Rainforest scientists urge UN to correct "serious loophole" by changing its definition of 'forest'
25 June 2010
The
Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) has released a
resolution urging the UN to change its definition for 'forest', before
the controversial definition undermines conservation efforts,
biodiversity preservation, carbon sequestration, and the nascent REDD
(Reducing Emissions through Deforestation and forest Degradation).
Currently, the UN definition of 'forest' doesn't designate between a
natural forest ecosystem and a monoculture plantation, such as palm oil
or pulp and paper. In addition, the definition allows degraded or
partially-logged forests to still be considered 'forest' so long as they
have the requisite canopy cover.
Calling the definition a "serious loophole", ATBC recommends the UN
"clarify natural forest definitions on a biome basis (such as
'cool-temperate', 'wet tropical', and 'peat-swamp forest') to reflect
the wide-ranging differences in carbon and biodiversity values of these
different biomes, while clearly distinguishing between native forests
and those dominated by tree monocultures and non-native species."
The resolution points out that if the definition remains unchanged,
nations could take advantage of it in REDD programs by claiming carbon
funds for monoculture plantations or partially-logged forests,
landscapes which have emitted significant greenhouse gases due to forest
clearing and suffered a loss in biodiversity.
The organization "strongly recommends that developing and developed
nations immediately implement these new forest definitions to ensure
that they are incorporated in ongoing and future REDD negotiations."
ATBC is the world's largest professional society devoted to studying and
conserving tropical forests with thousands of members spanning over 100
nations.
ATBC argues that this palm oil plantation (beginning
with seedlings) in Sumatra should not be considered a 'forest' since it
is a monoculture made up of non-native species. Photo by: Rhett A.
Butler .
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