Comparability and consistency are key elements to providing timely and reliable forest information at different scales. In this context, countries need to establish and consolidate national forest monitoring systems. Guidance on how to collect, compile and analyze forest information is fundamental to this endeavor.
Establishing and running a National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) constitutes a complex scientific-technical exercise and an organizational and institutional challenge. The process has a direct link to policy as it informs management and decision-makers about the sustainable use of forest resources and the efficient protection and conservation of forest ecosystems. Accordingly, an NFMS supports governments in fulfilling their obligations to continually develop, monitor and report on “forest resources”, which may include trees outside forests as well as other land cover classes.
The aim of these Voluntary Guidelines is to assist with the creation and operation of NFMSs. The guidelines include good practice principles,
guidelines and a general framework. It also incorporates a set of decision-support tools for planning and implementing a multi-purpose NFMS grounded in nationally appropriate and scientifically sound practice, taking into consideration domestic information needs and reporting requirements.
This document is intended as a technical reference for governmental bodies in charge of forest monitoring, educational and research institutions, the public and private sectors, and members of civil society concerned with national forest monitoring (NFM). It is important to bear in mind that national circumstances vary in terms of biophysical conditions (e.g. forest types and forest utilization practices, road infrastructure), institutional frameworks, economic challenges and possibilities, management and use (the historical development of forest management and forest services, forest research and education, traditions in forest monitoring), among others. Accordingly, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach for NFM. Instead, various suitable and good technical and organizational options must be combined to achieve efficient implementation. The NFM approach must be target-driven, oriented towards specified objectives and realistically feasible within the available time, budget and human resources.
It is expected that these Voluntary Guidelines will enable member countries to set up and strengthen NFMSs, by addressing principles and key guidance elements required for a transparent, reliable and long-term process. The guidelines take into consideration existing guideline initiatives such as the IPCC’s Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry, which will in turn benefit from implementation of these Voluntary Guidelines on National Forest Monitoring as member countries consolidate their NFMS.