scales of governance have demonstrated strong interest in making concerted efforts to minimize risks and maximize benefits for these communities. To do this, REDD+ programs:
This document provides information about specific tools, methods, and methodologies that can be used to:
It is designed to be useful for those commissioning or undertaking such social assessments or evaluations. Various options are provided to suit a range of resources (i.e., time, funds, capacity), preferences (i.e., discipline, scientific rigor), and situations (i.e., those in the program design phase as well as those in the program implementation phase). Both qualitative and quantitative methods are covered in this manual – and the advantages of using both method types are highlighted.
Contact for more information: Scott Hajost, FCMC Chief of Party, Email: scott.hajost@fcmcglobal.org and Tetra Tech 159 Bank Street, Suite 300 , Burlington, Vermont 05401 USA, Tel: (802) 658-3890 , www.tetratechintdev.com
Source: the document can be accessed from: www.usaid.govBrief Description: Certification of the management of forests – or in short – “forest certification is a way to verify whether or not forests are well managed based on a combination of economic, social and environmental indicators. Certification is a market-based mechanism which provides a link between production and consumption of forest products. This handbook is based on TFT’s seven years of experience working with smallholders to set up group certification systems in remote and diverse settings. The advice and suggestions mentioned throughout the handbook are based on TFT staff experience in Southeast Asia and is in not meant to be prescriptive. It is designed to provide:
The authors believe that the best approach is to be adaptive and customize the solutions to the unique challenges that each group and location presents and the programs should be based on collaboration and active participation of local communities, businesses and government agencies for obtaining sustainable impact and improve the livelihoods of forest communities.
Source: The handbook can be accessed from: http://www.tft-earth.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/TFT_Community_Forest_Handbook1.pdf
Brief Description: This manual has been prepared for those involved in the economic evaluation of tropical forest land use options. It was developed initially to serve as an aid to Cambodian researchers in the execution of an EEPSEA-financed study of non-timber forest values in Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia.
The objective of this manual is to provide non-specialists with a basic theoretical background to economic valuation of the environment and with a practical methodology for an economic evaluation of alternative tropical forest land uses.
The manual is organized as follows:
This manual can be accessed from https://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/bitstream/10625/13190/1/108380.pdf
Following table is a summary of the tools developed by PROFOR:
| Tool | Focus of Tool/Toolkit | Audience | Where Applied | Use of IT Tools | Evaluation/Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Toolkit of Forest Control and Supervision: Practical Field Guidance (2015) | Provides low-cost, hands-on tools for monitoring forest management outcomes (related to better governance). The Toolkit’s has two components: (i) A user’s field manual for verifying the legal origin of timber, with a focus on inspections in forests, sawmills and lumber yards, and (ii) Guidance for setting up logging contracts between the forest industry and indigenous peoples’ (IPs) communities. | Government officers of forest agencies, seeking to implement timber legality verification systems. | Latin America and Caribbean countries | Mobile phones, IPAD, GIS, computers, cloud | To be done |
| The Political Economy of Decision-making in Forestry: Using Evidence and Analysis for Reform (2015) | (i) Assesses eight approaches to Political Economy Analysis (PEA) and provides guidance on how to pick the most suitable one in a specific context. (ii) Provides detailed guidance on applying NetMap, a social networking tool, to understand stakeholder motivations. | Forest sector stakeholders--government, civil society, development partners, etc. | Tanzania (Forestry); Malawi (Health); Forestry Practitioners workshop at the Bank (Russia, Philippines, Congo DRC). | Mobile Phones, IPAD, GIS, Netmap, computers, cloud | To be done |
| Making Benefit Sharing Arrangements Work for Forest-Dependent Communities (2012) | Provides three studies to inform the design of benefit sharing arrangements in REDD+ initiatives: (i) practical guidance on how to identify and work with beneficiaries when rights are unclear, (ii) clarifies how mechanisms that transfer benefits are structured and helps identify which mechanism type may be most suited for a country’s context via an Options Assessment Framework (OAF) tool and (iii) how to set up agreements among parties and determine benefits. | Those in charge of REDD+ country program development (FCPF countries) and others working on benefit sharing arrangements from forest activities. | OAF applied in Mexico for its REDD+ early actions areas. | Mobile phones, computers, Cloud | To be done |
| (a)Assessing Forest Governance: A Practical Guide to Data Collection, Analysis and Use (2014). (b)Assessing and Monitoring Forest Governance: A Users Guide to a Diagnostic Tool (2012). | Consists of a set of indicators and a protocol for scoring the indicators. The indicators are in the form of multiple-choice questions about aspects of forest governance. Taken as a whole, the tool examines forest sector governance broadly, serving as a self-assessment to identify areas deserving improvement. | Government agencies, NGOs and forest users. | Uganda, Burkina Faso, Russia, Kenya, Madagascar, Congo DRC, Liberia, Laos. | Mobile phones, computers, Cloud | To be done |
| Community Forestry Enterprise Competitiveness and Access to Markets in Mexico (2013) | Contains:(i) Guidelines for financial and economic evaluations for community forestry (Spanish and English versions).(ii)Training material for financial and economic evaluations for community forestry (Spanish).(iii) Non-market valuation of forest goods and services: Training presentation (Spanish).(iv) Toolkit for data capture for community forestry for financial and economic evaluations including data capture guidelines (Spanish), data processing spreadsheet (Spanish), and, data capture survey (short and longer version in Spanish) | Mexico | GIS, IPAD, computers, | To be done | |
| Forest Sector Public Expenditure Reviews: Review and Guidance Note. ( 2011) | Public expenditure reviews in the forests sector of global best practice examples from other sectors. Identifies issues to be considered during the preparation phase of a forests sector PER, and drawing up the Terms of Reference (an example ToR is provided), the analysis that should be contained within the report, and a proposed structure for the report. | Forest sector specialists in public finance and government policymakers. | Analytical tools | To be done | |
| Poverty-Forests Linkages Toolkit (2008) | Design of knowledge management and collaboration, analysis of forest-poverty relationships, through relevant data collection and analysis. | Forest sector specialists, NGOs and staff of bilateral and MDBs, working on forests. | Indonesia, Papua New Guinea Cameroon, Ghana, Madagascar and Uganda. Inputs: Guinea, India, Indonesia Papua, Lao PDR, Nepal, and Tanzania. | Mobile phones, computers, web based applications | To be done |
| Impact of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) in Protected Areas (2013) | Provides how to: 1. Rapidly assess and map environmental, social and economic impacts of Artisanal and Small-scale Mining, with a particular focus on protected areas, critical ecosystems and vulnerable groups. 2. Identify potential solutions and alternative approaches through assessment of past efforts (both successes and failures) to address the identified short- and long-term environmental impacts. 3. Identify and develop measures that can produce concrete improvements in critical ecosystems through sustainable solutions that reduce the environmental and social damage caused by ASM, while building on its economic, social, and empowerment potential. | Liberia, Gabon, Madagascar | Mobile phones, computers, web based applications | To be done | |
| Tools for Civil society Action to Reduce Forest Corruption: Drawing Lessons from Transparency International (2006) | Provides tools of how civil society organizations might apply TI’s corruption-fighting project examples to the forest sector. It details more than two dozen tools that groups might apply, including educating journalists, setting up a concession website, developing a knowledge center, and creating anti-forest-corruption advertisements. | Civil society groups | Mobile phones, computers, web based applications, radio, television, social media | To be done |
Additional details on the above can be found at: www.profor.info
Brief Description: The Toolkit is based on a review of the large number and variety of tools available to prevent and combat wildlife and forest offences. Each part of the Toolkit provides a practical and detailed guide on the key issues to be examined, with reference to the relevant international conventions, standards and norms, as well as the relevant guidelines and documents. Effort has been made to make each section comprehensive in order to provide the users with a checklist to analyze in detail the root causes of crime, preventive mechanisms and responses of the criminal justice system.
The Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit provides:
This Toolkit is organized into five parts:
The Toolkit can be used by relevant officials in wildlife protection to address:
The toolkit can be accessed from the following web-site: https://www.unodc.org/documents/Wildlife/Toolkit_e.pdf
is the insight, experience and judgement stored in the human brain which is made available through specialized networks of professionals with relevant education, experience and skills. This is being made available through specialized organizations, societies and networks of specialized professionals in various disciplines relevant to the forest sector, who capture this knowledge and make it available for the use of those interested in sustainable forest development. Following are some examples of sources of tacit knowledge: