Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as the threshold in
the canopy cover that is selected by each country and if it falls below this threshold
it is termed as deforestation.
7.2
Deforestation Data by FAO
FAO has published the deforestation report of different countries which by far is
the only dependable source of data in this area. The organizations of researchers
that use this data report that this data is taken and defined differently by different
countries of the world (Demirbas
2009a
,
b
).
7.3
Different Techniques Used by Different Countries
The developed and underdeveloped countries produce different results with better
and more reliable results produced by the developed countries with latest and ac-
curate equipment for the purpose. For example satellites and better survey analy-
sis methods are used. The results of underdeveloped countries are not so reliable
because of out-dated and less accurate techniques. The data submitted to FAO
by different countries depends upon different methods of data estimation, differ-
ent techniques and different area coverage per analysis. Also different parameters
and definitions are presumed by different countries on deforestation so the overall
data and comparison remains distorted and uneven. It is very difficult to verify
techniques and double check the data from different countries on deforestation
(Demirbas
2009a
,
b
).
7.4
Dilemma of Developing Countries
The scenario of developing countries is even worse when it comes to taking data
on deforestation. These countries, due to lack of resources, use outdated means
and methods of land classification and are also not very well characterized and de-
pendable. Thus the interpretation on the available data gives relatively false results.
Around 11.8 million ha per year was the land subjected to deforestation between
2000-2005 worldwide, 80 % of the deforested area is in tropical areas of America
and Africa. Three prominent biofuel producing countries have shown increased
rates in deforestation which include Brazil, Indonesia and Argentina.
