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