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  Introduction :
In 1996 WWF produced the first digital World Forest Map showing actual forest extent and protected areas. The WWF World Forest Map, produced in collaboration with the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), utilised national and international forest data spanning the last 20 years. It is a particularly important point of reference because it clearly demonstrates the extent of the danger to one of the world's invaluable natural resources.

This map is available as a full colour A0 poster, and can be ordered from Jill McIntosh at the Forests for Life Campaign Office. Order Now.

National Forest Maps
The World Forest Map was accompanied by 80 national maps detailing forest coverage and protection in individual countries. These maps are produced from a digital compilation of data from hundreds of sources which vary in accuracy and date. The most up-to-date and accurate sources of information for each country or region have been used. However, because of variations in information, there may be inconsistencies in some forest classifications. These will be rectified in future editions. Detailed information is stored digitally at WCMC and is available for further analysis.

The national maps currently available on the site have been updated by WCMC with more detailed information on forest types and protected areas containing forest. These are based on data from an analysis carried out by WCMC and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) to produce 'A Global Overview of Forest Conservation', details of which can be accessed on WCMC's web site at http://www.wcmc.org.uk/forest/data/cdrom2/index.html.

Forest Types
The forests have been classified into 22 types, definitions of which can be found at http://www.wcmc.org.uk/forest/data/cdrom2/text2.htm.

Protected Areas
The boundaries of those protected areas containing forest are shown where available. Where this is not the case, proportionally sized circles have been used to indicate their relative size and location. Those in IUCN Categories I and II are shown in red, with those from III-VI in pink.

GAP analysis
An analysis produced from overlaying forest cover with protected areas for the 1996 WWF World Forest Map indicated how much needed to be done to meet WWF's protected forest target. Of 33 million square kilometres of forest, a little over 2 million square kilometres - only 6 per cent was shown to be included in protected areas. To meet WWF's target, a minimum 1.3 million square kilometres of forests needed to be included in protected areas by the year 2000.

Background Data Sheets
Linked to each map is a background data sheet which gives details of forest area, protected areas containing forest and certified sites endorsed by the Forest Stewardship Council(FSC). These statistics have been compiled by WCMC, using data from the WCMC/CIFOR analysis 'A Global Overview of Forest Conservation'.

Whilst the best available data has been used in compilation it should be noted that these background data sheets are continually under review, and will be updated with new information as and when it becomes available.

Two Years on..........
Some of the most important 'forested nations' such as Brazil and Canada have committed themselves the Campaign's protected area target.

Commitment Update


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