Press Release Detail

Forests are essential to the well-being of our planet. They serve as a source of food, shelter, and medicine for both humans and animals, and they play a crucial role in regulating the earth's climate by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 
However, with the growing global demand for wood, other forest products, and agriculture products (which lead to forest land conversion) due to the rising population and its demands, the world's forests are facing unprecedented pressure. This is a concerning issue as the forests are not only the habitat of countless species but also serve as carbon sinks, providing oxygen, and mitigating climate change.
In Fiji, the Ministry of Forestry recognises the importance of sustainable forest management and has taken steps to ensure that the country's forests are managed in a way that is both environmentally sustainable and economically viable.
One key aspect of sustainable forest management is the regular monitoring of forest resources through forest inventories. Forest inventories involve the systematic collection and analysis of data on the composition, structure, and productivity of forest ecosystems.
This information is then used to inform forest policy and management decisions, such as the annual sustainable allowable cut, when and where to conduct timber harvests, how to protect endangered species and habitats, and how to mitigate the impacts of climate change.  Additionally, Forest Inventories can be used to quantify compensation of standing trees only though equally important would be to have a valuation of the ecosystem services provided by that group of trees.
In Fiji, forest inventories have been conducted for many years, but requires regular update and improvement as well as reviewing standard operating procedures to improve standards and ensure continuous training to users of this tool. This standardisation of methodology is required to avoid inconsistencies in the data collected and analysis of the same, while comparing data from different regions or over time. 
To address this issue, the U.S Forest Service, through the Climate Fellows Programme, has offered technical assistance to the Ministry of Forestry to review, update, and standardise forest inventory methodologies in Fiji.
The two day workshop was to develop a Needs Assessment which will be followed later by theoretical and practical training workshops and then the development of these standard methodologies and their documentation for wider dissemination and awareness and understanding of all stakeholders on how forest resources are valued.

The workshop
The first step in this process was the Forest Inventory Needs Assessment Workshop, which took place in Suva from March 28 to 29, 2023. 
The workshop brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Forestry and its stakeholders such as Fiji Pine Ltd (FPL), Fiji Hardwood Corporation Ltd (FHCL), iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) and academics, among others, with expertise in forest inventory. 
The workshop aimed to identify current and future information needs that require forest inventory data, and to share inventory methodologies that have been or are currently used in Fiji.
Over the course of two days, participants in the workshop shared their experiences with forest inventories in Fiji and discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with collecting and analysing forest inventory data. 
They also identified a range of information needs that require forest inventory data, including the determination of timber volume and value, the assessment of forest health and productivity, and the monitoring of carbon stocks for climate change mitigation.
It also became clear that there was a strong consensus on the importance of conducting forest inventories to support sustainable forest management practices. Stakeholders emphasised that accurate data on the forest inventory was critical for effective decision-making, particularly when it came to planning and resource allocation.
There was also a recognition of the need to ensure that inventories are conducted in a standardised and transparent manner, with clear methodologies and guidelines in place. This would help to ensure that the data collected is reliable and can be compared across different regions and time periods, enabling better monitoring of changes in the forest ecosystem.
The participants also highlighted the need to improve communication and coordination between different stakeholders involved in forest inventories, including the Ministry of Forestry, FPL, FHCL, and academic institutions.
They recognised that collaboration and information-sharing would be essential in developing a comprehensive and effective forest inventory system that meets the needs of all stakeholders.
By conducting a comprehensive forest inventory and utilising standardised methodologies, the Ministry will be able to more accurately assess the extent and health of Fiji's forests, as well as monitor changes over time. This information is crucial for developing effective management strategies that balance economic development with environmental sustainability.
Improved data collection and analysis will also allow the Ministry to identify areas of high conservation value and prioritise their protection. This is particularly important in Fiji, where many forests are home to endangered species and provide critical ecosystem services such as water filtration and carbon storage.
Furthermore, standardised inventory methods will help the Ministry to better understand the economic value of Fiji's forests and to develop sustainable forest management practices that support the livelihoods of local communities while protecting the long-term health of the forests.

USFS’s involvement
The U.S Forest Service's involvement in the workshop is a significant milestone for Fiji's forestry sector. The agency has made available its experts in forest inventory design, who have worked in more than 20 countries around the world, to assist the Ministry of Forestry in this important endeavour. 
These experts bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, ensuring that the inventory methodologies developed for Fiji are of the highest standard and based on best practices from around the world.
This collaboration with the US Forest Service highlights the importance of international partnerships in advancing sustainable forestry practices and promoting the conservation of forest resources for future generations.
Following the workshop, the U.S Forest Service and the Ministry will collaborate to formalise a standard set of forest inventory methodologies for Fiji. This will involve developing documentation, including a general document on how to design and implement forest inventories, a field manual that outlines field data collection procedures, and guidance on how to analyse the data. They will also deliver technical training sessions covering all aspects of forest inventory from planning and sample design to field data collection and analysis.

Improving forest management 
Overall, the Forest Inventory Needs Assessment Workshop marks an important first step in the process of improving forest management in Fiji. By implementing standardised inventory methodologies and improving data collection and analysis, the Ministry of Forestry will be better equipped to balance the economic and environmental needs of the country and ensure that Fiji's forests remain healthy and productive for generations to come.
It is hoped that these efforts will result in improved data quality, greater transparency and accountability, and better decision-making in the management of Fiji's forest resources. With the threat of climate change looming large, there has never been a more important time to prioritise sustainable forest management practices, and the outcomes of this workshop represent a significant step forward in achieving this goal.