The National Forestry Programme

[TABLE OF CONTENTS | BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION | NATURAL FORESTS AND WOODLANDS | COMMUNITY FORESTRY | URBAN FORESTRY | INDUSTRIAL FORESTRY | INFORMATION AND DATA MANAGEMENT | RESEARCH | HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION | INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK AND STAFF REQUIREMENTS | IMMEDIATE ACTION PROGRAMME | MONITORING AND EVALUATING THE NATIONAL FORESTRY PROGRAMME]

6 INFORMATION AND DATA MANAGEMENT

A large amount of information on forestry and other natural resources is available in Swaziland. However, much of the information is not readily accessible, due to the lack of integrated information systems. For further description of current data management reference is made the Forest Policy Green Paper and White Paper.

6.1 Forest resource assessment

A reliable estimate of the national forest resources is required as a basis for forest policy implementation. Forest resource assessment should follow a methodology that can be reliably repeated for monitoring the resources, in particular with respect to the different strata and their spatial distribution. Periodic forest resource assessments will detect changes in forest cover, species distribution, species succession, regeneration, age distribution, etc.

The two most recent forest resource assessments, conducted in 1990 and 1999, have provided inconclusive data on the status of the forest resources. Introduction of a reliable methodology, which can be repeated within a shorter time interval, should be considered to remedy this situation. It is recommended to base the overall framework for guiding this activity on the methodology developed for defining national criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, following the principles of the Dry-zone Africa Process.

One of the objectives of this initiative is to gather country information on indicators and to monitor forest resources. The definition of criteria and indicators is a starting point for the improvement of the basis for the next forest resource assessment. The proper definition of many of the indicators would require the gathering of new and additional data, such as biodiversity indicators, conservation areas outside of protected areas, area lost annually containing endemic species and species indicators.

The primary responsibility for the Ministry responsible for forestry is to provide data on the extent, volume, growth rates and status of the forest resource. Forest Resource Assessments require substantial technical, financial and human resources, for which external funding are likely to be needed. The Ministry responsible for forestry has demonstrated its capacity to carry out inventories and is in a position to update data as an ongoing activity.

Modern techniques including remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) should be used to monitor deforestation and afforestation. The vegetation classification can be further upgraded with 1:50,000 thematic maps, satellite imagery and the latest aerial photography. It is recommended to concentrate activities on the following three areas, namely (1) review of forest vegetation types and classification, (2) Continuous Forest Inventory (CFI) and (3) establishment of Permanent Sample Plots (PSPs).

With respect to classification, adoption of the FAO Vegetation Classification System should be considered as the basis for improving the vegetation classification system for Swaziland. Higher level definition should take into account the SADC vegetation classification scheme, which is currently being developed as part of the Regional Biodiversity Information System (RBIS). The already existing local systems should be appraised for the definition of the lower levels.

6.2 Forestry data systems and national natural resource databases

The forestry data that have been generated in recent years include essential statistical and spatial information on forest resources. All interested stakeholders should use the information in planning and management applications. The available data should be organised in appropriate data management systems and be managed by an information unit within the Ministry responsible for forestry.

Statistical and geo-referenced databases on land, environmental resources, and socio-economic conditions are a precondition for planning. Practical approaches and suitable frameworks need to be selected for integrated environmental management, in particular with respect to spatial distribution. Although there is database development, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Swaziland, there is no formal overall national facility for information technology and spatial planning.

It is recommended to establish comprehensive natural resource databases and management information systems on a national basis, in collaboration with other government departments and stakeholders. The establishment of a national unit may take place in stages, with first priority the co-ordinate tabular and spatial databases with information on the environment. In a later stage a comprehensive national central unit should be developed, in order to cater for the needs of all stakeholders, including Government, NGOs and the private sector.

6.3 Priority action programme

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This page was last updated on 27 October 2004