Collaborative Networks for Trustworthy Forest Data: The Role of Forest Inventory Networks in the FAO-FRA Capacity Development Programme

T5.13 Forest without borders: National Forest Inventory Networks and their potential for large scale monitoring and reporting
Anssi Pekkarinen1 , David Morales-Hidalgo1
1 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy.

Abstract
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has monitored global forests through its Global Forest Resources Assessments (FRA) since 1948. These assessments serve as an invaluable source of information regarding forest resources, their management, and use, and serve policy formulation and decision-making processes at various levels.

Over time, the FRA has undergone a transformation from an FAO-led exercise to a country-driven process where the officially nominated FRA National Correspondents are directly involved in the data collection, analysis, processing, documenting, and reporting of their data and metadata to FAO. Complemented by enhanced technical methodologies, including digital reporting and review, remote sensing, and provision of tools for statistical time-series modeling, this approach has increased global capacity to measure and monitor forests and more accurate and transparent reporting.

In addition to countries' active participation in the FRA process, networking among the FRA National Correspondents and their collaborators is key for successful FRAs and continuous improvement of quality and consistency of the data reported to FAO. Regional forest inventory networks (FINs) are major contributors to these efforts, as already demonstrated by the excellent results achieved at the European level (ENFIN [1]), and in North and South America (NAFC[2] and red IFN-LAC[3]).

These networks facilitate enhanced collaboration and knowledge sharing among countries, supplementing the existing FRA capacity-building program by promoting the adoption of best practices in forest inventory and assessment. By serving as conduits for exchanging knowledge and experiences, they can boost technical capabilities and harmonize forest data across regions, fostering a comprehensive understanding of global forest resources.

The forest inventory networks can assume multiple roles within the FRA capacity-building program. They can offer platforms for countries to exchange experiences and advocate for proven methodologies and innovative approaches in forest assessment. Furthermore, FINs can support standardizing assessment methodologies and indicators, facilitating meaningful comparisons between countries.

This paper will elaborate on the potential synergies between the FRA capacity-building program and the NFI-Networks.

[1] European Network of National Forest Inventories http:/ /enfin.info/

[2] North American Forestry Commission https://www.fs.fed.us/global/nafc/inventory/aboutus.htm

[3] Network of National Forest Inventories of Latin America and the Caribbean

1. 26 th IUFRO World Congress Welcome to the Stockholm, Sweden, 23–29 June 2024

2. Collaborative networks for trustworthy forest data: The role of forest inventory networks in the Global Forest Resources Assessment capacity development programme Anssi Pekkarinen David Morales-Hidalgo Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Senior Forestry Officer, FAO

3. FAO Global Forest Resources Assessments Since 1948, FAO has conducted Global Forest Resources Assessments ( FRA ) through a country-driven process with officially nominated National Correspondents . This forestry information network has a positive trajectory and extensive experience . They are directly involved in collecting, analysing, processing, documenting and reporting data.

4. The key to successful assessments Countries' active participation in the network is key to the continuous improvement of data quality and consistency . Excellent results have been achieved by major contributors to regional forest inventory networks : European Network of National Forest Inventories; North American Forestry Commission; and Network of National Forest Inventories of Latin America and the Caribbean.

5. Benefits of forest inventory networks Forest inventory networks foster a comprehensive understanding of global forest resources by: enhancing collaborations and knowledge exchanges among countries; promoting the adoption of best practices ; boosting technical capabilities ; and harmonizing forest data across regions.

6. Forest inventory networks ( FINs ) improve and complement the FRA capacity development programme by: 1. offering platforms for countries to share experiences, proven methodologies and innovative approaches; 2. helping to standardize methodologies and indicators for meaningful comparisons between countries; and 3. supporting the creation and maintenance of FINs. FRA capacity development programme

7. The role of forest inventory networks in the FRA capacity development programme Thank you for your attention. For more information on Global Forest Resources Assessments (FRAs), visit our website : www.fao.org/forest-resources-assessment/past-assessments Anssi Pekkarinen and David Morales-Hidalgo