Biodiversity

Community Monitoring of Natural Resource Systems and the Environment

Community monitoring can track environmental phenomena, resource use, and natural resource management processes of concern to community members. It can also contribute to planning and decision-making and empower community members in resource management. While community monitoring that addresses the environmental crisis is growing, it also gathers data on other global challenges: climate change, social welfare, and health. Some environmental community monitoring programs are challenged by limited collective action and community participation, insufficient state responsiveness to data and proposals, and lack of sustainability over time. Additionally, community members monitoring the environment are increasingly harassed and sometimes killed. Community monitoring is more effective with improved data collection, improved data management and sharing, andstronger efforts to meet community information needs, enable conflict resolution, and strengthen self-determination. Other promising areas for development are further incorporating governance issues, embracing integrated approaches at the community level, and establishing stronger links to national and global frameworks.

The Concept, Practice, Application, and Results of Locally Based Monitoring of the Environment

Locally based monitoring is typically undertaken in areas in which communities have a close attachment to their natural resource base. We present a summary of work to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of locally based monitoring and we outline tests of this approach in research and practice over the past 20 years. Our tests show that locally based monitoring delivers credible data at local scale independent of external experts and can be used to inform local and national decision making within a short timeframe. We believe that monitoring conducted by and anchored in communities will gain in importance where scientist-led monitoring is sparse or too expensive to sustain and for ecosystem attributes in cases in which remote sensing cannot provide credible data. The spread of smartphone technology and online portals will further enhance the importance and usefulness of this discipline.

Creating Synergies between Citizen Science and Indigenous and Local Knowledge

Citizen science (CS) is receiving increasing attention as a conduit for Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) in ecosystem stewardship and conservation. Drawing on field experience and scientific literature, we explore the connection between CS and ILK and demonstrate approaches for how CS can generate useful knowledge while at the same time strengthening ILK systems. CS invites laypersons to contribute observations, perspectives, and interpretations feeding into scientific knowledge systems. In contrast, ILK can be understood as knowledge systems in its own right, with practices and institutions to craft legitimate and useful knowledge. Such fundamental differences in how knowledge is generated, interpreted, and applied need to be acknowledged and understood for successful outcomes. Engaging with complementary knowledge systems using a multiple evidence base approach can improve the legitimacy of CS initiatives, strengthen collaborations through ethical and reciprocal relationships with ILK holders, and contribute to better stewardship of ecosystems.

Connecting Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches in Environmental Observing

Effective responses to rapid environmental change rely on observations to inform planning and decision-making. Reviewing literature from 124 programs across the globe and analyzing survey data for 30 Arctic community-based monitoring programs, we compare top-down, large-scale program driven approaches with bottom-up approaches initiated and steered at the community level. Connecting these two approaches and linking to Indigenous and local knowledge yields benefits including improved information products and enhanced observing program efficiency and sustainability. We identify core principles central to such improved links: matching observing program aims, scales, and ability to act on information; matching observing program and community priorities; fostering compatibility in observing methodology and data management; respect of Indigenous intellectual property rights and the implementation of free, prior, and informed consent; creating sufficient organizational support structures; and ensuring sustained community members’ commitment. Interventions to overcome challenges in adhering to these principles are discussed.

The Use of Digital Platforms for Community-Based Monitoring

Environmental observing programs that are based on Indigenous and local knowledge increasingly use digital technologies. Digital platforms may improve data management in community-based monitoring (CBM) programs, but little is known about how their use translates into tangible results. Drawing on published literature and a survey of 18 platforms, we examine why and how digital platforms are used in CBM programs and illuminate potential challenges and opportunities. Digital platforms make it easy to collect, archive, and share CBM data, facilitate data use, and support understanding larger-scale environmental patterns through interlinking with other platforms. Digital platforms, however, also introduce new challenges, with implications for the sustainability of CBM programs and communities’ abilities to maintain control of their own data. We expect that increased data access and strengthened technical capacity will create further demand within many communities for ethically developed platforms that aid in both local and larger-scale decision-making.

Community-Based Monitoring of Tropical Forest Crimes and Forest Resources Using Information and Communication Technology – Experiences from Prey Lang, Cambodia

The use of smartphones for data collection has opened up new opportunities for communities wishing to engage in community-based monitoring. While information and communication technology (ICT) is able to systematize data collection, complex functions and observation types can present challenges for community members. ICT also may skew community participation towards young men, as they are sometimes more comfortable using smartphones. This study investigates the success and cost-effectiveness of having local forest monitors use ICT to collect data on forest crimes and forest resources in Prey Lang, Cambodia. A workshop was held with the Prey Lang Community Network to identify the resources and illegal activities to be monitored. Guided by the community members, a smartphone app was subsequently developed and a total of 36 community members were trained in its use. We examined the extent to which the capacity of community members to collect data was dependent upon the complexity of the ICT and on their age and gender. We also assessed the costs of the monitoring program over a two-year period. The community members were able to collect large amounts of data regardless of their gender or age. They made 10,842 entries of data on illegal logging and forest resources. Increased complexity of the app had no impact on the proportion of quality data collected. The cost of monitoring resembled other community-based monitoring programs but was notably less than for monitoring by professional foresters. Our findings suggest that local communities with little formal education are able to monitor forest crimes and forest resources cost-effectively using ICT; however, while the documentation collected was highly valuable, software and hardware maintenance, along with the digital data validation process, will continue to require external support.

Citizen science tools for engaging local stakeholders and promoting local and traditional knowledge in landscape stewardship

Citizen science has been proposed as one way of engaging local stakeholders in landscape stewardship (Plieninger and Bieling 2012). Citizen science encompasses a broad array of approaches in which citizens are involved in one or more aspects of assessment and monitoring of the environment (Bonney et al. 2014). In Europe, most citizen science schemes only involve community members in data collection. The design, analysis and interpretation of the assessment results are undertaken by professional researchers. Recently, experiments have been made to involve community members in all aspects of environmental assessment and monitoring, including scheme design, data interpretation and use of the results for decision-making and action (Johnson et al. 2016). Although there are still a number of scientific questions surrounding these approaches and many schemes are still at an early stage of development, the new approaches show a great deal of promise. A topic corresponding with citizen science is the promotion of traditional and indigenous knowledge associated with land use and landscapes (Berkes 2012). We recognise the differences between local and traditional knowledge, indigenous knowledge and knowledge generally held by citizens. Local and traditional knowledge is held by communities with longterm affiliations to specific landscapes. Indigenous knowledge also has long-term affiliations with landscape but has furthermore a specific legal status being protected under international agreements (Convention on Biological Diversity, Article 8j). This chapter analyses the challenges and successes of three schemes that stand out from the majority, because they involve natural resource users directly in monitoring attributes central to their livelihoods (Greenland and Finland) or because of the role of digital technology in facilitating the citizen science activities (Faroe Islands). We begin by describing and explaining the activities and outcomes for each of the three schemes, before presenting our own cross-cutting analysis of the benefits and challenges of such approaches for engaging local stakeholders in landscape stewardship.

Can Community Members Identify Tropical Tree Species for REDD+ Carbon and Biodiversity Measurements?

Biodiversity conservation is a required co-benefit of REDD+. Biodiversity monitoring is therefore needed, yet in most areas it will be constrained by limitations in the available human professional and financial resources. REDD+ programs that use forest plots for biomass monitoring may be able to take advantage of the same data for detecting changes in the tree diversity, using the richness and abundance of canopy trees as a proxy for biodiversity. If local community members are already assessing the above-ground biomass in a representative network of forest vegetation plots, it may require minimal further effort to collect data on the diversity of trees. We compare community members and trained scientists’ data on tree diversity in permanent vegetation plots in montane forest in Yunnan, China. We show that local community members here can collect tree diversity data of comparable quality to trained botanists, at one third the cost. Without access to herbaria, identification guides or the Internet, community members could provide the ethno-taxonomical names for 95% of 1071 trees in 60 vegetation plots. Moreover, we show that the community-led survey spent 89% of the expenses at village level as opposed to 23% of funds in the monitoring by botanists. In participatory REDD+ programs in areas where community members demonstrate great knowledge of forest trees, community-based collection of tree diversity data can be a cost-effective approach for obtaining tree diversity information.

A Multicountry Assessment of Tropical Resource Monitoring by Local Communities

The rapid global growth of conservation schemes designed to incentivize local communities to conserve natural resources has placed new importance on biological monitoring to assess whether agreements and targets linked to payments are being met. To evaluate competence in natural resource monitoring, we compared data on status and trends collected independently by local-community members and trained scientists for 63 taxa and five types of resource use in 34 tropical forest sites across four countries over 2.5 years. We hypothesized that the results would vary according to differences in the education and value systems of the monitors. We found that, despite considerable differences in countries, cultures, and the types of natural resources monitored, the community members and the scientists produced similar results for the status of and trends in species and natural resources. Our findings highlight the potential value of locally based natural resource monitoring for conservation decisionmaking across developing countries.

Linking Public Participation in Scientific Research to the Indicators and Needs of International Environmental Agreements

Different monitoring approaches collect data that can measure progress toward achieving global environmental indicators. These indicators can: (1) Audit management actions; (2) Inform policy choices; and (3) Raise awareness among the public and policy makers. We present a generic, empirically based, framework of different environmental monitoring approaches, ranging from scientist-driven to those undertaken by local people. This framework is used to assess monitoring possibilities for the Convention on Biological Diversity “2020” indicators, and those of 11 other international environmental agreements. Of the 186 indicators in these 12 environmental agreements, 69 (37%) require monitoring by professional scientists, whereas 117 (63%) can involve community members as “citizen scientists.” Promoting “community-based” and “citizen science” approaches could significantly enrich monitoring progress within global environmental conventions. It would also link environmental monitoring to awareness raising and enhanced decision-making at all levels of resource management.

Testing Focus Groups as a Tool for Connecting Indigenous and Local Knowledge on Abundance of Natural resources with Science-Based Land Management Systems

One of the clearly stated intentions of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is to bring both “western scientific” and “indigenous and local” knowledge systems within synthetic global, regional, and thematic assessments. A major challenge will be how to use, and quality-assure, information derived from different knowledge systems. We test how indigenous and local knowledge on natural resources in Miskito and Mayangna communities in Nicaragua, validated through focus groups with community members, compares with information collected on line transects by trained scientists. Both provide comparable data on natural resource abundance, but focus groups are eight times cheaper. Such approaches could increase the amount and geographical scope of information available for assessments at all levels, while simultaneously empowering indigenous and local communities who generally have limited engagement in such processes.

Reshaping conservation: the social dynamics of participatory monitoring in Tanzania’s community-managed forests

Drawing on a study of community-managed forest reserves in southern Tanzania, this article discusses how community members engage and shape inclusive protected area management practices to produce outcomes that were not intended by external implementers. The article shows how a participatory natural resource monitoring scheme operating in the area becomes part of the villagers’ collective and individual efforts to assert their claims to territory and resources vis-a-vis the state, other communities, and other community members. By altering the monitoring procedures in subtle ways, community members strengthen the monitoring practices to their advantage, and to some extent move them beyond the reach of government agencies and conservation and development practitioners. This has led to outcomes that are of greater social and strategic value to communities than the original ‘planned’ benefi ts, although the monitoring scheme has also to some extent become dominated by local ‘conservation elites’ who negotiate the terrain between the state and other community members. Our findings suggest that we need to move beyond simplistic assumptions of community strategies and incentives in participatory conservation and allow for more adaptive and politically explicit governance spaces in protected area management.

How much do large-scale and small-scale farming contribute to global deforestation?

The study presented in this document expands on the work conducted during the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2020 Remote Sensing Survey (RSS) and revisits the extensive dataset of areas where deforestation occurred over periods 2000–2010 and 2010–2018 to subclassify and assess deforestation drivers. Notably, considering the importance it would have in designing appropriate strategies for halting deforestation, the study assesses the share of agriculture-driven deforestation linked to small-scale and large-scale farming, both for cropping and livestock systems. The goal was not only to further characterize the global deforestation drivers in 2000–2018 but also to identify methods and tools that can help in exploring the deforestation drivers using Earth Observation – by adding more options to the original FRA RSS query and by trying to define subjective characteristics of the activities.

The world’s mangroves 2000–2020

This report provides global and regional estimates of the area covered by mangrove forests, including area changes between 2000 and 2020. It analyses the drivers of these global, regional and subregional changes for the periods 2000–2010 and 2010–2020 with the aim of improving understanding of these drivers, their interactions and how their relative importance has shifted over time. In the study that underpins this report, FAO developed and validated an easy, repeatable methodology that integrates remote sensing with local knowledge. An FAO team and 48 image interpreters worldwide collected and analysed data on mangrove area in 2020, change in mangrove area between 2000 and 2020, and the drivers of change over the two decades. It is the first global study of mangrove area to provide information on land use rather than land cover.

Unlocking the secrets of mangroves

Where land and sea meet, a unique ecosystem is found: mangrove forests. Whether offering protection from climate change, supporting livelihoods, biodiversity and more, mangroves benefit us all. In the first study of its kind, FAO, with experts around the world, uncovered a wealth of information on the extent of mangrove forests globally, as well a glimpse into what causes mangrove losses and gains. Find out more about this precious ecosystem and see how mangroves affect our daily lives.

CBD Technical Series no.93: Voluntary guidelines for the design and effective implementation of ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and supplementary information

The report provides information on principles, safeguards, tools, and a flexible framework for planning and implementing ecosystem-based approaches, to support countries in integrating ecosystem-based approaches into their national biodiversity strategies and action plans, but also into other sectoral policies.

Guía operativa US1. Programa de manejo y ordenación forestal

El Programa de Manejo y Ordenación Forestal, es una de las medidas de acción directas que conforman la actividad “Modelo de gestión sustentable de los recursos vegetacionales” de la ENCCRV, y cuyo fin es influir principalmente sobre la actividad productiva insustentable, que se identificó como una de las más importantes causales de degradación y no aumentos de sumideros de carbono que afectan a las formaciones vegetacionales nativas del país.

Guía operativa US.3. Fortalecimiento al programa de dendroenergía

El fortalecimiento del programa de dendroenergía es una de las medidas de acción directas que conforman la actividad “Modelo de gestión sustentable de recursos vegetacionales” de la ENCCRV, y cuyo fin es influir rincipalmente sobre la actividad productiva insustentable que se identificó como una de las más importantes causales de degradación y aumento de las reservas de carbono forestal que afectan a las formaciones vegetacionales del país.

Guía operativa MT5-IF2. Fortalecimiento al programa de restauración institucional

El programa de restauración institucional se asocia a dos de las actividades principales de la ENCCRV, a la actividad Transversal y a la actividad de Fortalecimiento de la gestión en prevención de incendios forestales y restauración de áreas quemadas, ambas destinadas a influir sobre las causales de degradación, deforestación/devegetación y no aumentos de sumideros de carbono que afectan a las formaciones vegetacionales nativas del país.

Guía operativa MT4. Programa de forestación y revegetación

El programa de forestación y revegetación es una de las medidas de acción directas que conforman la actividad transversal de la ENCCRV, cuyo fin es influir sobre varias de las principales causales de degradación, deforestación/devegetación y no aumentos de sumideros que afectan a las formaciones vegetacionales nativas del país.

Guía operativa MG1. Programa de manejo silvoagropecuario en sitios prioritarios

El Programa de manejo silvoagropecuario en sitios prioritarios es una de las medidas de acción directas que conforman la actividad “Áreas modelo de gestión público-privada que compatibilicen el manejo de los recursos vegetacionales con la ganadería” de la ENCCRV, y cuyo fin es influir sobre el uso insustentable de los recursos vegetacionales para la ganadería, que se identificó como una de las más importantes causales de degradación y no aumentos de sumideros de carbono forestal que afectan a las formaciones vegetacionales nativas del país.

Guía operativa IF6. Programa de alternativas de manejo para residuos silvoagropecuarios

El Programa de alternativas de manejo para residuos silvoagropecuarios, es una de las medidas de acción facilitadoras que conforman la actividad de “Fortalecimiento de la gestión en prevención de incendios forestales y restauración de áreas quemadas” en la ENCCRV, y cuyo fin es influir sobre una de las causas del origen de incendios forestales, que es el principal motor de degradación, deforestación y devegetación que afectan a las formaciones vegetacionales del país.

Guía operativa IF3. Programa de silvicultura preventiva con énfasis en la interfaz urbana-rural

El Programa de silvicultura preventiva con énfasis en la interfaz urbana rural, es una de las medidas de acción directas que conforman la actividad de “Fortalecimiento de la gestión en prevención de incendios forestales y restauración de áreas quemadas” en la ENCCRV, y cuyo fin es influir sobre las principales causales de degradación, deforestación/devegetacion y no aumentos de sumideros de carbono que afectan a las formaciones vegetacionales nativas del país.

Guía operativa GA1. Programa de Adaptación para la Gestión de los Recursos Vegetacionales

El presente Programa se basa en la implementación de acciones para promover, facilitar e incrementar las dos condiciones que deben darse para la supervivencia de una especie al cambio climático: capacidad de dispersión/regeneración y la respuesta genética, las que serán la piedra angular para el diseño.

Manual de Silvicultura Preventiva de incendios forestales

El presente manual constituye a una guía metodológica para la ejecución de las actividades de silvicultura preventiva contra incendios forestales en áreas de bosque esclerófilo en la Zona Central de Chile, además, se hace referencia a actividades silviculturales a ser ejecutadas en vegetación no nativa.

Nota Informativa N°37. Actualización a escala nacional de los mapas de Desertificación, Degradación de las Tierras y Sequía (DDTS) de Chile.

En este estudio CONAF presenta la metodología y los resultados de información mejorada, actualizada y espacializada a nivel nacional, que permita abordar para un nuevo periodo el enfoque de Desertificación, Degradación de las Tierras y Sequía (DDTS) al año 2018 en Chile.

Nota Informativa N°36. Identificación de áreas para la recuperación de vegetación nativa afectada por mega incendio 2017, en la Región del Biobío.

El documento describe la Identificación de áreas para la recuperación de vegetación nativa afectada por mega incendio 2017, en la Región del Biobío. La Región del Biobío, una de las más afectadas por el megaincendio de 2017, ha establecido una estrategia de recuperación de los recursos vegetacionales afectados, con un enfoque de paisaje, que permita dirigir los esfuerzos de recuperación a zonas prioritarias. Lo anterior permitirá disminuir a corto plazo los problemas ambientales ocasionados por el megaincendio e iniciar una recuperación integral, que contribuya a mejorar nuestra biodiversidad y los beneficios que esta nos entrega.

Nota Informativa N°34. Guía de prácticas de planificación y ejecución operativa de medidas de acción de la ENCCRV.

La presente nota informativa tiene como objetivo mostrar un resumen de la “Guía de prácticas de planificación y ejecución operativa de medidas de acción de la ENCCRV”, documento que ha sido elaborado como una herramienta de apoyo para la implementación de todas las medidas de acción directas y una medida facilitadora que conforman una parte central de las actividades propuestas por la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales (ENCCRV).

Nota Informativa N°23. Diseño y levantamiento de información clave para enfrentar causales de desforestación y degradación forestal por uso insostenible de biomasa en el marco de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales.

Esta nota informativa resume los principales resultados del proyecto “Diseño y levantamiento de información clave para enfrentar causales de deforestación y degradación forestal por uso insostenible de biomasa mediante extensión y facilitación comercial que promueva su uso sostenible en poblaciones vulnerables rurales y urbanas” denominado también “Leña y Cambio Climático”, desarrollado en las regiones de La Araucanía, Los Ríos, Los Lagos y Aysén.

Nota Informativa N°21. Proceso de Autoevaluación de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales de Chile (ENCCRV).

El documento describe el proceso de Autoevaluación de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales de Chile (ENCCRV).

Nota Informativa N°20. Antecedentes para la definición y tratamiento del concepto de degradación forestal en el marco de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales (ENCCRV).

El documento describe los Antecedentes para la definición y tratamiento del concepto de degradación forestal en el marco de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales (ENCCRV).

Bosque nativo, comunidades y cambio climático. Avances en el Diseño y Preparación de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales de Chile (ENCCRV), y propuestas para su implementación

Libro de divulgación de la ENCCRV y de las acciones a nivel país en este ámbito y, al mismo tiempo, entrega contenidos que permitan dar realce a la importancia de los recursos vegetacionales de Chile y a su rol como proveedor de servicios ambientales en el escenario climático actual.

Documento Testimonial y de Análisis de los Efectos del Cambio Climático en el Sistema Nacional de Áreas Silvestres Protegidas del Estado

El documento elaborado por profesionales de la Gerencia de Áreas Silvestres Protegidas (GASP) y de la Unidad de Cambio Climático y Servicios Ambientales (UCCSA) en base a los insumos entregados por los guaradaparques y tiene como objetivo general recopilar en un escrito testimonial las percepciones de los funcionarios del Sistema Nacional de Áreas Silvestres Protegidas del Estado (SNASPE) sobre los efectos del cambio climático observados en estas áreas y correlacionarlos con datos de artículos científicos, así como otras publicaciones y antecedentes generados por la UCCSA durante el desarrollo de la ENCCRV y GASP.

Marco de Gestión Ambiental y Social de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales (MGAS-ENCCRV)

MGAS de ENCCRV que se presenta en este documento tiene por objetivo establecer y sistematizar, a través de protocolos definidos, los procedimientos de implementación y seguimiento de las Medidas de Acción de la ENCCRV, en concordancia con las Políticas Operacionales del Banco Mundial (OP/BM) activadas y otras salvaguardas que apliquen durante la implementación de la ENCCRV.

Sistema de Distribución de Beneficios (SDB) de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales (ENCCRV) de Chile. Para la fase de Pago por Resultados bajo el enfoque de REDD+

El documento da cuenta de los antecedentes que se han considerado para diseñar el Sistema de Distribución de Beneficios (SDB) para la ENCCRV. Esta Estrategia aborda el enfoque REDD+ promovido por la Convención Marco de Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático (CMNUCC) a través de sus decisiones, y que busca reducir las emisiones de carbono forestal producidas por deforestación y degradación forestal, y fomentar actividades que permitan aumentar la absorción de carbono forestal en el país

Sistema de Medición y Monitoreo de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales

El Sistema de Medición y Monitoreo (SMM) de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales 2017-2025 (ENCCRV), pretende proporcionar datos e información transparente, consistente y precisa a lo largo del tiempo, que permita presentar y demostrar los resultados de las intervenciones de la ENCCRV, especialmente las que se implementen de forma directa en el territorio, mediante la estimación de la situación histórica e inicial a través de un sistema que permita medir, reportar y generar los insumos para verificar las variaciones ocurridas durante la implementación.

CBD Technical Series no. 86: Managing ecosystems in the context of climate change mitigation: A review of current knowledge and recommendations to support ecosystem-based mitigation actions that look beyond terrestrial forests.

The report has been prepared by the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) for the Secretariat of the CBD, to summarize current knowledge on the potential contribution of ecosystem-based approaches to climate change mitigation, and additional benefits that such approaches can provide. The the study focuses on a number of other ecosystem types, beyond forests, with a high potential to contribute to climate change mitigation. The purpose of the study is to provide biodiversity managers with a reference document on the additional benefits of managing these ecosystems for carbon sequestration and storage.

CBD Technical Series no. 85: Synthesis report on experiences with ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction

This report has been prepared to provide a synthesis of experiences with ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, and an analysis of challenges, lessons learned and opportunities related to their design and implementation.

Using Spatial Analysis to Support REDD+ Land-Use Planning in Papua New Guinea: Strengthening Benefits for Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Livelihoods

Some of the analyses presented here were developed by national technicians in joint working sessions. This contributed to building national capacity in spatial analysis, access to relevant datasets and the use of decision support tools. As more and better data becomes available, the analyses presented here could be updated to provide better support for planning, including at a sub-national scale. We encourage follow-up work to build on the analyses presented here and to capitalize on the enhanced in country capacity for spatial analysis for evidence-based decision-making.

Ramsar COP 13 Resolution XIII.13

Restoration of degraded peatlands to mitigate and adapt to climate change and enhance biodiversity and disaster risk reduction

Best Practices in Governance and Biodiversity Safeguards for REDD+

Policy Brief

Programa de Adaptación para la Gestión de los Recursos Vegetacionales En el marco de cambio climático, desertificación, degradación de las tierras y sequía

Documento que da cuenta de los lineamientos y avances de la medida de acción Programa de Adaptación para la Gestión de los Recursos Vegetacionales En el marco de cambio climático, desertificación, degradación de las tierras y sequía (GA1) de la ENCCRV.

Gira de Campo. Proyectos de Restauración en la Región de Coquimbo con Cooperantes Internacionales y Servicios Públicos vinculados a la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales (ENCCRV)

Documento que incorpora una descripción de todas las actividades visitadas durante la gira 2016, además del contexto en el que se circunscriben los proyectos visitados.

Nota Informativa N°15. Proyecto de Restauración de Tierras en la Comuna de Ovalle, Región de Coquimbo en el marco de la fase de implementación de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales (ENCCRV) (2017-2025).

El documento describe el Proyecto de Restauración de Tierras en la Comuna de Ovalle, Región de Coquimbo en el marco de la fase de implementación de la ENCCRV, el proyecto busca establecer las bases que permitan el acercamiento a un modelo de inversión para las comunidades y promover la recuperación de los equilibrios ecosistémicos en los sitios de intervención a través de diversas técnicas, la construcción de obras de conservación de suelos, exclusión de animales herbívoros exóticos, forestación y revegetación idealmente con especies nativas y además, efectuar el monitoreo de las acciones en un horizonte de mediano plazo, apoyando el logro de las Metas de Aichi 5.

Best Practices and Considerations for the Development of REDD+ Country Approaches to Safeguards and Design of Safeguard Information Systems

Document developed by CLP and SNV (2016). This document aims to provide guidance and a systematic overview of the different processes and considerations that form the core of Country Approaches to Safeguards (CAS). The broader objective of this document is to provide a framework structure for REDD+ countries seeking to develop their own CAS to respond to the UNFCCC and other international REDD+ safeguard requirements.

Letter Of Intent (LOI)

Document which set the obligations for both parties, namely DRC and CAFI, in terms of milestones to be complied with by DRC and the necessary funding CAFI will have to provide for the implementation of the DRC National REDD+ Investment Plan

Lettre d'Intention (LOI)

Document qui détermine les obligations des deux parties, à savoir la RDC et l'Initiative pour les Forêts de l'Afrique Centrale (CAFI), en terme de jalons à atteindre pour la RDC et des financements à assurer par CAFI pour la mise en oeuvre du Plan d'investissement National REDD+

National REDD+ Investment Plan

Programatic framework translating the National REDD+ Strategy into sectoral activities and key reforms, with project files related to the pilars identified in the National REDD+ Strategy

Plan National d'Investissement REDD+

Cadre de programmation qui décline la mise en oeuvre de la Stratégie Nationale REDD+, en terme d'activités sectorielles, des politiques et des réformes clés, notamment avec des fiches projets qui sont présentés correspondant aux piliers de la Stratégie.

Stratégie Nationale REDD+ Appendices

Annexes au Document de la Stratégie Nationale REDD+

Stratégie Nationale REDD+

Document de référence qui identifie les moteurs directs et indirects de la déforestation et de la dégradation forestière. Il précise la vision du Gouvernement pour un développement économique et social du pays à faible carbone, à l’horizon 2035, centrée sur 7 piliers d’intervention stratégique, dont 3 piliers sectoriels (agriculture, énergie e forêt) et 4 piliers habilitants (gouvernance, aménagement de territoire, reforme foncière et démographie)

Conserving Forests to Combat Climate Change

In December 2015, the Paris Agreement recognized the critical role of forests in combating climate change. This recognition included actions to halt and reverse the rate of deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, which have contributed up to 20 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions. To assist countries in these actions, the agreement includes a framework of policies and incentives for reducing deforestation and forest degradation and increasing carbon storage in forests through conservation and sustainable management. This is known as REDD+, a mechanism that has evolved over a decade of discussions, research, and negotiations to become a key piece of the newly adopted climate architecture. The aim of REDD+ is to halt and reverse forest cover and carbon loss in developing countries by helping countries shift to low-emissions development pathways by increasing the value of healthy forests relative to other land uses. Achieving and sustaining the objectives of REDD+ requires the transformation of economic activities within and outside of forests, often referred to as the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. A solid understanding of REDD+ and the Paris Agreement is needed to accomplish these economic transformations and conserve forests as natural places, carbon stocks, and sustainable resources. This paper describes what REDD+ is, in a manner that is accessible to policy makers, scientists and civil society and in a form that is completely consistent with the UNFCCC decisions and agreements.

Sourcebook on Monitoring Biodiversity for REDD+

The Sourcebook published by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH seeks to bring clarity to the challenge of monitoring biodiversity for REDD+ while acknowledging the need to avoid adding further complexity. The Sourcebook emphasises a phased approach to monitoring based on availability of resources, and highlights that monitoring biodiversity as part of REDD+ can help countries to achieve both their biodiversity and climate commitments more cost-effectively. Contributing to the goal of achieving multiple benefits through REDD+, the Sourcebook seeks to answer three key questions: Why monitor biodiversity for REDD+? What to monitor? How to monitor? Drawing on the literature and contributions from a wide range of experts, the Sourcebook provides a simple framework for answering these questions. Summaries of key monitoring methods are presented with best practice guidance and practical case studies drawn from REDD+ and forest projects around the world.

Sourcebook on Monitoring Biodiversity for REDD+

The Sourcebook published by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH seeks to bring clarity to the challenge of monitoring biodiversity for REDD+ while acknowledging the need to avoid adding further complexity. The Sourcebook emphasises a phased approach to monitoring based on availability of resources, and highlights that monitoring biodiversity as part of REDD+ can help countries to achieve both their biodiversity and climate commitments more cost-effectively. Contributing to the goal of achieving multiple benefits through REDD+, the Sourcebook seeks to answer three key questions: Why monitor biodiversity for REDD+? What to monitor? How to monitor? Drawing on the literature and contributions from a wide range of experts, the Sourcebook provides a simple framework for answering these questions. Summaries of key monitoring methods are presented with best practice guidance and practical case studies drawn from REDD+ and forest projects around the world.

An Operational Framework for Defining and Monitoring Forest Degradation

Thompson, I. D., M. R. Guariguata, K. Okabe, C. Bahamondez, R. Nasi, V. Heymell, and C. Sabogal. 2013. An operational framework for defining and monitoring forest degradation. Ecology and Society 18(2): 20.

General Overview on Co-benefits of REDD+ implementation

Twenty-five success stories: Illustrating ITTO’s 25-year quest to sustain tropical forests

Twenty-five success stories: Illustrating ITTO’s 25-year quest to sustain tropical forests

Twenty-five success stories: Illustrating ITTO’s 25-year quest to sustain tropical forests

Working together to get forest measurement right: a solution for REDD+

Opportunities for achieving biodiversity conservation through REDD

The United Nations climate negotiations on reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) provide a rare opportunity for conservation of tropical forests and biodiversity. Here, we explore the implications of REDD design and implementation options on biodiversity conservation and ways to link REDD with biodiversity conservation. From both a mitigation and biodiversity perspective, the most important immediate steps are to ensure that REDD is included in the new global climate agreement and maximizes the area of tropical forest conserved. It may also be possible to include guidelines or incentives within a REDD framework or in national implementation to channel funding to areas of high biodiversity. However, if the immediate steps above are not taken first, REDD will reach neither its mitigation nor its biodiversity conservation potential.

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 21

Summary Madre de Dios Amazon REDD Project

Madre de Dios Amazon Project has been developed by Greenoxx NGO, who also financed an important part of the project and will exclusively commercialize it.

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 20

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 19

Policy paper on REDDplus

The German NGO Forum on Environment and Development has recently developed a policy Paper on REDDplus.

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 17

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 18

Environmental monitoring: the scale and speed of implementation varies according to the degree of peoples involvement

Solutions to the global environmental crisis require scientific knowledge and responses spanning different spatial scales and levels of societal organization; yet understanding how to translate environmental knowledge into decision-making and action remains limited. This analysis examined 104 published environmental monitoring schemes to assess whether participation in data collection and analysis influences the speed and scale of decision-making and action. The results show that involving local stakeholders in monitoring enhances management responses at local spatial scales, and increases the speed of decision-making to tackle environmental challenges at operational levels of resource management.

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 16

State of Forest, Policy Environment and Ways Forward

These studies covered the drivers of deforestation and existing national laws and policies on forests, land tenure, indigenous peoples and their rights, climate change and REDD+ from nine countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The reports also provided recommendations on how to address issues and challenges affecting forests and indigenous peoples.

Climate Change, REDD+ and Indigenous Peoples: Training Course for Indigenous Peoples

Composed of 5 training modules, this training course on Indigenous Peoples, Climate Change and REDD+ aims to enhance the capacity of indigenous leaders, educators and organizers to engage in national and international processes and mechanisms, particularly REDD+ and its repercussions.

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 14

Biodiversity and Livelihoods REDD-plus Benefits

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) have published a booklet on ‘Biodiversity and Livelihoods.

La Diversidad Biológica y los Medios de Vida Beneficios de REDD-plus

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (giz) have published a booklet on ‘Biodiversity and Livelihoods.

Biodiversité et moyens de subsistance Les avantages REDD-plus

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (giz) have published a booklet on ‘Biodiversity and Livelihoods.

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 13

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 12

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 11

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 10

L'accès au financement "fast start" pour la RDC, présentation

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 9

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 4

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 6

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 7

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Special Issue

Investing in REDD-plus, Consensus on frameworks for the financing and implementation of REDD-plus

Invirtiendo en REDD-plus, Consenso sobre marcos generales para el financiamiento e implementación de mecanismos de REDD-plus

Investir dans la REDD-plus, Consensus sur les cadres de financement et de l'application de la REDD-plus

Guidelines and eligibility criteria for REDD on biodiversity and on Indigenous Peoples and local communities

This paper by Pro Natura - Friends of the Earth Switzerland considers REDD and suggests guidelines as well as eligibility criteria with regard to biodiversity, indigenous peoples and local communities. For more information contact Friedrich Wulf at < friedrich.wulf@pronatura.ch >

Local Participation in Natural Resource Monitoring – A Characterization of Approaches

No system exists to guide the development and expansion of natural resource monitoring schemes. To help develop such a protocol, the authors present a typology of monitoring categories, defined by their degree of local participation, ranging from no local involvement with monitoring undertaken by professional researchers to an entirely local effort with monitoring undertaken by local people. The strengths and weaknesses of each monitoring category are assessed. Locally based monitoring can lead to rapid decisions to solve the key threats affecting natural resources, can empower local communities to better manage their resources, and can refine sustainable-use strategies to improve local livelihoods.

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 1

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 2

REDD-plus & Biodiversity e-Newsletter Volume 3

USAID's biodiversity conservation and forestry programs, FY 2007

USAID, along with the U.S. Department of State, spends approximately $90 million annually to reduce deforestation, increase sequestration, and enhance sustainable forest management. Some examples of USAID programs include: -Spending $30 million annually for conservation in the Amazon, including the Initiative for Conservation in the Andean Amazon and over $100 million since 2002 to targeted conservation programs as part of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership. -Working with the Center for International Forestry (CIFOR) to create a suite of training modules on topics related to forests and climate change, including modules on carbon accounting, forest management, trading carbon from forests, and international policy. -Assessing forest conservation and natural resources management programs – in countries such as Indonesia, Liberia and Bolivia – to see how they can be redesigned, to better incorporate forest climate practices and policies.