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FRA 2000: A concept and strategy for ecological zoning for the global Forest Resources Assessment 2000

Year of publication 2002

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) A global ecological zoning (EZ) map is needed for carrying out the "Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000" (FRA 2000) presently being facilitated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The underlying strategy for FRA’s ecological zoning closely reflects both the thematic and technical requirements of the map, and the many operational constraints for implementation. Characteristics and components of the FAO EZ classification include the use of the Köppen system (1931) as a bas is for the delineation of zones. Details of the Köppen system, along with comparisons to other global-level ecological schemes demonstrate the rationale behind the FRA approach (Table 1). The mapping work will be carried out principally using regional or national "potential vegetation" maps to define boundaries of ecological zones at the global level. Although using a variety of map inputs inevitably provokes methodological problems such as edge matching across adjacent maps, a protocol for co rrecting such problems was successfully developed and implemented during a pilot study. The results of the North America Pilot Study illustrate the overall concept, methods, and utility of the map in an operational context (Annex A).

Language English

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    Global ecological zoning for the global forest resources assessment 2000 2001
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    A global ecological zoning (GEZ) map and database has been developed for the “Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000” (FRA 2000) conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The underlying strategy for FRA’s ecological zoning closely reflects both the thematic and technical requirements of the map and the many operational constraints for implementation. Characteristics and components of the FAO EZ classification include the use of the Köppen-Trewartha system (1968), with s ome modifications, in combination with vegetation characteristics as a basis for the delineation of zones. A key event in the development of the map was the Cambridge expert consultation, July 1999, where the concepts and proposed classification system were discussed, amendments made and a final classification system adopted. The GEZ classification system has a hierarchic structure: at the broadest level 5 domains are distinguished and at the second level 20 global Ecological Zones. The mapping work was carried out principally using regional or national “potential vegetation” maps to define boundaries of Ecological Zones at the global level. Regional experts and scientists provided support and advice. Although using a variety of map inputs inevitably provoked methodological problems such as edge matching across adjacent maps, a protocol for correcting such problems was successfully developed and implemented. In addition to the global EZ map regional descriptions were prepared on vegeta tion, climate and physiography of the Ecological Zones. The report is divided into three sections: • Part I presents the GEZ classification framework; • Part II explains how the map was developed; and • Part III contains the descriptions of the GEZ for each region.
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    Forest resources documentation, archiving and research for the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 2000
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    In the framework of the FRA 2000 and based upon a letter of agreement between FAO and University of Tuscia, a training period (as provided for by the rules of the Faculty of Forestry) has been carried out at FAO HQ as given in the following Terms of References.
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