EU Research And Monitoring Projects Related To Forests

1. Introduction

EU research activities in the field of forests are numerous. Finding out which projects are ongoing, the funds available to support them, and the link between various research programmes and monitoring systems, is not an easy task. This briefing note aims at giving a brief description of the main EU research and monitoring activities related to forests - and thereby to make the blurred picture just a little bit clearer. This briefing note does not cover all EU research and monitoring activities.

The main actors in EU forestry research are: DGXII (research, science and development), DGVI (agriculture), DGXI (environment), and the Joint Research Centre (the Commission's common research centre located at Ispra, Italy).

2. Monitoring projects

2.1 Monitoring European forests for atmospheric pollution

Background:
In 1986 the Council adopted a Regulation establishing a Community scheme on "the protection of forests against atmospheric pollution"ⁱ. However, the scheme consists of more monitoring than protection. Two levels of activity exist under this scheme. Level I aims at establishing a periodic inventory of damage caused to forests, especially by atmospheric pollution. In 1992 the Council extended the scheme with an intensive monitoring programme ⁱⁱ (level II) to analyse the impact of air pollution on forest eco-systems ⁱⁱⁱ. The results of the monitoring activities are shown by means of Technical Reports and an Annual Executive Report ^iv. The activities going on under this regulation are mainly operated by DGVI.

Budget and duration:
The Regulation from 1986 has been amended several times, latest on July 18 1997 ^v. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the monitoring scheme is ECU 40 M for the period 1997 to 2001.

2.2 "European Forestry Information and Communication System" (EFICS)

Background:
EFICS was established by a Council Regulation in 1989 ^vi. The objective of EFICS is to collect, co-ordinate, standardise and process data concerning the forestry sector and its development, in order to, among other things, facilitate the implementation of measures in favour of the forestry sector under existing Community policies. Until now the measures undertaken by the Community have mainly focused on analysing the reliability and comparability of the data obtained from Member States. Data has been collected which relates to forestry resources, products, ownership structures, and means for implementing forestry policies in the Member States.

Budget and duration:
The Regulation establishing EFICS expired on 31 December 1997. A new Regulation has been proposed to extend the first Regulation by five years (1998 to 2002) ^vii. DG VI is the responsible institution. The reference amount for implementing the system is ECU 3.9 M for the period 1989-2002. The funds were under-used (ECU 600 000) during 1989-97, so ECU 3.3 M remain.

2.3 Forest Information from Remote Sensing (FIRS) project

Background:
FIRS was launched in 1994 and is operated by the Joint Research Centre (JRC). DGVI and DG I are also involved. Its major objective is to contribute to the development of EFICS by developing methods for providing both production-related and ecology-related forest information, eg remote sensing techniques. The FIRS project can be seen as providing a 'tool box' for EFICS. FIRS is also serving the Temperate and Boreal Forest Resource Assessment 2000 project of the FAO. Due to budget difficulties FIRS has emerged more as a co-ordination project and less as a research project than originally planned. In contrast with TREES and FIRE (described below), FIRS is a strictly European project (covering all European countries).

Budget and duration:
FIRS consists of many different projects. Each project has its own budget. Six projects are ongoing with a total budget of approximately ECU 2.9 M ^viii.

2.4 Monitoring Tropical Forests from space - "TREES"

Background:
TREES was set up in 1990 by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Space Agency (ESA). TREES aims to collect information from satellites on tropical forests on a global scale. TREES is unique in the sense that it allows all tropical forests to be analysed in the same way. Previously, maps were built up from a wide variety of projects, making comparisons between areas and years difficult. All data collected has been put into an integrated geographic information system - the Tropical Forest Information System. TREES is furthermore collaborating with the FAO's global Forest Resource Assessment 2000 programme. TREES is directed by DGXI.

Budget and duration:
The financial reference amount for 1997 and 1998 was ECU 2. 2 M per year. TREES I ran from 1990-1994. TREES II started in 1995 and is scheduled to run to at least to the end of 1999.

2.5 Fire in global Resource and Environmental monitoring - FIRE

Background:
FIRE was initiated in 1994 by the Joint Research Centre. The reason for FIRE is the lack of information and documentation about global biomass burning patterns (forest fires, savannah fires, burning of fuel wood, charcoal production, etc). Economic and ecological consequences of burning are extremely diverse. FIRE uses similar techniques to TREES and FIRS (remote sensing via satellites), and the unit responsible for FIRE at JRC is also taking part in TREES. Furthermore, the information collected by FIRE is an integrated part of the Tropical Forest Information System, as it collects information on a global scale.

Budget and duration:
FIRS is expected to run a few years more until it is fully operative and can be taken over by another institution. It will not be possible to estimate the budget available until then.

3. Forest research by DG XII

DGXII (science, research and development) is an important actor within the Commission as regards funding related to non-European forest research activities. Research funded through DGXII differs from that funded by the development budget lines in DG IB (external relations with Latin America and Asia) and DGVIII (development) in that it is meant to be fundamental rather than applied.

Since 1983 four Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development (RTD) have funded a large number of tropical forestry research projects. However, like with forest monitoring projects, there is no overall strategy relating to tropical ^ix forest research.

The Fourth Framework programme for RTD was adopted in April 1994 for five years (1994-98) with a budget of ECU 1.3 billion ^x. The programme operated by DGXII covers several activities. Relevant to tropical forests especially are:

a) scientific and technological cooperation in Europe
b) co-operation with non-European industrialised third countries
c) scientific and technological co-operation with developing countries, also known as INCO-DC.

3.1 Scientific and technological cooperation with developing Countries (INCO-DC)

Background:
INCO-DC is the successor of three activities ^xi targeting developing countries. The thematic content of INCO-DC is considerably broader than previous programmes dealing with research cooperation with developing countries. It covers four sectors ^xii:
(a) Sustainable management of renewable natural resources (policy research; research on basic natural resources, research on ecosystems).
(b) Sustainable improvement of agricultural and agro-industrial production.
(c) Health
(d) Additional sectors of mutual interest (eg information, non-nuclear energy, biotechnology).

Budget and duration:
Each of the four sectors is allocated a budget ^xiii. INCO-DC has a 4-year budget (1994-98) of ECU 209 M. There is no budget specifically earmarked for activities related to tropical forests. The share received by forest research depends therefore on the number and quality of the proposals the Commission receives. It is estimated that around 10 % of the total budget is being spend on forestry projects ^xiv.

3.2 "European Tropical Forest Research network" (ETFRN):

ETFRN is the other main activity related to tropical forests research funded by DGXII through the Fourth Framework Programme.

Objectives:
ETFRN was established in 1991 by DGXII with the following objectives:

(a) encourage EU scientific cooperation;

(b) stimulate research partnership between EU and developing countries;

(c) collect and exchange information (eg via a newsletter, homepage ^xv)

ETFRN works through national research institutions all over Europe. A co-ordination unit is located in the Netherlands. This unit serves as a useful contact point for Southern institutions searching information or seeking to collaborate with European partners in joint research.

Budget:
It is important to note that ETFRN does not fund other research projects, but aims at providing a network for research. It is funded through the 'additional sectors of mutual interest' (see above) under INCO-DC. The three-year budget for the period of 1997-1999 is ECU 600 000.

Contacts:
1) FIRE: Mr. Grégoire, FIRS: Sten Folving (Sten.folving@jrc.it), TREES: Frederic Achard, JRC 0039322 78 91 11
2) Contacts DGXII:Charles Kessler 295 61 12; Marianne Braun 295 7824 (docu. centre) DGXI: Pierre Hamoir 29 63 691 (budget), Michelle Lemasson (DGVI)- 29 59 512

What is Fern?

Fern is an NGO created by the World Rainforest Movement. Fern advocates changes in EU activities in order to achieve:

• Conservation and sustainable management of forests,
• Respect for the rights of forest peoples,
• Greater transparency in EU aid to tropical forest countries.

Fern briefing notes aim to inform NGOs, MEPs and European Commission officials about key forest related issues.

Fern Contacts

Saskia Ozinga,
Fern/WRM
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UK - GL 56 9NQ
Tel: 44 1608 652 895
Fax: 44 1608 652 878
Saskia@gn.apc.org

Chantal Marijnissen & Susan,
Fern
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Brussels
Belgium
Tel: 32 2 742 24 36
Fax: 32 2 736 80 54
Fern@arcadis.be