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ITTO criteria and indicators for the sustainable management of African forests

ITTO pioneered the development and use of criteria andindicators (C&I) to monitor, assess and report on tropicalforests in the early 1990s, and the most recent version of the
globally applicable ITTO C&I was published in 2016. African
member countries, who benefited from an ITTO-funded regional
C&I capacity-building programme conducted between 2000 and2010, requested support to develop a set of C&I for Africa,
focusing on lessons learned under that programme and thespecific needs and characteristics of African forests. Thispublication is the result.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT

26

ITTO
ITTO criteria and indicators
for the sustainable managementof African tropical forests

Policy Development Series 26

International Tropical Timber Organization

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

1ITTO criteria and indicators for the sustainable
management of African tropical forests

Policy Development Series No. 26

International Tropical Timber Organization

2

Preferred citation: ITTO 2023. ITTO criteria and indicators for the sustainable management of African tropical forests.
Policy Development Series No. 26. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Yokohama, Japan.
ITTO is an intergovernmental organization promoting the conservation, restoration and sustainable management, use andtrade of tropical forest resources. Its members represent 80% of the world’s tropical forests and 90% of the global trade intropical timber and timber products. ITTO develops internationally agreed policy documents and guidelines to promotesustainable forest management and forest-based enterprises and assists tropical member countries to adapt such policies
and guidelines to local conditions and to implement them in the field through projects. In addition, ITTO collects, analyzes anddisseminates data on the production and trade of tropical timber and is the foremost source of information, statistics andtrends related to the global tropical timber economy. Since it became operational in 1987, ITTO has funded more than 1200
projects, pre-projects and activities valued at more than USD 430 million. All projects are funded by voluntary contributions,the major donors to date being the governments of Japan and the United States of America.
Disclaimer
The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever concerning
the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries.
Photo captions and credits
Front cover: Tending seedlings in the village of Agouegan, Togo. Photo: Soka Gakkai
Inside cover: Rural women involved in forest landscape restoration and agroforestry in the village of Dimbroko, Côte d’Ivoire. Photo: MALEBI
Back cover: Forestry students in Cameroon. Photo: ENEF, Mbalmayo© ITTO 2023
This work is copyright. Except for the ITTO logo, graphical and textual information in this publication may be reproduced
in whole or in part provided that it is not sold or put to commercial use and its source is acknowledged.
ISBN 978-4-86507-099-6

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

3

Contents
Foreword 		

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

4Abbreviations and acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

5

Executive summary  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

61 Introduction		  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Methodology		  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Adapting the ITTO C&I to the African context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

77
8

2 Criteria and indicators for the sustainable management of African tropical forests . . . . 

11

3 Reporting format for C&I-based monitoring, assessment and reporting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Criterion 1: Enabling conditions for sustainable forest management  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Criterion 2: Extent and condition of forests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Criterion 3: Forest ecosystem health and resilience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Criterion 4: Forest production  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Criterion 5: Forest biological diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Criterion 6: Soil and water protection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Criterion 7: Economic, social and cultural aspects  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

15
15
25
31
38
50
56
59

Resources		

69

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

4Foreword
For nearly three decades, ITTO has promoted criteria and indicators (C&I) as tools for implementing
sustainable forest management (SFM) in the tropics. For example, ITTO developed the first set of C&I for
SFM in 1992 and revised it in 1998 and again in 2016 to incorporate experience gained in tropical forest
management and international policy developments.
Forests are vitally important for socioeconomic development in Africa. They provide millions of poor Africans
with important nutritional supplements, traditional medicines, household energy and building materials.
Forest harvesting and agriculture are the main providers of employment and contribute significantly to theeconomies of most countries on the continent.
The importance of forests in Africa led the now-defunct African Timber Organization (ATO) to develop a
set of principles, criteria and indicators (PCI) for the sustainable management of tropical forests in Africa.
ITTO and ATO later worked together to produce a joint set of PCI, publishing the ATO/ITTO Principles,
Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Management of African Natural Tropical Forests in 2003.
The need to revise the ATO/ITTO PCI has become apparent in recent years in light of developmentsin the international context, particularly:•

increased recognition of the crucial role played by tropical forests in combating climate change;•

the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development; and•forest landscape restoration initiatives.

ITTO published its Voluntary Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests in 2015.
When it organized a workshop in Cotonou, Benin, in 2017 to disseminate these guidelines, participants
strongly recommended the revision and adaptation of the 2016 ITTO C&I to ensure their relevance toAfrica. Consequently, ITTO engaged two experts, Richard Eba’a Atyi and Olivier Ahimin Adje, to review
the ITTO C&I and adapt them to the African context. The result of their work was presented to African
experts at a workshop in Douala, Cameroon, on 28–30 September 2021, which reviewed the new set
of C&I for Africa.
The set of ITTO C&I for Africa presented in the present document, based on the outcomes of the workshop,
have benefited from the considerable experience accrued as a result of implementing the ATO/ITTO Principles,
Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Management of African Natural Tropical Forests under amultiphase ITTO regional project between 2003 and 2016. The present document, published in English
and French, also integrates new knowledge related to the climate crisis and the implementation of the
Sustainable Development Goals. I am grateful to Dr Eba’a Atyi and Dr Ahimin Adje and all participants in the
Douala workshop for their work in developing the C&I for Africa and thereby contributing to ITTO’s mandate
to promote sustainable management in the world’s tropical forests. I also express ITTO’s gratitude to theEuropean Union (who funded the workshop and the bulk of the consultancy) and the Government of Japan(who funded the finalization of this Policy Series publication) for their generosity.
Sheam Satkuru
ITTO Executive Director
November 2023

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

Abbreviations and acronyms
ATO

African Timber Organization (defunct)

C&I

criteria and indicators

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

FLR

forest landscape restoration

FMU

forest management unitGDPgross domestic producthahectare(s)ITTO

International Tropical Timber Organization

IUCN

International Union for Conservation of Naturekg

kilogram(s)mmetre(s)NAMAnational appropriate mitigation actionNGO

non-governmental organization

PCI

principles, criteria and indicators

PFE

permanent forest estate

REDD+	reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role ofconservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest
carbon stocks in developing countries
SDG

Sustainable Development Goal

SFM

sustainable forest management

USD

United States dollar(s)56Executive summary
The ATO/ITTO Principles, Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Management of African Natural
Tropical Forests (ATO/ITTO PCI), published jointly by ITTO and the African Timber Organization (ATO) in
2003, was designed for the member countries of both organizations to use as a guide in their actions topromote and implement the sustainable management of natural forests. ITTO’s 2021–2022 Biennial Work
Programme included, among other things, the revision of the ATO/ITTO PCI, in line with a recommendation
made at an ITTO regional workshop held in 2017.
The present document (“C&I for Africa”) has been prepared based on the ITTO Criteria and Indicators for the
Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests published in 2016. It was developed with the involvement ofexperts from all ITTO African member countries and informed by the lessons learned in the implementationof a regional ITTO project on the ATO/ITTO PCI, which spanned 2003 to 2016. The C&I for Africa also
recognizes the specificities of the African forest sector characterized by a need for improved governance(Criterion 1), the important role of the sector in national economies (Criterion 4), and the socioeconomic
importance of forests for communities in Africa (Criterion 7). Given these considerations, the C&I for Africa
includes a larger number of indicators than those contained in the global-level ITTO C&I published in 2016.
The development of the C&I for Africa comprised four main stages, with the first three undertaken by
consultants recruited by ITTO for this purpose: 1) a review of the level of implementation of C&I for thesustainable management of tropical forests by African ITTO member countries; 2) a review of ITTO’s
Environmental and Social Management Guidelines, Guidelines for the Forest Landscape Restoration in
the Tropics, and Voluntary Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests; 3) an
initial (“zero”) draft of a new set of ITTO C&I for the sustainable management of African tropical foreststhat integrated various aspects covered in the three ITTO guidelines; and 4) a regional technical workshop
to validate the zero draft, which brought together 30 participants from ten African ITTO member countries.

Adapting the ITTO C&I to the African context
African forests must be protected and sustainably managed so they can both provide their essential
ecosystem services and meet the food, energy and economic needs of communities. Tailoring ITTO’s
universal set of C&I for the African context involved significant changes, including an increase in the total
number of indicators from 58 to 94. Changes in the number of indicators for each criterion is as follows:•

Criterion 1: Enabling conditions for sustainable forest management (17 indicators, compared with 11 in
ITTO’s universal C&I published in 2016)•

Criterion 2: Extent and condition of forests (10 indicators, compared with 8)•

Criterion 3: Forest ecosystem health and resilience (13 indicators, compared with 5)•

Criterion 4: Forest production (18 indicators, compared with 10)•

Criterion 5: Forest biological diversity (10 indicators, compared with 7)•

Criterion 6: Soil and water protection (7 indicators, compared with 5)•

Criterion 7: Economic, social and cultural aspects (19 indicators, compared with 12).

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

1 Introduction
ITTO developed Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests in 1990 andfollowed this with several other sets of thematic guidelines (e.g. on plantations, biodiversity conservationand forest fire). The first version of ITTO’s criteria and indicators (C&I) for the sustainable management of
natural tropical forests was published in 1992, just before the Rio Earth Summit. This was revised in 1998
and 2016 to incorporate the experience gained in using the C&I and developments in international forest
policy processes. ITTO and the African Timber Organization (ATO) jointly published the ATO/ITTO
Principles, Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Management of African Natural Tropical Forests(ATO/ITTO PCI) in 2003. That document, which harmonized two parallel processes, was designed for themember countries of both organizations to use as a guide in their actions to promote and implement thesustainable management of their natural forests.
ITTO’s 2021–2022 Biennial Work Programme included, among other things, the revision of the ATO/ITTO
PCI, in line with a recommendation made at a regional workshop to disseminate the ITTO Voluntary
Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests, which took place in Cotonou,
Benin, on 8–12 May 2017. It was in the context of the implementation of that recommendation that ITTO
commissioned the present work.
The ITTO Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Management of African Tropical Forests (“C&I for Africa”)
was developed with the involvement of experts from all ITTO African member countries, who met at a regional
workshop in Douala, Cameroon, in September 2021, informed by the lessons learned in the implementationof a regional ITTO project (PD 124/01 (M)) on the ATO/ITTO PCI, which spanned 2003 to 2016. This
document also recognizes the specificities of the African forest sector characterized by a need for improved
governance (Criterion 1), the important role of the sector in national economies (Criterion 4), and thesocioeconomic importance of forests for communities in Africa (Criterion 7). Given these considerations,the C&I for Africa include a larger number of indicators (94) than the 58 contained in the most recent
global-level ITTO C&I (ITTO 2016).

Methodology
The development of the C&I for Africa comprised four main stages, with the first three undertaken by
consultants recruited by ITTO for this purpose:
1) A review was produced of the level of implementation of C&I for the sustainable management of
tropical forests by African ITTO member countries, including an analysis of the functioning of the working
groups established during successive phases of the ITTO project (PD 124/01 (M)). A report on the useof PCI by member countries was compiled, which included national reports on progress toward SFM;
the training of auditors; and the conduct of pilot audit missions.
2) A review of the following three ITTO guidelines was produced: 1) ITTO Environmental and Social
Management Guidelines; 2) Guidelines for the Forest Landscape Restoration in the Tropics; and 3)
Voluntary Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests.
3) An initial (“zero”) draft was developed of a new set of ITTO C&I for the sustainable management ofAfrican tropical forests with a view to integrating the various aspects covered in the guidelines referred
to above. The preparation of the zero draft also encompassed recent developments on the roles offorests in combating climate change and in achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). ITTO staff contributed comments on the zero draft, which were incorporated into the document.
4) A regional technical workshop was convened in Douala, Cameroon, to validate the zero draft. Thisbrought together 30 participants from the following ten African ITTO member countries: Cameroon, theCentral African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon,
Liberia, Mali, Mozambique and Togo. Three member countries—Benin, Ghana and Madagascar—
were unable to participate for logistical reasons.

7

8

On the basis of the work carried out in the first two stages, adapting the C&I to the African context consistedof eliminating some indicators from the original version, modifying others and developing new indicators.

Adapting the ITTO C&I to the African context
The importance of forests to national economies explains why the African experts attending the Douala
workshop focused a large part of their efforts on Criterion 4 (forest production) and adapted it
comprehensively to the African context, substantially increasing the number of indicators.
African forests must be protected and sustainably managed so they can both provide their essential
ecosystem services and meet the food, energy and economic needs of communities. In this document,
the social importance of forests for African people is highlighted in Criterion 7, for which the experts
considered it necessary to increase the number of indicators from 12 to 19.
Promoting SFM and maximizing its role in climate-change mitigation and adaptation often requires
changes in policies, strategies and practices—hence the importance of adopting a holistic view of the roleof forests when developing tools to promote sustainable forest management. The C&I for Africa recognizes
that governance is a major constraint in the management of African forests, which is the reason why theexperts provided a particularly detailed explanation of Criterion 1, which now includes 17 indicators, up
from 11 in the 2016 ITTO C&I.
Table 1 shows the number of indicators validated for each criterion in the present document comparedwith the 2016 edition of the ITTO C&I (ITTO 2016), and the main changes made. The number of indicators
has increased considerably, reflecting the need for expanded coverage under nearly all criteria toadequately monitor and report on African tropical forests.

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

Table 1: A comparison of the number of indicators in ITTO (2016) and the present document, and main changes,
by criterion and subcriterion
Criterion

Subcriteria

No.
indicators,
ITTO (2016)No.
indicators,present
document

1 Enabling
conditions forsustainable forest
management

Policy, legal andgovernanceframework

3

6

Broaden the scope of indicators to other terrestrial ecosystems and land
management and take into account the participation of stakeholders inforest management-related decision-making

Institutionalframework

2

4

Include institutions responsible for sustainable forest management andforest control; take into account the specific functions of personnel
responsible for implementing and supporting sustainable management
and the need for sufficient related financial resources

Planning andmonitoring
framework

4

4

Specify the availability of mechanisms that underlie stakeholder
participation in land-use and forest management planning, monitoring
and assessment

Economic
framework

2

3

Specify the availability of sustainable funding mechanisms and highlightinternational funding available for sustainable forest management

Subtotal, Criterion 1

11

17

2 Extent andcondition offorests

N/A

8

10

Subtotal, Criterion 2

810

3 Forest
ecosystem
health andresilience

Addressing threats
to, andvulnerabilities of,forests

3

9

Take into account the extent of deforestation and forest degradation
resulting from human activities and existing mechanisms for combating
deforestation and degradation at the national and subnational levels;
quantify vulnerability in terms of forest area disturbed by natural causes;
highlight the availability of a multisectoral consultation framework on
climate change, including forests, a strategy to combat climate change
at the national and subnational levels, and funding mechanisms as wellas mechanisms for monitoring the impacts of climate change on forests

Restoration of
degraded forestsand land

2

4

Take into account the availability of strategies and multistakeholder
initiatives for the restoration of forest landscapes in line with local
needs and of mechanisms for monitoring change in degraded forests

Subtotal, Criterion 3

513

4 Forest
production

Resources
assessment

45

Clarify the nature of assessments, particularly in terms of the extent
and area of natural production forests and the effectiveness of woodand non-wood product harvesting in natural forests, based onallowable harvest; document the dynamics of carbon stocks

Harvestingplanning andcontrol procedures

3

9

Extend the scope of indicators to planted production forests and specify
concession areas in natural and planted production forests, annual area ofplanned harvesting in natural and planted production forests, annual area
covered by harvesting in natural and planted production forests, andtraceability systems compliant with forest certification systems; indicate theavailability of a system for monitoring and archiving forest management data

Silviculture innatural andplanted forests

3

4

Clarify that the indicator refers to the uptake and implementationof reduced impact logging principles, and highlight the availabilityof silvicultural systems implemented in natural production forests;
omit the term “strategic” from monitoring of silvicultural systems

1018

Subtotal, Criterion 4

Main changes

Provide details on the nature of the extent of forests, particularly in termsof forest area; take into account planted forests, forest ownershiptypes, and the extent and area of production forests with multiyear
management plans; include forest certification systems in complianceschemes; take into account the dynamics of forest carbon stock

910

Table 1 (continued): A comparison of the number of indicators in ITTO (2016) and the present document, and main changes,
by criterion and subcriterion
Criterion

No.
indicators,
ITTO (2016)No.
indicators,present
document

Ecosystem
diversity

2

3

Specify the extent (number and area) of terrestrial protected areas bytype of forest, the availability of operational mechanisms for the
management of buffer zones, and connectivity between forest protectedareas

Species diversity

2

4

Provide details on endangered species; provide details on the availabilityof strategies for the conservation of biodiversity, and of ecologicalmonitoring mechanisms in protected areas

Genetic diversity

1

1

No change

Biodiversity
conservation in
production forests22

Include existing biodiversity conservation measures in planted forests

Subtotal, Criterion 57

10

6 Soil and water
protection

Extent ofprotection

2

3

Include measures for protecting downstream catchment values
implemented at the landscape scale and take into account theavailability of operational mechanisms for involving land-use
stakeholders in soil and water protection

Protectivefunctions in
production forests

3

4

Provide details on the mechanisms implemented to prevent soil and water
degradation in production forests; provide details on the mechanisms
implemented to prevent soil and water degradation in the non-permanent
forest estate (PFE), and take into account the non-PFE area undermanagement for protecting soil and water quality

Subtotal, Criterion 657

7 Economic,
social andcultural aspects

Economic aspects

36

Extend the scope to the national economy, including employment; highlightthe economic cost-effectiveness in the industry—timber production
volume by product type and quantity of non-wood forest productproduction; delete “national origin”; identify the importance of woodand non-wood forest product processing by including processing rates

Social and cultural
aspects

68Highlight the availability of procedures for assessing the social andenvironmental impacts of forest activities and of measures implemented
through environmental and social management plans; take into accountall stakeholders involved in forest management; provide details on
livelihoods in terms of subsistence activities among Indigenous Peoples
and local communities in PFE forests

Local communityand Indigenous
Peoples’ rights
and participation
in forest
management

3

5

Refer to respect for the user rights of Indigenous Peoples and local
communities; specify the availability of mechanisms for involving
Indigenous Peoples and local communities in forest management
and need to assess the extent of their involvement in forest areas undermanagement and wood and non-wood production; indicate the needto take into account the forest management knowledge and know-how
of local communities and Indigenous Peoples

Subtotal, Criterion 7

12

19

Total

58

94

5 Forest
biologicaldiversity

Subcriteria

Main changes* ITTO 2016. Criteria and indicators for the sustainable management of tropical forests. ITTO Policy Development Series No. 21. International Tropical Timber Organization,
Yokohama, Japan.

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

2 Criteria and indicators for the sustainable
management of African tropical forests
Criterion 1: Enabling conditions for sustainable forest management
Policy, legal and governance framework
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6

Policies, laws and regulations governing forests
Policies, laws and regulations governing other terrestrial ecosystems
Policies, laws and regulations governing land management
Forest tenure and forest ownership categories
Forest governance
Existence of stakeholder participation mechanisms for forest management decision-making

Institutional framework
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10

Institutions responsible for SFM
Institutions responsible for forest control
Existence of skilled professional and technical personnel for implementing and supporting SFM
Allocation of adequate budget to institutions responsible for forest management

Planning and monitoring framework
1.11
1.12
1.13
1.14

Integration of forests in national and subnational land-use planning
Capacity and mechanisms for management planning and periodic monitoring of implementation
Long-term projections, strategies and plans for production PFE and protection PFE
Existence of mechanisms for stakeholder participation in land-use and forest management planning,monitoring and assessment

Economic framework
1.15 Existence of sustainable public and private funding mechanisms committed to SFM at the nationaland subnational level
1.16 International public and private funding committed to SFM
1.17 Incentives to encourage SFM

Criterion 2: Extent and condition of forests
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10

Extent and percentage of total land area under comprehensive land-use plans
Extent and area of forests committed to production and protection
Extent and area of planted forests by type of use
Extent and percentage of total land area under each forest type
Extent and area of forest by type of ownership
Extent and area of production forests under multiyear forest management plans
Extent and area of protection forests under multiyear forest management plans
Forest area under compliance schemes. Forest area in compliance with certification systems
Change in forest area
Periodic change in forest carbon stock

11

12

Criterion 3: Forest ecosystem health and resilience
Addressing threats to, and vulnerabilities of, forests
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9

Threats to forests caused directly by human activities
Area and percentage of deforested forest land by type of human activity
Area and percentage of degraded land by type of human activity
Mechanisms for controlling deforestation and degradation at the national and subnational levels
Vulnerability of forests to natural disturbances—forest area disturbed by natural causes
Existence of a multisectoral consultation framework on climate change that includes forests
Existence of strategies for combating climate change at the national and subnational levels
Funding and implementation of strategies for combating climate change
Monitoring of climate-change impacts on forests

Restoration of degraded forests and land
3.10
3.11
3.12
3.13

Existence of strategies for restoring forest landscapes, in line with local needs
Multistakeholder initiatives implemented for forest landscape restoration
Mechanism for monitoring changes in area of degraded forest land
Area of formerly degraded forest or forest land restored

Criterion 4: Forest production
Resources assessment
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5

Extent and percentage of inventoried natural production forests, by type of product
Actual and allowable harvest of wood and non-wood products in natural forests
Inventories in planted production forests, by product
Actual harvest of wood and non-wood products in planted forests
Periodic change in forest carbon stock

Harvesting planning and control procedures
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14

Area of concessions in natural production forests
Area of planted production forests
Annual area of planned harvesting in natural production forests
Annual area of planned harvesting in planted production forests
Annual harvested area in natural production forests
Annual harvested area in planted production forests
Forest product tracking systems or similar control mechanisms
Tracking systems in compliance with certification systems
Existence of systems for monitoring and archiving forest management data

Silviculture in natural and planted forests
4.15
4.16
4.17
4.18

Uptake and implementation of reduced impact harvesting principles
Silvicultural systems in natural production forests
Silvicultural management in planted forests
Monitoring of silvicultural systems in natural and planted forests

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

Criterion 5: Forest biological diversity
Ecosystem diversity
5.1
5.2
5.3

Number and area of terrestrial protected areas, by type
Forest extent in protected areas
Existence of operational mechanisms for the management of buffer zones and connectivity of forest
protected areas

Species diversity
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7

Threatened forest-dependent plant and wildlife species
Existence of strategies for conserving plant species diversity in natural tropical forests
Existence of strategies for conserving wildlife species diversity in natural tropical forests
Implementation of ecological monitoring in protected areas

Genetic diversity
5.8

In situ conservation of genetic variation within specified forest tree species

Biodiversity conservation in production forests
5.9 Biodiversity conservation measures in natural production forests
5.10 Biodiversity conservation measures in planted forests

Criterion 6: Soil and water protection
Extent of protection
6.1
6.2
6.3

Forest area managed primarily for the protection of soil and water
Implementation of measures for protecting downstream catchment values at the landscape level
Existence of operational mechanisms for involving land-use stakeholders in soil and water protection

Protective functions in production forests
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7

Mechanisms implemented for preventing soil and water degradation in production forests
Area of production PFE considered environmentally sensitive and protected
Mechanisms implemented for preventing soil and water degradation in the PFE
Area managed for protecting soil and water quality in non-PFE

Criterion 7: Economic, social and cultural aspects
Economic aspects
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6

Contribution of the forest sector to national economies
Contribution of the forest sector to employment
Volume of wood production by product category
Volume of non-wood forest production
Value of forest products and environmental services
Processing rate of wood and non-wood forest products

13

14

Social and cultural aspects
7.7
7.8
7.9
7.10
7.11
7.12
7.13
7.14

Existence of procedures for assessing the social and environmental impacts of activities affecting forests
Implementation of environmental and social management plans
Capacity building of the workforce in forest management and forest industry
Procedures to ensure the health and safety of forest workers
Mechanisms for the equitable sharing of the costs and benefits of forest management
Mechanisms for resolving forest management-related disputes between forest stakeholders
Livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in PFE forests
Forests reserved for specific cultural, research and educational purposes

Local community and Indigenous Peoples’ rights and participation in forest management
7.15
7.16
7.17
7.18
7.19

Respect for user rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities over PFE forests
Mechanisms for involving Indigenous Peoples and local communities in forest management
Area of forests managed by Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities for timber and non-timber production
Involvement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in forest management
Recognition of the forest management knowledge and skills of local communities and Indigenous People

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3 Reporting format for C&I-based monitoring,assessment and reporting
Criterion 1: Enabling conditions for sustainable forest management
The necessary enabling conditions for SFM at all scales—national/subnational, landscape and local (forest
management unit—FMU)—are political commitment and supportive policies, laws and regulations; conducive
economic and financial conditions; appropriate institutions and adequate and equitable governance; adequate andsecure forest tenure, access and use rights, including customary and traditional rights; and appropriate planning,monitoring and reporting frameworks.

Policy, legal and governance framework: indicators 1.1–1.3
Forests, especially those in the permanent forest estate (PFE), should be secured, protected and managed inaccordance with best management practices involving all stakeholders, in particular Indigenous Peoples and local
communities dependent on forests.
Indicator 1.1
Policies, laws and regulations governing forests

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level1
7

Policies

Laws

Regulations

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Framework governing:a) National SFM objectives, including production,
protection and investmentb) Mechanisms for cross-sectoral policy
coordinationc) Establishment and security of the PFEd) Forest tenure and associated rightse) Participation of local communities andother stakeholders in forest managementf) Control of forest management operationsg) Control of illegal activities in forest areash) Health and safety of forest workers
Notes• List all relevant policies, laws and regulations.
• For each policy, law and regulation, give a brief description of any sections relevant to a through h.
• List significant gaps in the coverage of policies, laws and regulations (taking into account a through h).
• List significant changes made to laws, policies and regulations since the previous report.
1 33 = fully applicable

3 = partially applicable

7 = not applicable16

Indicator 1.2
Policies, laws and regulations governing otherterrestrial ecosystems

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level
7

Laws

Regulations

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Framework governing:

Policiesa) National objectives for including SFM in other ecosystemrelated activitiesb) Coordination mechanisms for intersectoral policiesc) Inclusion of forest protection in non-forest activitiesd) Land tenure and associated rightse) Participation of local communities and other stakeholders
in the management of residual forest patches
Notes• List all relevant policies, laws and regulations.
• For each policy, law and regulation, give a brief description of any sections relevant to a through e.
• List significant gaps in the coverage of policies, laws and regulations (taking into account a through d).
• List significant changes made to laws, policies and regulations since the previous report.

Indicator 1.3
Policies, laws and regulations governing
land management

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level
7

Laws

Regulations

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Framework governing:

Policiesa) Long-term use rights in land tenureb) National land-use planc) Mechanisms for managing land-tenure-related conflictsd) Significant changes in land use
Notes• List all relevant policies, laws and regulations.
• For each policy, law and regulation, give a brief description of any sections relevant to a through d.
• List significant gaps in the coverage of policies, laws and regulations (taking into account a through d).
• List significant changes made to laws, policies and regulations since the previous report.

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Indicator 1.4
Forest tenure and forest ownership categories

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Class

Category

PFE

Publicly owned- State (including subnational states or provinces,where applicable), including share designatedas leasehold- Municipal/communal or public associations- Other public [please specify]

Area (ha)Privately owned- Private investment firms- Foundations- Private associations of smallholders, communities- Individuals/families
Indigenous-owned
NonPFE

Publicly owned- State (including subnational states or provinces,where applicable), including share designatedas leasehold- Municipal/communal or public associations- Other public [please specify]
Privately owned- Private investment firms- Foundations- Associations of smallholders, communities- Individuals/families
Indigenous-owned

Notes• Indicate the specific tenure and ownership situation according to the country’s legal context.
• Where applicable, specify differences between land and tree ownership, and forest carbon ownership.
• Distinguish between natural and planted forest.

18

Indicator 1.5
Forest governance

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Questions to characterize the indicatora) Does the forest law include a specific statementthat constitutes the national (or subnational, whereapplicable) policy for, or objective of, SFM?
b) Are the laws governing the use of forest resources
consistent and clear?
c) Do laws recognize traditional and indigenous rights
to forest resources?
d) Are there mechanisms in government to address
forest-related policies and implementation crosssectorally?
e) Does the law protect non-marketed goods andservices (e.g. ecosystem integrity, water quality,
cultural resources)?
f) Are stakeholders able to provide inputs to the creationof forest policies, public forest management plans andsubsidiary rules?
g) Are inventory data, management plans, laws andbudgets for state-owned forests easily accessible
to the public?
h) Is the collection, sharing and redistribution of forest
taxes, royalties, charges and rents effective?
i) Does the administration’s effort to combat forest
crimes encompass the whole forest supply chain(transport, processing and trade)?
j) Do serious conflicts exist between the stateand stakeholders that interfere with forest use?
k) Does the public have opportunities to report corrupt
practices to appropriate authorities?
l) Are there regular audits of the forest agencies,
and is action taken on the findings?
m) Do communication strategies and feedback
mechanisms exist to increase awareness of SFM?
Notes
• Based on national consultation processes as appropriate.

Yes/NoFurther information

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Indicator 1.6
Existence of stakeholder participation mechanisms
for forest management decision-making

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Questions to characterize the indicator

Yes/NoFurther informationa) Are the institutions responsible for SFM organizedbased on a clear definition of responsibilities?
b) Are there partnerships with other institutions involvedin efforts impacting forest management?
c) Do laws recognize traditional and indigenous rights
to forest resources?
d) Do clear procedures exist in government forgoverning the implementation of SFM activities?
e) Is there a monitoring and evaluation mechanism forensuring the appropriate implementation of actions?
f) Do evaluations result in sanctions/awards determinedthrough consensus?
g) Are there arrangements to ensure that noncompliances reported during monitoring andevaluation are remedied?
Notes• Based on national consultation processes, as appropriate.

Institutional framework: indicators 1.7–1.10
Appropriate and capable institutions with effective linkages between them are essential for SFM. Wellorganized implementing agencies and research and educational institutions with sufficient appropriately
trained personnel are needed to ensure that forests are managed in accordance with scientific, technical,
socioeconomic and traditional knowledge.
Indicator 1.7
Institutions responsible for SFM

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Institutions

Name

Nature of responsibilities

Primary ministry in charge of forest management
Other public [please specify]
Semi-public (e.g. public enterprises)
Supporting
Other [please specify]
Notes• Describe public institutions (e.g. forest agencies and enterprises) with primary responsibilities for forest
management, wildlife resources, REDD+, etc.
• “Other” institutions may include, for example, ministries and public agencies dealing with aspects relevant toforest management, such as environment, energy and water; educational, training and research organizations;private-sector organizations (e.g. producer organizations); civil-society organizations; the informal sector; andfinancial and investment institutions.

20

Indicator 1.8
Institutions responsible for forest control

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Institutions

Name

Nature of responsibilities

Main divisions of the ministry in charge of forest control
Other public [please specify]
Semi-public (e.g. public enterprises)
Independent monitoring of forestry activities
Other [please specify]
Notes• Describe public institutions (e.g. forest agencies and enterprises) with primary responsibilities for forest
management, wildlife resources, REDD+, etc.
• “Other” institutions may include, for example, ministries and public agencies dealing with aspects relevant toforest management, such as environment, energy and water; educational, training and research organizations;private-sector organizations (e.g. producer organizations); civil-society organizations; the informal sector; andfinancial and investment institutions.

Indicator 1.9
Existence of skilled professional and technicalpersonnel for implementing and supporting SFM

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Category of personnel

Public [number]

Private [number]

Forest management
Professionals in forest management(university-educated/technical)
Trained forest workers in forest management
Forest-based research and forest-based education
Others [please specify]
TOTAL
Downstream forest product industries and trade
Professionals in forest management(university-educated/technical)
Trained workers
Other indirect employment [please specify]
TOTAL
Notes
• Forest management encompasses forest management planning, the implementation of forest management
plans, and monitoring, assessment and reporting, including administrative duties.
• As per indicator 1.4, “public” comprises the primary ministry in charge of forest management, semi-public
institutions, and those public institutions listed in “other”; it also encompasses forestry administration,
research and education.
• “Private” includes forest concessions, private operations, professional organizations, non-governmentalorganizations (NGOs), etc.

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Indicator 1.10
Allocation of adequate budget to institutions
responsible for forest management

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Funding sources

Public amount(USD 000);

Private amount(USD 000);

Forest management
Institutions responsible for SFM
Institutions responsible for vocational training
Institutions responsible for forestry research
NGOs
Other [please specify]
Notes• Forest management encompasses forest management planning, the implementation of forest management
plans, and monitoring, assessment and reporting, including administrative duties.
• As per indicator 1.4, “public” comprises the primary ministry in charge of forest management, semi-public
institutions, and those public institutions listed in “other”; it also encompasses forestry administration,
research and education.
• “Private” includes forest concessions, private operations, professional organizations, NGOs, etc.
• NGOs include national/international NGOs.
• Provide the exchange rate if reported in national currency.

Planning and monitoring framework: indicators 1.11–1.14
Planning is needed at the landscape scale—that is, over areas large enough to be resilient in the face ofenvironmental change and to maintain ecological integrity. Landscape-scale planning is essential for thesustainable management of natural resources, including forests, and it requires coordinated interinstitutional
action and the participation of diverse stakeholders. Planning for SFM thus needs an adequate framework,
combined with the use of appropriate technologies and effective monitoring and control.
Indicator 1.11
Integration of forests in national andsubnational land-use planning

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Land-use policies and planning

Notes• Describe the mechanisms used to formulate land-use policies aimed at the conservation and sustainable useof natural resources, including land, soils, forests and water.
• Describe the extent to which SFM planning is part of landscape-level planning.
• Describe how multiple-use forest management is integrated into wider land-use planning.
• List the major constraints encountered in the integration of forests in land-use planning.

22

Indicator 1.12
Capacity and mechanisms for management
planning and periodic monitoring of implementation

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Capacity and mechanisms

Notes• Describe the mechanisms used for planning SFM (including periodic monitoring, evaluation and feedback
on progress).
• Describe how periodic national and subnational forest resource assessments are carried out and how data are used.
• Describe how multiyear forest management plans are developed and used for management planning at the
FMU level.
• Describe the capacity available and institutions responsible for management planning and monitoring.
• List the major constraints encountered in management planning and monitoring.

Indicator 1.13
Long-term projections, strategies and plansfor production PFE and protection PFE

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Production PFE (including expanded use of planted forest)[Textual response, with estimates in hectares,
if possible]

Protection PFE (including expanded use of planted
forest for protection purposes)[Textual response, with estimates in hectares,
if possible]

Notes• Describe projections (five years and beyond), strategies or plans for production (including expanded useof planted forest) to bring the management of harvesting practices and patterns into alignment with SFM
objectives and forest protection, based on categories as described in annexes 3, 4 and 5 of ITTO (2016).

Indicator 1.14
Existence of mechanisms for stakeholder
participation in land-use and forest management
planning, monitoring and assessment

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
List the institutions responsible for stakeholder participationin land-use management planning
Describe the processes of stakeholder participation,
indicating the parties involved and their levels of involvement
Describe any improvements proposed and any
constraints to their introduction
Notes• List the institutions responsible for stakeholder participation in land-use management planning at thelandscape scale (for small countries, this may also be the national level).

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Economic framework: indicators 1.15–1.17
One of the most important requirements for achieving SFM is the availability of financial resources (e.g.
grants, concessional funding and loans) and the provision of incentives and appropriate economic instrumentsthat promote and support SFM. Capturing the full value of forests, including forest products and environmental
services, and ensuring the equitable distribution of costs and benefits, are essential for SFM.
Indicator 1.15
EExistence of sustainable public and private
funding mechanisms committed to SFM at
the national and subnational level

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Amount(USD 000)

SourceComments(including reference year)

Public sources– National governments– Subnational governments
International aid partners– Grants– Loans
Private sources– Domestic– ForeignNotes• Provide the exchange rate if reported in national currency.
• Indicate if funding is annual or multiyear.

Indicator 1.16
International public and private funding
committed to SFM

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
SourceInternational aid partners– Grants– Loans
Private sources– Foreign
NGO and civil-society sources
Notes• Provide the exchange rate if reported in national currency.
• Indicate if funding is annual or multiyear.

Amount(USD 000)

Comments(including reference year)

24

Indicator 1.17
Incentives to encourage SFM

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Assess and briefly describe the framework conditions(e.g. legal, policy, institutional) to attract investments
in forestry
Are economic instruments and other incentives being
implemented to encourage SFM?
• If yes, give the name of each economic instrument/
incentive, a brief description and explanation of how it
is used, and the main institution(s) and mechanism(s)responsible for its implementation
Existence of a forest fund to support SFM (natural forests,
planted forest). Specify the yearly amount and major use
Notes• Incentives to encourage SFM include financial instruments such as national/bilateral/multilateral aid/financing/
grants/loans/subsidies; financial guarantees; differential/preferential interest rates; tax reductions; and transfer/compensation payments. They also include other kinds of economic incentives, such as capacity development;
market commitment; preferred market access; market recognition (e.g. forest certification); risk mitigation; value
adding; recognition and/or restitution of use (tenure/traditional) rights; and gains in efficiency and/or effectiveness.

Criterion 1: Enabling conditions for sustainable forest management. Photo: ENEF Mbalmayo

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Criterion 2: Extent and condition of forests
SFM is a long-term enterprise that depends on the stability and security of the PFE. This criterion lays thefoundation for SFM within a well-planned distribution of production and protection forests. It considers theextent and percentage of land under natural and planted forests and the wider context of land-use planning,
the need for the conservation of biodiversity and soil and water protection through the maintenance of arange of forest types, and the integrity and condition of forest resources.

Extent and condition of forests: indicators 2.1–2.10
Indicator 2.1
Extent and percentage of total land area undercomprehensive land-use plans

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Description/title of land-use plan

Total area (ha)Comments

Notes• Provide the area and percentage of the total land area under comprehensive land-use plans; specify the areaclassified as PFE in the land-use plan.
• Describe the processes for undertaking land-use/landscape planning.
• Indicate new trends in land-use planning.

Indicator 2.2
Extent and area of forests committed
to production and protection

National level
National level
7

FMU level
FMU level
33

Landscape levelLandscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Committed to:
Wood(and non-wood forest
product) production (ha)Forest protection (ha)Natural forest*- PFE- Non-PFE
Planted forest*- PFE- Non-PFE
Area of PFE with boundaries physically demarcatedNotes• * Countries lacking a PFE should complete the non-PFE row.
• Indicate the reference year and source.
• Indicate the area of privately held forest in the PFE.
• Indicate the extent and boundaries of the PFE that are uniquely identified, registered and formally recognized.

26

Indicator 2.3
Extent and area of planted forests by type of use

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Committed to:
Wood(and non-wood forest product)
production (ha)Forest protection(ha)Planted forest- Soil and water protection
Area of PFE with boundaries physically demarcatedNotes• Indicate the reference year and source.
• Indicate the area of privately held forest in the PFE.
• Indicate the extent and boundaries of the PFE that are uniquely identified, registered and formally recognized.

Indicator 2.4
Extent and percentage of total land area undereach forest type

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Forest type

Total

Total forest (ha)%Part of PFE (ha)Part of non-PFE (ha)

100

Notes
• Describe the forest (ecological) type classification used. Include azonal (non-climax) forest types(e.g. mangroves, swamp forests, limestone forests, saline forests).
• Classifications of forest types based on species composition are more useful than those basedon forest structure.

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Indicator 2.5
Extent and area of forest by type of ownership

Nationallevel
National
level
7 7

FMU
FMUlevel
level
33
33

LandscapeLandscape level
level
77

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Committed to:
Wood(and non-wood forest
product) production (ha)Forest protection (ha)Natural forest- National public- Private (corporate entity)- Private (natural person)- Community
Planted forest- National public- Private (corporate entity)- Private (natural person)- Community
Notes• Indicate the reference year and source.
• Indicate the area of planted forest by type of ownership.
• Indicate the extent and boundaries of the PFE that are uniquely identified, registered and formally recognized.

Indicator 2.6
Extent and area of production forests undermultiyear forest management plans

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Total forest(ha)

PFE (ha)Non-PFE(ha)

Production forests: natural forests and natural regeneration
forests, including protected areas in production forests- Number of management plans- Area (ha)Production forests: planted forests- Number of management plans- Area (ha)Describe the effectiveness of implementation of forest
management plans. How is implementation monitored?

[Textual response]

Notes• Management plans include multiyear multipurpose forest management plans to manage forest products andenvironmental services in natural forest areas and forest management plans in planted forests for any purpose.
• Indicate the year(s) to which data apply.

28

Indicator 2.7
Extent and area of protection forests undermultiyear forest management plans

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Total forest(ha)

PFE (ha)Non-PFE(ha)Protection forests: natural forests and natural regeneration
forests, including protected areas in production forests- Number of management plans- Area (ha)Protected forests(including for soil, water and biodiversity)- Number of management plans- Area (ha)- Purpose of protection
Describe the effectiveness of implementation of forest
management plans. How is implementation monitored?

[Textual response]

Notes• Management plans include multiyear multipurpose forest management plans to manage forest products andenvironmental services in natural forest areas and forest management plans in planted forests for any purpose.
• Indicate the year(s) to which data apply.

Indicator 2.8
Forest area under compliance schemes. Forest
area in compliance with certification systems

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Total forest(ha)

Comments

Forest management certification- Natural forests, including naturalregeneration forests- Planted forests
Other legality assurance system(s)[please specify]

Notes• See definitions of “natural” and “planted” forests in Annex 2 of ITTO (2016).
• Natural forest may include assisted natural regeneration, including the second generation of initially planted trees.
• Specify the forest management certification schemes in place.
• Indicate the year(s) to which data apply.

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Indicator 2.9
Change in forest area

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level
33

Total forest(ha)

PFE (ha)Non-PFE(ha)

Proposed monitoring and reporting format

Forest area legally converted to agriculture sinceprevious report [please give year span]
Forest area legally converted to settlements andinfrastructure since previous report [please give year span]
Forest area legally converted for other purposes [please
specify] since previous report [please give year span]
Area legally converted to forests since previous report[please give year span]
Estimated forest area deforested illegally sinceprevious report [please give year span]
Forest area added since previous report[please give year span]:- Planted forest (afforestation)- Natural regrowth (as available)
Notes• Differentiate, if possible, between PFE and non-PFE.
• To the extent possible, the period for which change is reported should immediately follow the period coveredin the previous report.

Indicator 2.10
Periodic change in forest carbon stock

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level
7

Carbon stock intotal forest area(’000 tonnes)

Carbon stockin PFE(’000 tonnes)

Carbon stockin non-PFE(’000 tonnes)

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Reference year:
Aboveground
BelowgroundAll five carbon pools
Indicate the area of “total forest” (ha)Describe the method of measurement/formula applied
Notes• The five carbon pools in forests are: 1) aboveground biomass; 2) belowground biomass; 3) dead wood;4) litter; and 5) soil organic matter.

30

Criterion 2: Extent and condition of forests. Photo: A. Walmsley/TRAFFIC

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Criterion 3: Forest ecosystem health and resilience
Natural tropical forests and planted forests can be affected by a variety of human actions, such as
encroachment, illegal harvesting, human-induced fire, pollution and contamination, animal grazing, mining,poaching, invasive species and the spread of pests. Forests are also affected by natural phenomena, suchas extreme weather events (e.g. severe winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and drought), wildfire, and pests anddiseases. SFM requires attention to forest health, which may include restoring vulnerable and degraded
forests and taking measures to increase the resilience of forest ecosystems.

Addressing threats to, and vulnerabilities of, forests: indicators 3.1–3.9
There is concern in tropical countries about the impacts of climate change and climate variability on forest
health. Approaches are needed to monitor the threats to, and vulnerability of, forest ecosystems. Specificmanagement practices may be required to monitor damage, keep abreast of emerging threats, and determine
when interventions are necessary.
Indicator 3.1
Threats to forests caused directly by humanactivities

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level
33

Area ofcontrol (ha)Estimated
effectivenessProposed monitoring and reporting format
List the five major direct human threats on forests (in particular in the PFE)
Direct human threats
on forests

Area affected(ha)Control
procedures

1
2
3
4
5
Describe the extent and nature of forest encroachment,
degradation and disturbance caused by humans and thecontrol procedures applied
List the invasive species observed in forests, identify the
species of greatest concern, and indicate the measures
undertaken to control invasive species
Notes• If appropriate, indicate the institutions responsible for implementing control procedures.
• In “estimated effectiveness”, list constraints in implementing control procedures and any proposed
improvements.

32

Indicator 3.2
Area and percentage of deforested forest landby type of human activity

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Total forest(ha)

PFE (ha)Non-PFE(ha)

Natural production forests: natural forests andnatural regeneration forests, including protectedareas in production forests- Number of management plans- Area (ha)Natural protection forests:- Number of management plans- Area (ha)Planted forests for production(including for timber, construction timber and woodfuel)- Number of management plans- Area (ha)- Purpose of protection
Planted forests for protection(including for soil, water and biodiversity)- Number of management plans- Area (ha)- Purpose of protection
Notes• Management plans include multiyear multipurpose forest management plans to manage forest products andenvironmental services in natural forest areas and forest management plans in planted forests for any purpose.
• Indicate the year(s) to which data apply.

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Indicator 3.3
Area and percentage of degraded land by typeof human activity

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Total forest(ha)

PFE (ha)Non-PFE(ha)

Natural production forests: natural forests andnatural regeneration forests, including protectedareas in production forests- Number of management plans- Area (ha)Artificial production forests: planted forests- Number of management plans- Area (ha)Protection forests(including for soil, water and biodiversity)- Number of management plans- Area (ha)- Purpose of protection
Describe the effectiveness of implementation of forest
management plans. How is implementation monitored?

[Textual response]

Notes• Management plans include multiyear multipurpose forest management plans to manage forest products andenvironmental services in natural forest areas and forest management plans in planted forests for any purpose.
• Indicate the year(s) to which data apply.

Indicator 3.4
Mechanisms for controlling deforestation anddegradation at the national and subnational levels

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
List the five most important forest restoration mechanisms
Major natural
disturbances

Area affected(ha)Control procedures

Area of control(ha)

Estimated
effectiveness

1
2
3
4
5
Describe the listed natural and artificial
restoration mechanisms and corrective
measures taken to strengthen forest resilience
to biotic and abiotic stress[Textual response]

Describe the measures taken to strengthen
the capacity of forest managers for addressing
new and emerging issues in connection with
forest health and resilience[Textual response]

Notes• Indicate the extent and nature of restoration and disturbances of natural origin, and the control procedures applied.
• Indicate the institutions responsible for implementing control procedures.
• List constraints in implementing control procedures and any proposed improvements.

34

Indicator 3.5
Vulnerability of forests to natural disturbances—forest area disturbed by natural causes

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
List the five most important natural disturbances that make forests vulnerable
Major natural
disturbances

Area affected(ha)Control procedures

Area of control(ha)

Estimated
effectiveness

1
2
3
4
5
Describe the causes of listed natural disturbances [Textual response]and corrective measures taken to reduce forest
vulnerability to biotic and abiotic stressors
Describe the measures taken to strengthen
the capacity of forest managers to address
new and emerging issues in connection with
forest health and resilience[Textual response]

Notes• Indicate the extent and nature of degradation and disturbances of natural origin and the control procedures applied.
• Indicate the institutions responsible for implementing control procedures.
• List constraints in implementing control procedures and any proposed improvements.

Indicator 3.6
Existence of a multisectoral consultation
framework on climate change that includes forests

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
List the institutions responsible for stakeholder
participation in land-use management planning
Describe the processes of stakeholder participation,
indicating the parties involved and their levels of
involvement
Describe the approaches followed for integrating noninvolved stakeholders and updating them about decisions
made and actions undertaken
Describe the approaches followed for consensus-building
and decision-making where consensus is lacking
Describe any improvements proposed and constraints
to their introduction
Notes• List the institutions responsible for stakeholder participation in land-use management planning at the landscapescale (for small countries, this may also be the national level).

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

35

Indicator 3.7
Existence of strategies for combating climatechange at the national and subnational levels

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
List the institutions responsible for developing strategies
for combating climate change
Describe the processes of stakeholder participation in
strategy development, indicating the parties involved
and their levels of involvement
Describe the process for validating and disseminating
the strategies to ensure its ownership by all relevant
stakeholders
Notes• List the institutions responsible for stakeholder participation in strategy development at the landscape scale(for small countries, this may also be the national level).

Indicator 3.8
Funding and implementation of strategies
for combating climate change

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
List the institutions involved in funding the strategies
for combating climate change
Describe the processes for ensuring consistency between
the parties involved and their levels of involvement
Describe any improvements proposed and any constraints
to their introduction
Notes• List the institutions responsible for stakeholder participation in funding the development of the strategies forcombating climate change at the landscape scale (for small countries, this may also be the national level).

Indicator 3.9
Monitoring of climate-change impacts on forests

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
List the institutions responsible for monitoring theimpacts of climate change
Describe the processes and methods used for monitoring,indicating the parties involved and their levels of involvement
Describe any improvements proposed and constraints
to their introduction
Notes• List the institutions responsible for monitoring the impacts of climate change at the landscape scale(for small countries, this may also be the national level).

36

Restoration of degraded forests and lands: indicators 3.10–3.13
Forest landscape restoration (FLR) is an emerging approach that encourages the involvement of
stakeholders in all affected land-use sectors as well as participatory decision-making. The objective of FLR
is to restore degraded landscapes to a healthy and productive state in order to fulfil the needs of people
and the environment in a sustainable fashion. FLR makes use of collaborative approaches to harmonize
the land-use decisions of stakeholders with the aims of restoring ecological integrity, forest resilience andeconomic productivity and enhancing the socioeconomic development of local communities.
Indicator 3.10
Existence of strategies for restoring forest
landscapes, in line with local needs

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Yes/NoComments

Have there been efforts to assess the degree of forest degradation
at the landscape level and to identify restoration opportunities?
Has a baseline study been conducted to assess the causesof degradation?
Are field-level FLR activities being conducted? If yes, pleaseindicate the area involved and describe the measures taken
Are local stakeholders involved in the development of restoration
strategies and their implementation? If yes, please describesuch involvement
Are local stakeholders involved in the participatory monitoring oflandscape restoration activities?
Has a national/subnational forest restoration strategy/planbeen formulated?
• If yes, is the strategy/plan being implemented?
– If yes, what is the scale and timeframe of the effort, andwhat percentage of area has been restored in recent(e.g. previous three) years?

Indicator 3.11
Multistakeholder initiatives implemented
for forest landscape restoration[Textual response]

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Yes/NoIs there a consultation framework at the level of key stakeholders
in a given landscape to discuss issues related to degradation andrestoration approaches?
Is there a schedule of regular meetings which is shared andknown by all stakeholders?
Do stakeholders contribute to the funding of exchanges
according to their size and capacity?
Are visits held to share success stories in the field of restoration?
If yes, please describe the nature of such involvement

Comments

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

37

Indicator 3.12
Mechanism for monitoring changes in areaof degraded forest land

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Yes/NoComments

Are there institutions responsible for monitoring the areaof degraded forest land?
Are periodic reports on degraded land monitoring produced
and consolidated at the landscape level?

Indicator 3.13
Area of formerly degraded forest or forest land
restoredNational level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Area (ha)Comments

Total area restored (three-year period)[please indicate applicable years]
Total area restored through natural regeneration/combination ofenrichment (three-year period) [please indicate applicable years]
Total area restored through plantations, including in agroforestry
systems (three-year period) [please indicate applicable years]
Are visits held to share success stories in the field of restoration?
If yes, please describe the nature of such involvement
Notes• Where possible, indicate the area of forest land restored with planted forests and woodlots, the area offorest land restored though (assisted) natural regeneration, the area of degraded forest restored throughsilvicultural practices, the area of land restored with agroforestry systems, and the area of land restoredwith improved fallows.

Criterion 3: Forest ecosystem health and resilience. Photo: DGFRN, Benin

38

Criterion 4: Forest production
This criterion addresses the objective of maintaining the multiple functions of forests and their capacity todeliver products and environmental services. Such functions and capacity can only be sustained in the longterm if forest management is economically and financially viable, environmentally sound and socially acceptable.
Forests earmarked for timber production are able to fulfil a number of other important functions, such asenvironmental protection, carbon storage and the conservation of species and ecosystems. These multiple
roles should be safeguarded by the application of sound management practices that maintain the potentialof the forest resource to yield the full range of benefits to society.

Resources assessment: indicators 4.1–4.5
Forest resource assessments carried out periodically are vital for ensuring the sustainable production offorest goods and environmental services for society. They provide information not only on the quantities
of wood and non-wood products that may be harvested sustainably but also on other forest values andhow those might change over time.

Indicator 4.1
Extent and percentage of inventoried natural
production forests, by type of product

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Area inventoried[please give reference year]

PFE
ha

Non-PFE (ha)
%

ha

%

Timber (industrial roundwood)
Other wood (locally used, woodfuel)Non-wood forest products
Total inventoried area
Notes
• Indicate the extent and percentage of forest for which inventory and survey procedures have been used
to determine the quantity of the main forest products (e.g. wood, fibre, gums, saps, food animals and plants,
and medicines).

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

39

Indicator 4.2
Actual and allowable harvest of wood andnon-wood products in natural forests

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Total forest area
(i.e. PFE + non-PFE)

PFE

Number
Top fiveof species species
harvested harvested,by volume
Timber(industrial roundwood)

Other wood(e.g. locally used; woodfuel)Non-wood forest products[please specify]

AnnualactualharvestNon-PFE
Annualallowable
harvestAnnualactualharvestAnnualallowable
harvest

1

m3

m3

m3

m3

2

m3

m3

m3

m3

3

m3

m3

m3

m3

4

m

3

m

3

m

3

m3

5

m3

m3

m3

m3

1

m3

m3

m3

m3

2

m3

m3

m3

m3

3

m

3

m

3

m

3

m3

4

m3

m3

m3

m3

5

m3

m3

m3

m3

1

kg

kg

kg

kg

2

kg

kg

kg

kg

3

kg

kg

kg

kg

4

kg

kg

kg

kg

5

kg

kg

kg

kg

Notes
• Indicate average harvesting levels for the most recent three-year period for which data are available(give the source of the data and the unit of measurement).
• Describe the method for estimating the annual allowable cut for industrial roundwood.

Indicator 4.3
Inventories in planted production forests,
by product

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Area inventoried[please give reference year]

PFE
ha

Non-PFE (ha)
%

ha

%

Timber (industrial roundwood)
Other wood (e.g. locally used; woodfuel)Non-wood forest products
Total area inventoried
Notes• Indicate the extent and percentage of forest for which inventory and survey procedures have been used
to determine the quantity of the main forest products (e.g. wood, fibre, gums, saps, food animals and plants,
and medicines).

40

Indicator 4.4
Actual harvest of wood and non-wood products
in planted forests

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Total annual plantedforest harvest
Timber(industrial roundwood)

Other wood(e.g. locally used; woodfuel)Non-wood forest products

List the top five species harvested (by volume orweight) for each category, and actual annual harvest

m3

m3

kg

1

m3

2

m3

3

m3

4

m3

5

m3

1

m3

2

m3

3

m3

4

m3

5

m3

1

kg

2

kg

3

kg

4

kg

5

kg

Notes
• Indicate the reported average harvest levels over the latest three-year period, together with the source of the data.

Indicator 4.5
Periodic change in forest carbon stock

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Forest area(ha)

Tonnesof carbon
committed

Timeframe(years)Forest carbon stocks conserved through the sustainable
management of natural forests and forest conservation
Restoring degraded carbon stocks through the enrichmentof degraded forests and guided natural restoration
Creating new carbon stocks through afforestation andreforestation in non-forested areas
Notes• Include all forest-related climate-change mitigation programmes, such as REDD+, forest national
appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs), nationally determined contributions, Clean Development
Mechanism Afforestation/Reforestation.
• Where possible, distinguish on the basis of the currently applied REDD+ strategy.

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

41

Harvesting planning and control procedures: indicators 4.6–4.14
Harvesting planning procedures in natural forests should enable good technical control, provide safe andhealthy working conditions, minimize costs, and reduce environmental impacts. Sound and effective harvest
planning procedures will help ensure that forest investments yield adequate financial, economic and social
returns while minimizing environmental damage.
Indicator 4.6
Area of concessions in natural production forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Natural forest harvesting
contracts [please indicate
reference year]

Total
number ofcontracts

Total area
contracted(ha)

Smallest/
largest area
contracted(ha)Durationof contract(years)Annualallowable
harvestand areaof harvest(m3; ha)Annualactualharvest(volumeand area)(m3; ha)Long-term private
concessions
Long-term community
concessions
Medium-term logging
concessions/contracts
Short-term logging permits(area-based)
Short-term logging permits(volume- based)
Other[please specify]
Notes• Specify the main terms of the various natural forest harvesting contracts in place.
• Indicate the share of harvesting contracts operating under multiyear forest management plans.
• Indicate the share of other official harvesting permits (small-, medium- and large-scale permits) operating
without forest management plans.

42

Indicator 4.7
Area of planted production forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Planted forest harvesting
contracts [please indicate
reference year]

Total
number ofcontracts

Total area
contracted(ha)

Smallest/
largest area
contracted(ha)Durationof contract(years)Annualallowable
harvestand areaof harvest(m3; ha)Annualactualharvest(volumeand area)(m3; ha)Long-term private
concessions
Long-term community
concessions
Medium-term logging
concessions/contracts
Short-term logging permits(area-based)
Short-term logging permits(volume-based)
Other[please specify]
Notes• Specify the main terms of the various planted forest harvesting contracts in place.
• Indicate the share of harvesting contracts operating under multiyear forest management plans.
• Indicate the share of other official harvesting permits (small-, medium- and large-scale permits) operating
without forest management plans.

Indicator 4.8
Annual area of planned harvesting in natural
production forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Natural forest harvesting
contracts [please indicate
reference year]

Total
number ofcontracts

Total area
contracted(ha)

Smallest/
largest area
contracted(ha)Durationof contract(years)Annualallowable
harvestand areaof harvest(m3; ha)Annualactualharvest(volumeand area)(m3; ha)Long-term private
concessions
Long-term community
concessions
Medium-term logging
concessions/contracts
Short-term logging permits(area-based)
Short-term logging permits(volume-based)
Other[please specify]
Notes• Specify the main terms of the various natural forest harvesting contracts currently in place.
• Indicate the share of harvesting contracts operating under multiyear forest management plans.
• Indicate the share of other official harvesting permits (small-, medium- and large-scale permits) operating
without forest management plans.

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

43

Indicator 4.9
Annual area of planned harvesting in planted
production forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Planted forest harvesting
contracts [please indicate
reference year]

Total
number ofcontracts

Total area
contracted(ha)

Smallest/
largest area
contracted(ha)Durationof contract(years)Annualallowable
harvestand areaof harvest(m3; ha)Annualactualharvest(volumeand area)(m3; ha)Long-term private
concessions
Long-term community
concessions
Medium-term logging
or thinning concessions/contracts
Short-term logging
or thinning permits(area-based)
Short-term logging permits(volume-based)
Other[please specify]
Notes• Specify the main terms of the various planted forest harvesting contracts in place.
• Indicate the share of logging/thinning contracts operating under multiyear forest management plans.
• Indicate the share of other official logging/thinning permits (small-, medium- and large-scale permits)
operating without forest management plans.

Indicator 4.10
Annual harvested area in natural production forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Natural forest harvesting
contracts [please indicate
reference year]

Total
number ofcontracts

Total area
contracted(ha)

Smallest/
largest area
contracted(ha)Durationof contract(years)Annualallowable
harvestand areaof harvest(m3; ha)Annualactualharvest(volumeand area)(m3; ha)Long-term private
concessions
Long-term community
concessions
Medium-term logging
concessions/contracts
Short-term logging permits(area-based)
Short-term logging permits(volume-based)
Other[please specify]
Notes• Specify the main terms of the various natural forest harvesting contracts in place.
• Indicate the share of harvesting contracts operating under multiyear forest management plans.
• Indicate the share of other official harvesting permits (small-, medium- and large-scale permits) operating
without forest management plans.

44

Indicator 4.11
Annual harvested area in planted production forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Planted forest harvesting
contracts [please indicate
reference year]

Total
number ofcontracts

Total area
contracted(ha)

Smallest/
largest area
contracted(ha)Durationof contract(years)Annualallowable
harvestand areaof harvest(m3; ha)Annualactualharvest(volumeand area)(m3; ha)Long-term private
concessions
Long-term community
concessions
Medium-term logging
concessions/contracts
Short-term logging permits(area-based)
Short-term logging
or thinning permits(volume-based)
Other[please specify]
Notes• Specify the main terms of the various planted forest harvesting contracts in place.
• Indicate the share of harvesting contracts operating under multiyear forest management plans.
• Indicate the share of other official harvesting permits (small-, medium- and large-scale permits) operating
without forest management plans.

Indicator 4.12
Forest product tracking systems or similar
control mechanisms

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Type of tracking

System in place[Yes/No]

Responsible
institution(s)Comments(e.g. scale ofapplication, efficiency)

Log tracking (from stump
to processing unit)
Wood tracking (from processing
unit to port/end-user)
Tracking of other forest products(e.g. wild meat, wildlife, charcoal,other non-wood forest products)[please specify]
Notes• In comments, describe the type(s) of system, and implementation (e.g. responsible parties, scope and scale).

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

45

Indicator 4.13
Tracking systems in compliance withcertification systems

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
FSC

PEFC

Type of tracking

Other legality
and tracking
systems

Log tracking (from stump to processing unit) according
to forest certification system
Wood tracking (from processing unit to port/end-user)
according to forest certification system
Tracking of other forest products (e.g. wild meat, wildlife, charcoal,other non-wood forest products) according to forest certification
system [please specify]
Notes• In comments, describe the type(s) of system, and implementation (e.g. responsible parties, scope and scale).

Indicator 4.14
Existence of systems for monitoring
and archiving forest management data

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level3

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Natural forests

Planted forests

Describe the availability of historical records on the extent, natureand management of forests (nationally, subnationally, locally)
Do archives of forest data (e.g. growth, yield, health and uses)
exist, and are they accessible for forest planning and management?
Have permanent sample plots been established? If yes,
specify when they were established and the year of mostrecent re-measurement
Notes• In many countries, records exist of historical forest trials and measurements of the growth of tree species,
as well as of harvesting and silvicultural practices in natural and planted forests. Such records have often
been neglected, but they could be valuable sources of information on the long-term behaviour and growthof tree species and forest stands.

46

Silviculture in natural and planted forests: indicators 4.15–4.18
The provision of clear silvicultural guidelines helps ensure that all forest operations are carried out according
to high standards. In natural forests, these may encompass harvesting inventories as a means for establishingsustainable cutting levels (for wood and non-wood forest products), inventories for assessing the conditionof forests after harvesting, and the types of silvicultural treatments required to ensure adequate regenerationand long-term forest health. Guidance is also needed to reduce forest damage caused by harvesting, as
well as on silviculture in planted forests, forest restoration, and procedures for the monitoring and evaluationof management practices.
Indicator 4.15
Uptake and implementation of reduced impact
harvesting principles

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level3

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Natural forests

Planted forests

Describe existing harvesting systems and guidelines,
and the extent to which they are being implemented
Describe existing silvicultural systems and guidelines,
and the extent to which they are being implemented
Indicate the extent to which reduced impact harvesting andsilvicultural treatments are being monitored, including by whomand at what geographical scale
Indicate the extent to which monitoring data are being archived
to allow the evaluation of the cumulative effects of harvesting
systems and silvicultural treatments over time
Describe post-harvesting surveys to assess the effectivenessof harvesting and silvicultural activities to enhance forest stands
and tree regeneration establishment and the monitoring ofsilvicultural treatments
Notes• A silvicultural system is a process by which forest trees are tended, removed and replaced by new trees.
Silviculture comprises all operations used in manipulating forest stands, including harvesting operations

Indicator 4.16
Silvicultural systems in natural production forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Silvicultural issues in natural forests

Indicate the approaches taken

Selective thinning techniques used in natural forests
Liana cutting methods and techniques used before logging
Enrichment planting in gaps and depleted areas
Notes• Defining the specific silvicultural and operational treatments for natural forest management is important,whether it is for productive or protective functions, or a combination of these.

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47

Indicator 4.17
Silvicultural management in planted forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Silvicultural issues in planted forests

Indicate the approaches taken

Species selection for planted forests (e.g. whether local
species, introduced species, including consideration ofinvasive species, source of planting materials)
Use of biotechnology and genetic modification of species
Selection of the silvicultural treatment and maintenanceof planting sites beyond first rotation
Control of pests and diseases (e.g. use of herbicides,
pesticides, fungicides and other chemicals)
Use of fertilizers (nursery, afforestation sites)
Fire control
Water management in planted forest landscapes
Notes• Defining the specific silvicultural and operational treatments for planted forest management is important,whether it is for productive or protective functions, or a combination of these.

48

Indicator 4.18
Monitoring of silvicultural systems in naturaand planted forests

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level3

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Describe the system in place for strategically monitoring
the impacts of harvesting and the implementation of thesilvicultural system
Silvicultural system at FMU level

Total area per year (ha)Natural production forest (PFE) (natural forest timber
concessions, licences, community harvesting, non-woodforest product harvesting)– Area over which yield control is applied– Area over which pre-harvesting operations are applied– Area over which post-harvesting operations are applied– Area over which silvicultural treatments to induceor assist natural regeneration are applied– Area over which enrichment planting [please specify
main species] is performed
Describe the system in place for strategically monitoring
the impacts of harvesting and the implementation of thesilvicultural system
Silvicultural system at FMU level

Total area per year (ha)Planted forest (PFE) (Industrial plantations producing
timber/fibre/woodfuel; community plantations; protectiveplanting)– Tending and thinning in monospecific plantations[please specify main species used]– Tending and thinning in multispecies plantations[please specify mix of species used]– Replacement of forest stand after harvesting[please indicate the % of replacement]
Notes• Strategic monitoring provides data on the long-term effects of forest operations so that potential problems canbe identified and resolved. To guide silvicultural decisions, a simple assessment method (diagnostic sampling)
can be applied at the FMU level to determine the need for specific treatment.
• Indicate the reference year.
• Common treatments to induce or assist natural regeneration include tending natural regeneration, soil
scarification, prescribed burning, the liberation of future crop trees, thinning, liana cutting and enrichment planting.

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

49

Criterion 4: Forest production. Photo: Kennedy Owusu Afriyie

50

Criterion 5: Forest biological diversity
This criterion relates to the conservation and maintenance of biodiversity, including ecosystem, species andgenetic diversity, with an emphasis on biodiversity conservation in production forests and at the landscapescale. The ITTO/IUCN Guidelines for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Tropical Timber
Production Forests (ITTO/IUCN 2009) are designed to support the monitoring of biodiversity in forest landscapes.
The general principles and definitions used here are those established by the Convention on Biological
Diversity and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Ecosystem diversity: indicators 5.1–5.3
The conservation of ecosystem diversity can best be accomplished by maintaining functional landscapesand through the establishment and management of a system of protected areas (combinations of IUCN
categories I–VI) containing representative samples of all forest types linked as far as possible by biologicalcorridors or stepping stones. This can be ensured by effective land-use policies and systems for choosing,establishing and maintaining the integrity of protected areas in consultation with and through the
involvement of local communities.
Indicator 5.1
Number and area of terrestrial protected areas,by type

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
IUCN protected-area category

a. Forest protected areas
Total

I–II

III–IV

V, VI

Number of protected areas (not necessarily forested;
excluding sea)
Range in size (smallest to largest protected area; ha)Area of forest in protected areas (ha)Area of ecological forest types represented in protectedareas [please specify]
Ecological forest types considered to beunderrepresented in protected areas [please specify][Textual response]b. Forest conservation concessions
If not included in (a), indicate the number and areaof forest conservation concessions, and their status
and duration
Notes• The area of forest in protected areas constitutes the protection PFE.
• Forest conservation concessions are areas within production forests allocated to conservation organizations
for conservation purposes (and in which wood production is excluded). Although formally production forests,
such areas should be reported here as protected areas, albeit only for the period of the leases.

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

51

Indicator 5.2
Forest extent in protected areas

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
IUCN protected-area category (ha)a. Forest protected areas
Total

I–II

III–IV

V, VI

Number of protected areas (not necessarily forested;
excluding sea)
Range in size (smallest to largest protected area; ha)Area of forest in protected areas (ha)Area of ecological forest types represented in protectedareas [please specify]
Ecological forest types considered to beunderrepresented in protected areas [please specify][Textual response]b. Forest conservation concessions
If not included in (a), indicate the number and areaof forest conservation concessions, and their status
and duration
Notes• The area of forest in protected areas constitutes the protection PFE.
• Forest conservation concessions are areas within production forests allocated to conservation organizations
for conservation purposes (and in which wood production is excluded). Although formally production forests,
such areas should be reported here as protected areas, albeit only for the period of the leases.

Indicator 5.3
Existence of operational mechanisms for the
management of buffer zones and connectivityof forest protected areas

National level
33

FMU level3

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
IUCN category

Areas of bufferzone managed(ha)

Number of forested
protected areas
connected

I–II
III–IV
V–VI
Describe the national or subnational strategy for ensuring(or increasing) connectivity between forested protected areas

Description

Landscape level7

52Species diversity: indicators 5.4–5.7
In strategies for preventing species from becoming rare, threatened, endangered or extinct, it is importantto have national/subnational procedures for monitoring and protecting species diversity. Emphasis should
be given to the monitoring of key tree species in production forests.
Indicator 5.4
Threatened forest-dependent plant andwildlife species

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level
7

Endemic

List the three mostimportant species(keystone species)

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Forest-dependent
species group

Total numberof species

Of which:Threatened

Legally protected
at national level

Trees
Flowering plants
Ferns
Mammals
Birds
ReptilesAmphibians
Freshwater fish
Butterflies
Others [please specify]
Notes• Indicate sources.
• “Threatened” includes vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List.

Indicator 5.5
Existence of strategies for conserving plant
species diversity in natural tropical forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Comment on whether there have been declines in populationsof key tree species (e.g. high-value commercial species)
List the major commercial tree species (wood and non-woodforest products) for which conservation status has changedin the last five years
Describe measures (in FMUs) for analyzing the conservation
status of tree species and interventions (e.g. age anddiameter-class distribution of key species)
List the tree species in each Appendix of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES)
Describe the measures undertaken to maintain species
diversity at the FMU level, in particular the most commonlyused wood and non-wood product species
Describe procedures undertaken to maintain the stock ofmajor wood and multipurpose tree species in natural forests
Indicate the type and area (ha) of in situ conservation offorest tree species nationally
Notes• Describe procedures to identify, list and protect recover/restore threatened species of forest flora and fauna.
• List the institutions responsible and describe any recent changes in the procedures.

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

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Indicator 5.6
Existence of strategies for conserving wildlife
species diversity in natural tropical forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Comment on whether there have been declines in populationsof key wildlife species (e.g. high-value special species)
List the major commercial wildlife species (for fur, feathers,
horns, scales and teeth) for which conservation status haschanged in the last five years
Describe measures (in FMUs) for analyzing the conservation
status of wildlife species and interventions (e.g. protection of
habitats, various methods of surveillance)
List the wildlife species in each CITES Appendix
Describe the measures undertaken to maintain species
diversity at the FMU level, in particular the most commonly
hunted and traded species
Describe the procedures undertaken to maintain the stockof major multipurpose wildlife species in natural forests
Indicate the type and area (ha) of in situ conservationof wildlife species nationally
Notes• Describe the procedures to identify, list and protect recover/restore threatened species of fauna.
• List the institutions responsible and describe any recent changes in the procedures.

Indicator 5.7
Implementation of ecological monitoringin protected areas

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Comments
Wildlife species identified to serve as indicator species
for the conservation of genetic variation
Plans and projects in place to ensure the in situ and ex situ
conservation of the genetic variation of key species of flora andfauna [please specify the species]
Notes• Conserving genetic diversity within tree species with potential economic, environmental, scientific or societal
value is essential for ensuring continued ecosystem productivity and health and the capacity of species toadapt to climate change and other environmental change.

54

Genetic diversity: indicator 5.8
Biodiversity conservation involves maintaining the genetic diversity of all species of fauna and flora. Thismay be difficult to ensure in practice, and it is appropriate to focus limited resources on species that are
threatened or that have identified commercial value.
Indicator 5.8
In situ conservation of genetic variation within
specified forest tree species

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Comments
Forest tree species identified to serve as indicator species
for the conservation of genetic variation
Plans and projects in place to ensure the in situ and ex situ
conservation of the genetic variation of key species of floraand fauna [please specify the species]
Notes• Conserving genetic diversity within tree species with potential economic, environmental, scientific or societal
value is essential for ensuring continued ecosystem productivity and health and the capacity of species toadapt to climate change and other environmental change.

Biodiversity conservation in production forests: indicators 5.9 and 5.10
Management measures in production forests can make important contributions to biodiversity conservation(for example, logging intensity is directly related to the presence or absence of birds and other seed
distributors), which should be fully integrated into forest management plans and harvesting plans.
Indicator 5.9
Biodiversity conservation measures in natural
production forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Total area (ha)% of total

Area set aside for biodiversity conservation in natural
production forests (FMU level)
Measures for retaining undisturbed areas (FMU level)[Textual response]

Procedures for protecting ecologically important features(e.g. nesting sites, seed trees, niches and keystone species)[Textual response]

Procedures for protecting particular tree species and other plants
for local livelihood needs, cultural values, food security, etc.

[Textual response]

Average volume of wood harvested (FMU level)[m3 per ha per year]

Notes• In textual responses, indicate the effectiveness of the procedures being monitored.
• In textual responses, indicate procedures for assessing changes in biodiversity values in production areas
compared with control areas.

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

55

Indicator 5.10
Biodiversity conservation measuresin planted forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Averageannual area(ha)Year span

Area of planted forest established(three-year average [please specify])
Afforestation: planted forest on non-forested land(not replacing natural forest habitats)
Reforestation: planted forest on previously forested sites(e.g. degraded forest and forest land)
Planted forests established using native tree species
Describe measures undertaken to conserve native faunaand flora in planted forest landscapes*[Textual response]

Notes• E.g. Keeping natural sites along waterways, creating biological corridors or stepping stones.

Criterion 5: Forest biological diversity. Photo: Intu Boedhihartono

Main species
used

56

Criterion 6: Soil and water protection
This criterion addresses the crucial landscape-scale role of forests in maintaining downstream water quality
and flow and controlling flooding and sedimentation. It also pertains to maintaining the productivity and qualityof soil and water within forests (and associated aquatic ecosystems) and therefore forest health and condition.
Information on the effects of forest management on soil and water is difficult to obtain and is seldom available
for more than a limited number of sites. Valid national indicators should be derived from the aggregation ofdata from indicators at the landscape and FMU levels, or from the existence and adequate enforcement of
national guidelines in conformity with local conditions.

Extent of protection: indicators 6.1–6.3
An essential element of multipurpose forest management is the landscape-scale maintenance of downstream
benefits, such as water quality and flow and reductions in flooding and sedimentation.
Indicator 6.1
Forest area managed primarily for the protectionof soil and water

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Area (ha)%Forest area (natural and planted, PFE and non-PFE) managed
primarily for the protection of soil and water
Forest area (natural and planted, PFE and non-PFE) managed
for other protection purposes [please specify purposes]
Notes• Collect national or subnational data.
• Other protection purposes might include cultural heritage sites, belts around industrial complexes,
military sites, etc.
• For each specific purpose, indicate the responsible agencies (e.g. forest agency, environmental agency,
water agency, mining agency).

Indicator 6.2
Implementation of measures for protecting
downstream catchment values at thelandscape level

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Describe the procedures in place in both the PFE and the nonPFE to ensure the protection of downstream catchment values,
and the extent to which such procedures are being implemented
Describe the extent to which forests are integrated into nationaland regional disaster risk management
Notes• Trees and forests play fundamental roles in disaster risk management, such as by sustaining water supplies,
protecting soils and reducing the impacts of natural hazards such as floods and landslides.

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

57

Indicator 6.3
Existence of operational mechanisms for
involving land-use stakeholders in soil andwater protection

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Describe the procedures in place in both the PFE and thenon-PFE to ensure the involvement of land-use stakeholders
in soil and water protection
Describe the efficiency of implemented measures and theirreplicability
Notes• Trees and forests play fundamental roles in disaster risk management, such as by sustaining water supplies,
protecting soils and reducing the impacts of natural hazards such as floods and landslides.

Protective functions in production forests: indicators 6.4–6.7
As an integrative part of multipurpose forest management, it is important to ensure effective soil and water
management as a way of maintaining the productivity and health of forests and their hydrological regulation
functions.
Indicator 6.4
Mechanisms implemented for preventing soil
and water degradation in production forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Describe the procedures in place to protect soil productivity
and retain water in production forests
Describe the extent to which provisions are being applied
to prevent the degradation of forest soils and water

Indicator 6.5
Area of production PFE consideredenvironmentally sensitive and protected

National level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Area defined as environmentally sensitive(and therefore protected) due to:
Slope/elevation[please specify parameters—e.g. >X%]
Drinking water sources
Buffer strips (e.g. along water courses)
Poor drainage
Other characteristics [please specify]

Area (ha)% of production PFE

Comments

58

Indicator 6.6
Mechanisms implemented for preventing
soil and water degradation in the PFE

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
In production PFE:a) Indicate the measures required to ensure adequate water
management (drainage) during and after wood harvestingb) Indicate requirements for buffer strips along streams and riversc) Indicate the measures required to minimize soil compactionby harvesting machineryd) Indicate the measures required to protect soil from erosion
after harvesting operationse) Indicate the measures in place to ensure the implementationof a–dNotes• Are the measures being implemented? Is their effectiveness being monitored? At what geographical scale?

Indicator 6.7
Area managed for protecting soil and water
quality in non-PFE

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Area defined as environmentally sensitive(and therefore protected) due to:

Area (ha)Slope/elevation[please specify parameters—e.g. >X%]
Drinking water sources
Buffer strips (e.g. along water courses)
Poor drainage
Other characteristics [please specify]

Criterion 6: Soil and water protection. Photo: Intu Boedhihartono% of production PFE

Comments

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

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Criterion 7: Economic, social and cultural aspects
This criterion deals with the economic, social and cultural aspects of forests. A well-managed forest is aself-renewing resource that produces a host of benefits for people. For example, forests provide
opportunities for recreation and ecotourism and generate employment and investment in processing
industries. Sustainably managed forests, therefore, can make important contributions to the overallsustainable development of countries.

Economic aspects: indicators 7.1–7.6
The economic challenge for forest management is to make SFM a profitable activity that is attractive toinvestors and competitive with other land uses. A viable forest products industry is likely to be an essential
element in addressing this challenge.
Indicator 7.1
Contribution of the forest sector to national
economies

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level3

Total gross domestic
product (GDP; USD)

% of forest-sector
contribution to GDP

Proposed monitoring and reporting format

Reference year [please specify here]
Reference year minus five years [please specify here]
Indicate which economic activities are counted under “forest
sector”[Textual response]

Indicate the extent to which the informal forest sector
contributes to GDP[Textual response]

Describe the national/subnational environmental accounting
system in place (if any)

[Textual response]

Indicator 7.2
Contribution of the forest sector to employment

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level3

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Direct employment
Reference year [please specify here]
Reference year minus five years [please specify here]
Indicate the number of forestry jobs in the public sector
Indicate the number of forestry jobs in the private sector
Indicate the number of forestry jobs in civil-society
organizations, including both national and international

Indirect employment

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Indicator 7.3
Volume of wood production by product category

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Markets (USD or local currency; if the latter,
please indicate the exchange rate for USD)
Domestic market(rural/urban)

Export market

Informal domestic/transboundary

Timber products
Woodfuel
Non-wood forest products
Other [please specify]
Notes• Indicate reference year for data.
• Values for timber products should be the sums of primary and secondary products (including wood furniture);
indicate which products are included.

Indicator 7.4
Volume of non-wood forest production

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Markets (USD or local currency; if the latter,
please indicate the exchange rate for USD)
Domestic market(rural/urban)
Non-wood forest products
Water
Carbon (USD or local currency— please specify—
per tonne carbon dioxide)
Ecotourism/recreation (entry fees, etc.)
Other [please specify]
Notes• Indicate reference year for data.

Export market

Informal domestic/transboundary

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

61

Indicator 7.5
Value of forest products and environmental
services

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Markets (USD or local currency; if the latter,
please indicate the exchange rate for USD)
Domestic
market(rural/urban)

Export market

Informal domestic/transboundary

Timber products
Woodfuel
Non-wood forest products
Water
Carbon (USD or local currency— please specify—per
tonne carbon dioxide)
Ecotourism/recreation (entry fees, etc.)
Other [please specify]
Notes• Indicate reference year for data.
• Values for timber products should be the sums of primary and secondary products (including wood furniture);
indicate which products are included.

Indicator 7.6
Processing rate of wood and non-woodforest products

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level3

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Forest product processing stage
Roundwood (forest to mill)

No. ofcompanies

Industrial Conversion
rate (%)
roundwoodintake (m3)n/aNo. of full-time
equivalent
employees(formal)n/aPrimary wood processing
Secondary wood processing
Tertiary wood processing

n/a

n/a

Industrial non-wood forest product processing[please specify products]

n/a

n/a

Continuity of supply of wood and non-wood
products[Textual response]

Notes• Industrial roundwood intake includes roundwood from domestic production and imported roundwood processedin the country—it is the total volume of roundwood processed in mills (not the volume of harvested wood).
• Conversion rate is the ratio of output volume to input volume, expressed as a percentage.

62

Social and cultural aspects: indicators 7.7–7.14
SFM should recognize and aim to meet social and cultural needs as they relate to forests including by
ensuring the provision of education, employment and safe working conditions. Forest management
decisions should consider the livelihood needs of forest-dependent people. SFM should be participatory
and inclusive, and the costs and benefits should be shared equitably among involved parties.
Indicator 7.7
Existence of procedures for assessing thesocial and environmental impacts of activities
affecting forests

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level3

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Describe the procedures in place in both the PFE and non-PFE
to assess the social and environmental impacts of activities
affecting forests
Describe the extent to which forestry activities have an impact
on the environment and human societies
Notes• Trees and forests play fundamental roles in disaster risk management, such as by sustaining water supplies,
protecting soils and reducing the impacts of natural hazards such as floods and landslides.

Indicator 7.8
Implementation of environmental and social
management plans

National level
33

FMU level3

Landscape level3

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Describe the procedures in place in both the PFE and non-PFE
for the implementation and monitoring of environmental andsocial management plans
Describe the extent to which recommendations included inmanagement plans are taken into account by forest managers
to mitigate the impacts of work
Notes
• Trees and forests play fundamental roles in disaster risk management, such as by sustaining water supplies,
protecting soils and reducing the impacts of natural hazards such as floods and landslides.

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

63

Indicator 7.9
Capacity building of the workforce inforest management and forest industry

National level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
The number and main focus of universities, technical institutions,vocational training and other professional schools with formal
programmes on SFM
Existing capacity for training and support using appropriatetechnology, including through technology transfer, for SFM and theefficient use and marketing of wood and non-wood forest products
and environmental services [please describe and quantify]
Number of people graduated (tertiary, technical andvocational) from forest-related courses in the last three years[please specify years]
Percentage of graduates (tertiary, technical and vocational)of forest-related courses in the previous three years obtaining
employment in the forest sector [please specify years]
Number of graduates from professional training programmes
for forest managers, previous three years [please specify years]
Other training courses not included above (e.g. capacity
development programmes for small and medium-sized forest
enterprises)

FMU level3

Landscape level3

64

Indicator 7.10
Procedures to ensure the health and safetyof forest workers

National level
3

FMU level
33

Landscape level
7

National level (Yes/No)

FMU level (Yes/No)

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Existence and implementation of policies addressing:• Elimination or control of risks in forest management operations• Provision of safe work methods and procedures• Procedures for ensuring maximum safety of machineryand handling of chemicals, etc.
• Use of safety gear and provision of workforce training
on workplace health and safety• Proper compensation for employees in case of accidents,
injuries and damage during the performance of duties
What mechanisms are in place nationally/subnationallyto ensure the health and safety of forest workers?

[Textual response]

To what extent are such mechanisms being implemented?
Please identify any constraints[Textual response]

Are such mechanisms in conformity with the International
Labour Organization’s Convention No. 169?

[Yes/No]The number of serious accidents in forest management
operations over the past three years, by cause:
Cause 1 [please specify here]
Cause 2 [please specify here]
Cause 3 [please specify here]
Cause 4 [please specify here]

No. of deaths

No. of serious injuries

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Indicator 7.11
Mechanisms for the equitable sharing of
the costs and benefits of forest management

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Policies in place for:

Yes/NoComments• The equitable treatment of stakeholders inactivities related to the use and managementof forests• Providing opportunities to be employed
under comparable conditions to thosein other economic sectors• The sharing of profits obtained by forest
companies and investors through forest use
with local communities and other stakeholders• Providing forest landowners or rights-holders(e.g. government, private, community)with opportunities to receive fair returns
for forest use
Mechanisms in place for the distribution of[Textual response]
incentives and the fair and equitable sharingof costs and benefits among stakeholders[please comment on whether such mechanisms
are being implemented, the obstacles to theirimplementation, and any proposed
improvements]

Indicator 7.12
Mechanisms for resolving forest managementrelated disputes between forest stakeholders

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Matters that may be taken into account:

Yes/No• The availability of effective mechanisms forcommunication and the resolution of conflicts
between interested parties• The extent to which stakeholders have aneffective voice in decisions related to forest
management, including consideration ofgender equity• Early consultation on major new decisions toinvest in forest management, in both naturaland planted forests[Textual response]• Mechanisms for conflict resolution, theextent to which they are being implemented,
and any obstacles to implementation

Comments

66

Indicator 7.13
Livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples
and local communities in PFE forests

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Forest-dependent people (FMU level)

No. female

No. male

Total

Number of people in the FMU practising mainly
subsistence farming
Proportion of forest-dependent people who have
lived in the FMU for more than one generation (%)
Forest area for subsistence and traditional use:

Forest area (ha)Comments• In informal areas within existing FMUs
[please specify land uses and measures
for managing overlapping land uses]• On land reserved for livelihood activities—e.g.
Indigenous Peoples’ reserves, community
forests, other reserved areas [please specify
whether in or adjacent to FMUs]

Indicator 7.14
Forests reserved for specific cultural, researchand educational purposes

National level
33

FMU level
7

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Extent of forest area assigned to specific uses
Archaeological sites in the forests
Cultural sites in forests
Sacred forests (as defined in the country)
Forests for recreation, local tourism andperi-urban uses
Other [please specify]

No. of forests

Area (ha)Protection status

ITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

Local community and Indigenous Peoples’ rights and participation in forest
management: indicators 7.15–7.19
Community participation is vital at all levels of forest operations to ensure transparency and accountability
in forest management, conservation and development and that all interests and concerns are taken into
account. Forest agencies, forest owners and concessionaires must be willing and able to adapt their
behaviour in light of such participation.
Indicator 7.15
Respect for user rights of Indigenous Peoples
and local communities over PFE forests

National level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Area (ha)Comments

Area of publicly owned forest for which the tenure and user
rights of Indigenous Peoples and other communities arerecognized and practised
Estimated area of PFE or FMU with recognized tenure anduse rights for Indigenous Peoples and other local communities
Procedures for resolving disputes over the forest-related rights
of Indigenous Peoples and other local communities[Textual response]

Notes• Describe any constraints and proposals for improvements.

Indicator 7.16
Mechanisms for involving Indigenous Peoples
and local communities in forest management

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level33

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Indicate the extent of involvement of Indigenous Peoples, local
communities and other forest dwellers in forest management
capacity building, consultation processes, decision-making
and implementation
Describe the legislative and other efforts in place for achieving
gender equity in forest management planning and implementation,in particular to enable the participation of indigenous and otherlocal women

Indicator 7.17
Area of forests managed by Indigenous
Peoples and/or local communities for timberand non-timber production

National level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Indicate the area of forests managed by communities and/orIndigenous Peoples for timber production
Indicate the area of forests managed by communities and/orIndigenous Peoples for the production and harvesting of
non-wood forest products
Describe the efforts made by local people to prevent theendangerment or loss of harvested resources

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Indicator 7.18
Involvement of Indigenous Peoples andlocal communities in forest management

National level
7

FMU level
33

Landscape level
33

FMU level
33

Landscape level7

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Indicate the extent to which Indigenous Peoples and local
communities are involved in forest management planningand implementation and the constraints to greater integration

Indicator 7.19
Recognition of the forest management
knowledge and skills of local communities
and Indigenous People

National level3

Proposed monitoring and reporting format
Indicate the extent to which indigenous and traditional forestrelated knowledge and practices are integrated into forest
management planning and implementation, and the constraints
to greater integration

Criterion 7: Economic, social and cultural aspects. Photo: MALEBIITTO CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AFRICAN TROPICAL FORESTS

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ITTO criteria and indicators for the sustainable management of African forests

ITTO pioneered the development and use of criteria andindicators (C&I) to monitor, assess and report on tropicalforests in the early 1990s, and the most recent version of the
globally applicable ITTO C&I was published in 2016. African
member countries, who benefited from an ITTO-funded regional
C&I capacity-building programme conducted between 2000 and2010, requested support to develop a set of C&I for Africa,
focusing on lessons learned under that programme and thespecific needs and characteristics of African forests. Thispublication is the result.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT

26

ITTO
ITTO criteria and indicators
for the sustainable managementof African tropical forests

Policy Development Series 26

International Tropical Timber Organization