Introduction (PSW-GTR-246)

Abstract

Globally, approximately two-thirds of the world's forests are considered degraded, but practical, cost-effective tools for monitoring forest quality remain elusive. Techniques for monitoring deforestation and changes to forest carbon stocks are widespread and well published. However, techniques for monitoring forest degradation are relatively untested in developing countries despite their inclusion in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). The lack of a forest degradation definition, challenges in forest monitoring methodologies, access to emerging technologies and knowledge, and the development of appropriate sampling frameworks all further complicate forest degradation monitoring.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the international workshop on monitoring forest degradation in Southeast Asia

Citation

Halperin, James; Ganz, David. 2013. Introduction (PSW-GTR-246). In: Mortenson, Leif A.; Halperin, James J.; Manley, Patricia N.; Turner, Rich L., eds. Proceedings of the international workshop on monitoring forest degradation in Southeast Asia. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-246. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: 1-3.