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KEY PUBLICATIONS AND ONLINE RESOURCES

FORESTS, DESERTS, LAND

This page was updated on: 01/13/10

TIMBER AND TIMBER PRODUCTS: EU MARKET SURVEY 2005/2006
(Swiss Import Promotion Programme, August 2006)
This survey provides statistical market information about EU timber product consumption to potential exporting countries. It also focuses on certified timber products and covers the requirements of the EU market in terms of quality, packing and ecolabelling. The survey.

LEARNING LESSONS FROM CHINA'S FOREST REHABILITATION EFFORTS: NATIONAL LEVEL REVIEW AND SPECIAL FOCUS ON GUANGDONG PROVINCE
(CIFOR, 2006)
This report presents the main results of a study assessing past and ongoing rehabilitation efforts through a national-level review and more detailed analysis for one province, Guangdong. The report.

TUNZA
(UNEP, 2006)
The latest issue of UNEP's magazine for youth is devoted to the issue of forests. More information.

NAIROBI TALKS MAKE PROGRESS ON FOREST CONSERVATION FOR GLOBAL WARMING EMISSIONS CREDITS
(Mongabay.com, 4 December 2006)
This interview with carbon finance analyst Johannes Ebeling reflects on recent developments relating to emissions from deforestation. The interview.

GUIDANCE FOR PROMOTING SYNERGY AMONG ACTIVITIES ADDRESSING BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, DESERTIFICATION, LAND DEGRADATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(CBD, May 2006)
This CBD Technical Series report highlights the major biological factors that contribute to ecosystem resilience under the projected impacts of global climate change, assesses the potential consequences for biodiversity of particular adaptation activities under the CBD thematic areas, provides methodological considerations when implementing these activities, and highlights research and knowledge gaps. The report recognizes the potential of, and stresses the need for, synergy in the implementation of activities that interlink biodiversity conservation, mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, and land degradation and desertification in the context of the objectives of the three Rio Conventions and other relevant multilateral environmental agreements. The report.

CONFRONTING SUSTAINABILITY: FOREST CERTIFICATION IN DEVELOPING AND TRANSITIONING COUNTRIES
(Yale University, 2006)
This publication, which was edited by Benjamin Cashore, Fred Gale, Errol Meidinger and Deanna Newsom, offers a comparative, historical analysis of certification programmes in 16 countries and assesses their effectiveness. The report.

BRINGING DOWN THE AXE ON ILLEGAL LOGGING: A PRACTICAL APPROACH(Australian Government, 2006)
This policy document outlines Australia's policies for tackling the issue of illegal timber imported into Australia, including the decision to deal with illegal logging via voluntary partnerships with producer countries, rather than direct legislation. The document.

EXPLORING FAIR TRADE TIMBER
(IIED, 2006)
The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) has created a new project webpage to outline its work on the opportunities and challenges of implementing a fair trade timber scheme. It includes a summary of recent and ongoing activities by IIED as well as links to key meeting reports and research findings. The webpage.

FSC NEWS + NOTES NEWSLETTER
(FSC, 2006)
The latest issue of the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) "News + Notes" newsletter is now available. Highlighted in this issue are: the Nature Conservancy's use of the FSC tool in achieving their goals; approval of the new version of controlled wood standard; and a growing interest in chain of custody certification in Australia. The newsletter.

GUIDELINES FOR THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY IN TROPICAL TIMBER PRODUCTION FORESTS
(IUCN and ITTO, November 2006)
These guidelines set out how positive outcomes for biodiversity can be achieved in the management of tropical production forests. The guidelines.

ARBORVITAE – IUCN/WWF NEWSLETTER
(IUCN and WWF, September 2006)
The latest issue of the IUCN/WWF Conservation Newsletter, Arborvitae, includes articles on: debating positive and negative aspects of forest plantations; the soy moratorium in Brazil; and the lack of due diligence in pulp mill financing. The Newsletter.

NEW WEBSITE: UNCCD GLOBAL MECHANISM
(GM, 2006)
The Global Mechanism (GM) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has launched a new website. It focuses on the GM's financial strategies at the national and international level and seeks to explain how actors can work with the GM and develop new partnerships, among others. The website.

SAVING THE FORESTS
(World Bank, October 2006)
This podcast contains a World Bank report addressing how global carbon finance can be used as an incentive to stop deforestation. The podcast.

GUIDE TO PARTICIPATORY TOOLS FOR FOREST COMMUNITIES
(CIFOR, 2006) This Guide, which was authored by Kristen Evans, Wil de Jong, Peter Cronkleton, Douglas Sheil, Tim Lynam, Trikurnianti Kusumanto, and Carol J. Pierce Colfer, provides a brief overview of tools, concepts and guidance in the selection and use of participatory tools that people linked with the Center for International Forestry Research have adapted and developed for use with forest communities. It is intended for environment and development practitioners, researchers and local government officials. The Guide.

SCIDEV.NET DESERT SCIENCE RESOURCE
(SciDev.Net, October 2006) This online resource offers a collection of articles on deserts and drylands, including peer-reviewed policy briefs on issues such as human impact, access to water, conservation of biodiversity and the role of international conventions. The resource.

IUFRO STRATEGY 2006-2010
(IUFRO, September 2006) The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) has published its strategy for the period 2006-2010. It outlines IUFRO's goals in the coming years and how these goals will be achieved. The Strategy.

PARTNERS IN CRIME: A GREENPEACE INVESTIGATION INTO FINLAND'S ILLEGAL TIMBER TRADE WITH RUSSIA
(Greenpeace, September 2006) This report looks at evidence of illegally-logged timber from Russia it says is being freely imported into Finland to factories including those of Stora Enso, partly owned by the Finnish State. The report.

DEVELOPMENT FROM DIVERSITY: GUYANA'S FOREST-BASED ASSOCIATIONS SMALL AND MEDIUM FORESTRY ENTERPRISE
(IIED, 2006) This study looks at the many forest-based associations in Guyana that are attempting to use forest-based products and services, and are concerned about sustainability. More information.

UNFF NEWSLETTER JULY/AUGUST 2006
(UNFF, August 2006) The Secretariat of the UN Forum on Forests has released the latest edition of its newsletter, reporting on its recent activities. The newsletter.

FIELD GUIDE TO THE FUTURE: FOUR WAYS FOR COMMUNITIES TO THINK AHEAD
(CIFOR/CGIAR/ICRAF, September 2006) This guide seeks to provide a practical, step-by-step manual describing methods that can help communities think ahead and prepare for changes in their environment and natural resources. The authors have collaborated with various communities, particularly in tropical forest margins, and share their experiences and lessons learned about methods that can help communities prepare for the future. To request a copy, email Sandra Velarde s.velarde@cgiar.org.

LIFE AND EUROPEAN FORESTS

(European Commission, 2006) This publication explores how LIFE – the financial instrument for the environment, a programme launched by the European Commission – has contributed to the integration of nature conservation and the protection of biological diversity in forest management in Europe without impinging too much on economic and other social or cultural demands. The publication.

THE LATIN AMERICAN FORESTRY SECTOR OUTLOOK STUDY
(FAO, 2006) This report provides an outlook for the forestry sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, analyzing the driving forces both within and outside the sector to describe a future scenario based on decisions made today. More information.

TROPICAL FOREST UPDATE 2006 ISSUE 2
(ITTO, 2006) The latest issue of the International Tropical Timber Organization's quarterly newsletter is now available.

CIFOR ANNUAL REPORT 2005: RESEARCH THAT MATTERS
(CIFOR, 2006) The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) presents highlights of its research and work focusing on how forests can help to improve the livelihoods of the 240 million people who live in forested regions in developing countries. The report.

CO-CHAIRS' SUMMARY REPORT FROM THE FORESTS DIALOGUE
(TFD, 3 August 2006) The Co-Chair's summary report of the scoping meeting of The Forests Dialogue (TFD), which took place in South Africa from 19-21 June 2006, is now available online. At the meeting, TFD members identified areas of potential collaboration amongst diverse stakeholders to increase forestry's potential to alleviate poverty. The topics of discussion included the forest sector's role in poverty reduction, how timber, pulp and paper can reduce poverty, and how poor communities can contribute to sustainable forestry. Participants concluded that there are enough positive trends to warrant a major push to scale up pro-poor commercial forestry, and recommended a full-scale dialogue process as a means to generate practical action. The Co-Chairs' report.

SOILS ON THE GLOBAL AGENDA: DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL MECHANISMS FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT
(IUSS, 2006) This report provides an overview of international actions concerned with sustainable land management. It was prepared by IASUS (International Actions for the Sustainable Use of Soil), a working group of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), and is based on the presentations and discussions at a one-day Symposium held in the framework of the September 2004 Eurosoil Conference in Freiburg, Germany. The report.

GLOBAL FOREST DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION
(IUFRO, 2006) This 400 page volume replaces the former Forest Decimal Classification and Oxford System for Decimal Classification for Forestry. Order online.

WHERE ARE THE POOR AND WHERE ARE THE TREES? TARGETING OF POVERTY REDUCTION AND FOREST CONSERVATION IN VIETNAM
(CIFOR, 2006) This paper discusses how to balance plans for a further decline of remaining poverty with concurrent improvement of in forest conservation and management. The paper.

BEYOND TIMBER: CERTIFICATION OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS
(CIFOR and Forest Trends, June 2006) This book analyzes the ecological, socioeconomic and legal aspects of certifying non-timber forest products using case studies from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Electronic copy (in Portuguese only).

FAO WEBSITE ON FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT
(FAO, July 2006) Information on FAO activities in Forest Law Enforcement will now be available on a new FAO forestry website. FAO provides support to countries at the international and national level in order to strengthen their forest policy framework and build institutional capacity to foster better forest law compliance. The website.

AMERICA'S FREE TRADE FOR ILLEGAL TIMBER – HOW US TRADE PACTS SPEED THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS
(Environmental Inspection Agency, June 2006) This report documents what it states is a link between Free Trade Agreements and increased trade in illegal timber from Honduras and Singapore. The report.

PAYMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES- AN EQUITABLE APPROACH FOR REDUCING POVERTY AND CONSERVING NATURE
(WWF, June 2006) This publication presents an overview of current schemes for payments for environmental services, WWF's approach to achieving equitable payments, and field examples of equitable projects in Guatemala, Peru, the Philippines, Tanzania, Indonesia and Eastern Europe. The report.

TOURISM AND DESERTS – A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MANAGING THE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE DESERT RECREATION SECTOR
(UNEP, 2006) This UNEP publication was prepared in partnership with the Tour Operators Initiative for Sustainable Development. It is targeted at the tourism sector, and contains tips and information on desert tourism. The publication.

GENDER AND DESERTIFICATION: EXPANDING ROLES FOR WOMEN TO RESTORE DRYLANDS
(IFAD, 2006) The International Fund for Agricultural Development has released a new study highlighting the role of the world's rural women in restoring drylands, managing natural resources and dealing with desertification. According to the report, desertification affects women and men differently due to their "strictly gendered division of labor": through their daily work, rural women have acquired extensive knowledge on managing natural resources, which enable them to play a crucial role in combating desertification. The authors further note that women often do not have decision-making authority and are thus excluded from dryland development projects. The report.

GLOBAL DESERTS OUTLOOK

(UNEP, 2006) On 5 June 2006 – World Environment Day – UNEP launched Global Deserts Outlook, the first thematic report in UNEP's Global Environment Outlook (GEO) series of environmental assessments. The report traces the history and biology of the deserts and identifies policy options to help governments and relevant bodies deliver a more sustainable future to these regions. The report.

DESERT SCIENCE DOSSIER

(SciDev.Net, 2006) With the support of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, SciDev.Net has created a desert science dossier about drylands and desertification, in recognition of the theme for World Environment Day on 5 June 2006. The dossier contains links to news, features and opinion pieces, including summaries of the issues involved and key documents from online sources. The dossier.

DEMAND-SIDE OPTIONS: POLICIES AND MEASURES FOR REDUCING IMPORTS OF ILLEGAL TIMBER AND TIMBER PRODUCTS TO CONSUMER COUNTRIES

(Chatham House, May 2006) This report looks at the options available to governments of consumer countries to reduce their contribution to illegal logging. It considers EU member state procurement policies, border controls and licensing, legal mechanisms, working with industry on controlling supply chains, and using development assistance to improve governance in producer countries. The report.

STATUS OF TROPICAL FOREST MANAGEMENT 2005

(ITTO, 2006) This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the forest management situation in all 33 of ITTO's producer member countries. It addresses the policy and institutional settings in each country, the approaches taken to the allocation and management of resources, and the status of management of those resources. The report.

ANNUAL REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT OF THE WORLD TIMBER SITUATION

(ITTO, 2006) ITTO's Annual Review and Assessment of the World Timber Situation compiles statistics available on global production and trade of timber, with an emphasis on the tropics. It also provides information on trends in forest area, forest management and the economies of ITTO member countries. More information.

JUSTICE IN THE FOREST: RURAL LIVELIHOODS AND FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT

(CIFOR, 2006) Based on exploratory studies from six different countries (Bolivia, Cameroon, Canada, Honduras, Indonesia, and Nicaragua), this report explores the types of relevant issues that arise in different contexts related to how forest law enforcement affects rural livelihoods. The report.

RAISING FOREST REVENUES AND EMPLOYMENT: UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF SMALL AND MEDIUM FOREST ENTERPRISES IN GUYANA

(IIED, 2006) This is the latest in the Small and Medium Forestry Enterprise series published by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). The report explores the position of Guyana's forest sector in the global market place and the challenges it is currently facing. The report.

IUFRO 2005 ANNUAL REPORT

(IUFRO, 2006) The International Union of Forest Research Organizations has published its Annual Report for 2005, highlighting its key activities in 2005, including the XII IUFRO World Congress. The report.

FSC CONTROLLED WOOD STANDARDS

(FSC, April 2006) In September 2004, the Forest Stewardship Council endorsed a new set of standards aimed to allow FSC certification of timber from non-FSC sources that had been controlled to avoid illegal timber, wood harvested in violation of traditional or civil rights, wood from land being converted to plantation or non-forest, and wood from genetically-modified forests. FSC is soliciting input from forest management enterprises and companies on these two standards until 12 May 2006 (send comments to Richard Robertson richard@fsc-uk.org). Background paper (January 2006). Forest management standard. Company standard.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOREST GENETIC DIVERSITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN EUROPE

(IPGRI and IUFRO, April 2006) This report is a summary of proceedings of a workshop held in Paris, France, in March 2006. The workshop, one of the pan-European actions for implementation of Vienna Resolution 5 (climate change and sustainable forest management in Europe) of the Ministerial Conference for the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE), addressed: up-to-date reviews based on the current understanding on how forest trees will cope with and adapt to climate change; the implications for practicing sustainable forest management in Europe; and inputs and recommendations to the MCPFE process for further action. The report.

HUMAN PRESSURE ON THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON FORESTS

(WRI, 2006) This analysis compiles geospatial indicators of human activities that lead to forest degradation and conversion. The results provide insights for land-use planning and zoning. The report.

FAO FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION LISTSERVE

(FAO, 2006) FAO has created a discussion forum on Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) for participants to share experiences and resources, seek advice and test ideas with colleagues working on similar issues. The listserve is coordinated by the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration and IUCN - The World Conservation Union. To join, send an email to: flr-join@ indaba.iucn.org with your email address on the first line of the message (no spaces) and "Join FLR List serve" in the subject line.

LOGGING, LEGALITY AND LIVELIHOODS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA: SYNTHESIS OF OFFICIAL ASSSESMENTS OF THE LARGE-SCALE LOGGING INDUSTRY

(Forest Trends, 2006) This publication summarizes key findings of the Papua New Guinea government's five reports into administration and practice of the logging industry. The publication concludes that steps to establish legality, respect for human and property rights as well as people's participation in the development and monitoring of forest policy and practice, are necessary not only for the successful implementation of industrial logging, but for any and all forestry activities. The publication.

IMPLEMENTING THE UNCCD IN AFRICA: TEN AFRICAN EXPERIENCES

(UNCCD, 2006) This publication showcases experiences from various African sub-regions to illustrate the complexity of the problems that African countries face and the multi-faceted approaches that can be adopted to ensure sustainable development. The publication.

International Initiatives to Address Tropical Timber Logging and Trade

(Fridtjof Nansen Institute, April 2006) This report looks at international and regional initiatives to control illegal logging, focusing on the Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (FLEG) and Trade (FELGT) processes, and various forest certification schemes. The report.

CHINA AND THE GLOBAL MARKET FOR FOREST PRODUCTS: TRANSFORMING TRADE TO BENEFIT FORESTS AND LIVELIHOODS

(Forest Trends, March 2006) This paper is an overview of the key findings of many research studies conducted by Forest Trends, the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy (CCAP), the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and their various partners in China and the Asia-Pacific region. The paper.

GOVERNING LAND: REFLECTIONS FROM IFPRI RESEARCH

(IFPRI, March 2006) This publication, authored by Stephan Dohrn, summarizes findings of research by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) related to land management and governance to promote strategies and policies targeted toward the achievement of gender equity, poverty reduction, and sustainable resource management. The report.

INTACT FOREST LANDSCAPES

(Greenpeace, March 2006) This map of the world's forests is "based on the most up to date, high-resolution satellite imagery and a consistent set of criteria," with the objective of identifying remaining large forest areas, allowing comparison between these areas, and offering a starting point for monitoring forests. The map.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND SOIL NUTRIENT MINING IN AFRICA: IMPLICATIONS FOR RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT

(IFDC, 2006) This report assesses the status of food production associated with land degradation and estimates indicators of soil nutrient mining by country and region. It also reviews policy measures and investment strategies that can reverse trends in nutrient mining and increase land productivity, and evaluates trends in crop productivity and in land degradation caused by nutrient mining. The report.

RISKS AND CHANCES OF COMBINED FORESTRY AND BIOMASS PROJECTS UNDER THE CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM

(UNEP RISOE, March 2006) The Capacity Development for CDM (CD4CDM) Project at the UNEP RISOE Centre has launched a Working Paper Series, with the first paper focusing on the potential and constraints of "combining carbon sink and bio-energy use projects in the CDM." The paper, which was authored by Michael Dutschke, Gerald Kapp, Anna Lehmann and Volkmar Schafer, also provides an overview of the current state of biomass use in developing countries. It proposes a "close integration of the Afforestation/Reforestation and Biomass use methodology work under the CDM, with the possibility to bundle these two kinds of project activities." The paper.

COMBATING FOREST DEGRADATION – CERTIFICATION AS A DRIVING FORCE FOR AMELIORATION

(IGES, March 2006) This report from the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies focuses on challenges for small forest enterprises, and looks in particular at the Asia-Pacific context. The report was written by Henry Scheyvens. The report.

E-FORUM ON BEST PRACTICES AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

(UNCCD, 2006) This e-forum seeks to provide a space of debate and exchange of information on challenges, concrete experiences and lessons learned among stakeholders dealing with land degradation and traditional knowledge (TK) in Latin America and the Caribbean. The first e-forum sessions are scheduled for 20 March to 7 April 2006. More information.

WORKING EFFECTIVELY AT THE INTERFACE OF FOREST SCIENCE AND FOREST POLICY: GUIDANCE FOR SCIENTISTS AND RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS

(IUFRO, 2005) This publication by Richard W. Guldin, John A. Parrotta and Eeva Hellström offers guidelines to provide advice to researchers and research leaders on how to plan, conduct, and organize research activities so that results can more quickly and easily be transformed into usable information for problem-solving and policy-making. The publication.

LAND RIGHTS FOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT: FROM KNOWLEDGE TO ACTION

(IFPRI, 2006) This series of 12 briefs, edited by Ester Mwangi, is drawn from deliberations at a workshop held from 31 October to 3 November 2005, and hosted by the UNDP Drylands Development Center and the International Land Coalition. The workshop addressed key land tenure issues in Africa that influence food security, environmental sustainability, agricultural intensification, conflict, peace building and broader rural development. The briefs.

NONTIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS MANAGEMENT ON NATIONAL FORESTS IN THE UNITED STATES

(Pacific Northwest Research Station, 2005) This study by Rebecca McLain and Eric Jones provides an overview of nontimber forest products (NTFP) programs on national forests in the United States. The report.

MANAGING CONFLICT IN WATERSHEDS OF SRI LANKA

(ARD, Inc., 2005) ARD, Inc. prepared this report for USAID. It examines the effect of the 20-year civil war and increasing demands of a growing population on forest and water resources. The report.

OUTGROWING THE EARTH: THE FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGE IN AN AGE OF FALLING WATER TABLES AND RISING TEMPERATURES

(Earth Policy Institute, 2005) This text by Lester Brown examines linkages between population growth, agricultural productivity, soil fertility, water tables, climate change and security. The report.

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recently published documents and online resources,
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