Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

http://www.fao.org/

FAO Strategy
Fishery Resources
Forest Resources
Land and Water
Remote Sensing
Statistics

FAO Strategy for observation, assessment and information

1. FAO is developing an Organizational Strategy that identifies five service areas as high priorities for the next 15 years. Among those, one of the five priorities is: Collection of information, monitoring, assessment and analysis of the global state of food and nutrition, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and promotion of a central place for food security on the international agenda.

2. This work area derives from the Basic Texts where the first function of the Organization is stated as:
The Organization shall collect, analyse, interpret and disseminate information relating to nutrition, food and agriculture. In this Constitution, the term "agriculture" and its derivatives include fisheries, marine products, forestry and primary forestry products.

3. FAO's role as a provider of services in the domain of assessments and analyses of trends, has been considered highly important to the global community. FAO's role in the maintenance of an accurate and accessible global set of data is also considered to be of central importance by its Member States.

4. In relation with the area of collection of information, three service goals are proposed, i.e.:

(i) Ensure that a global set of food and nutrition, agricultural, fishery and forestry data is (a) comprehensive and includes all pertinent data, through an inter-linked information system with a wide range of partners; (b) is reliable, accurate, current and consistent; and (c) is disseminated to all Members and accessible to the international community and the public at large.

(ii) Provide regular assessments and analyses of trends in food security and nutrition, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, natural resources and scientific knowledge, and draw the attention of the international community to areas needing action.

(iii) Maintain the focus on food security through monitoring implementation of the World Food Summit Plan of Action, global advocacy and inter-action with all partners, including in civil society.

5. FAO's Medium Term Plan for the period 2000-2006, derived from the Organizational Strategy, includes a programme on Environmental Geo-Information Infrastructure and Services. The objective, main components and anticipated outputs of the Programmes are as follows:

(a). Major objective : Continuous assistance in development and operational service of spatial environmental information infrastructure, including various databases of meta-data, satellite imagery, ground observations, cartographic and georeferenced information for food security and sustainable development in agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

(b). Main components of this programme are: environmental data acquisition and management; environmental data and information capacity and tool development; environmental information decision support systems development, analysis and dissemination; integrated use of geo-information for environmental monitoring, and natural resources assessment and management for food security and sustainable agriculture .

(c) Main outputs: harmonized ARTEMIS, AGROMET, GIS, AFRICOVER, ICAMS, GTOS databases in accessible formats for operational users and development programmes at global, regional and national levels; documented software tools and guidelines for handling, analysis and interpretation of georeferenced data; environmental information infrastructure (database, standards, models) for natural resources management, agricultural extension, research and land tenure; documented methodologies and guidelines and integrated and dynamic use of geo-information for environmental monitoring in support of sustainable agricultural development.

For the Global Terrestrial Observing System, an element will continue to be undertaken to deal with support to Global observing systems products and services to develop global in situ terrestrial observation networks, to use modelling to analyse issues such as biodiversity, climate change and desertification and the development of and maintenance of meta-databases.

Responsible Office/person
 Mr HE Changchui
 Chief, Environment and Natural Resources Service
 Research, Extension and Training Division
 Sustainable Development Department
 FAO
 Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
 00100 Rome, Italy
 Tel: +39 06 570 55583
 Fax: +39 06 570 53369
 E-mail: Changchui.He@fao.org

Date of preparation: January 1999

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Data for the Statistical Monitoring of World Fisheries is collected by annual questionnaires sent to national statistical offices. Regarding high seas (HS) databases, under an "Agreement to promote compliance with international conservation and management measures by fishing vessels on the high seas", FAO will gather and disseminate information relating to vessels authorized by their flag State to fish on the high seas. When a State becomes a Party to the Agreement, it has to submit information regarding all such vessels. Data will be submitted by each national authority through standard forms (paper or electronic) used for the submission of data by the Contracting Parties to FAO.

Data sources for the Statistical Monitoring of World Fisheries - national statistical offices; for HS databases - national authorities of the Contracting Parties.
 
 Data types gathered for Statistical Monitoring of World Fisheries - annual catch figures organized by country, species and fishing area; HS databases - data on authorized vessels (identifiers and descriptive information).
 
Coordination of data collection: Statistical Monitoring of World Fisheries - consistency checking mechanisms in cooperation with EEC-EUROSTAT, ICES, NAFO, ICCAS and other international bodies. The Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP) is the official FAO body responsible for coordination, standardization and harmonization of national and regional fishery statistics, as well as providing advice and recommendations for development research, analytical studies and follow-up action. HS databases - coordination with the national authorities of the Contracting Parties.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
Data screening/editing; use of alternative sources of information in the case of incomplete or unreliable data; use of statistical methods for inter- and extrapolating data; contacting the data sources for clarification; assisting in improving national data collection systems.

Assessment and Analysis
The statistical monitoring system is used for a variety of analytical and assessment purposes, such as formulation of catch trends; assessment of the state of fisheries in statistical areas; identification of patterns in the abundance of certain fish stocks; correlation of catch with fishing effort; relationship between fish production and trade of fishery products.

 In assessment and analysis, cooperation exists with other organisations.

Indicators
Databases for monitoring fishing vessels on the high seas (HS) under development; and regular statistical monitoring of catches in the national EEZs and continental waters (Statistical Monitoring of World Fisheries). Programme to develop sustainability indicators for fisheries in 1998.

Modelling

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms

Reports/Information dissemination

Dissemination for Statistical Monitoring of World Fisheries is by Fishery yearbooks, circulars and bulletins, computer software and data for use on micro-computers. Data on authorized vessels will be available for remote access by direct connection or electronic mail.

Users for Statistical Monitoring of World Fisheries are fishery administrators, managers and researchers; HS Databases access will be limited to the Contracting Parties.

Coordination of information dissemination uses the same channels as coordination of data collection, above.

Network Development and Support

Capacity-Building
a. Decision-makers use of information
Information provided for decision-makers from  Statistical Monitoring of World Fisheries by means of methodological notes and manuals; HS Databases - not applicable at present.

For Statistical Monitoring of World Fisheries this consists of training activities for development of data collection methods, including basics of applied fishery statistics, operational and methodological aspects of large-scale fishery surveys and elements of computer principles and use. Assistance in the development of infrastructure in national institutions responsible for collecting, processing, analyzing and disseminating fishery data and information. HS Databases - not applicable at present.

The existence of data gaps in the Statistical Monitoring of World Fisheries depends on the reliability and timeliness of the national statistics, the quality of which is, in turn, a function of the effectiveness of the national systems in use for data collection. Statistics of the major fishing countries are submitted on time and are reasonably complete. Problems have been observed with the fishery data from several developing countries and significant effort has been made to improve the national systems by means of direct technical advice and the formulation/implementation of projects involving statistical and data processing/information technology development.

Internet Access

http://www.fao.org/
 various current texts and statistics on agriculture, fisheries, forestry and sustainable development.
- Sustainable Development Dimensions page: http://www.fao.org/sd/

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
 Mr C.H. Newton
 Chief, Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Service
 FAO
 Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
 00100 Rome, Italy
 Tel: +39 06 570 56414
 Fax: +39 06 570 53152
 E-mail: chris.newton@fao.org

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation:  Updated  February 1998

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Data collection for industrialized countries is through questionnaires and country correspondents; for tropical and non-tropical countries through collection of reliable information, organized according to the model described above. Data sources are Governments, institutions. Data gathered consists of State of and change in forest cover, estimates of biomass, area of forest plantations.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
Methods of estimating ground woody biomass for the tropical zone, based on area breakdowns and corresponding information on biomass per hectare. In the industrialized countries, methodology development has been intensive in the last 20 years and many of those countries have now more accurate means of estimation, covering above- and below-ground woody biomass. Methods to assess quantitative indicators of tree species biodiversity are being developed.

Assessment and Analysis
Data collection, high resolution satellite data and GIS are used to check forest resources, deforestation, land-use cover.

Indicators

Modelling
A model for change assessment of forest resources, based on multidate information available in countries, to bring all existing information to common reference dates, 10 years apart, so that the difference can be derived. Methods for a sampling-based assessment for the entire tropical zone has been developed in which high-resolution satellite data from two dates, approx. 10 years apart, are interpreted and compared for change assessment. This produces change matrices showing the direction of land cover changes (source and destination) and helps in understanding the process of deforestation. As a further aid, analytical methods have been developed, using GIS, to assign deforestation to ecofloristic zones.

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms

Reports/Information dissemination

Dissemination via publication of results of forest resources assessment, and State of the World's Forests 1997.
Information is used by Governments, institutes, etc.

Capacity building to improve the availability of reliable forest resources information.

Network Development and Support

Capacity-Building
Training in interpretation of satellite data for regional and national institutions. Regional workshops and training sessions for national institutions.

Internet Access

http://www.fao.org/
 various current texts and statistics on agriculture, fisheries, forestry and sustainable development.
- Sustainable Development Dimensions page: http://www.fao.org/sd/

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Mr Jean-Paul Lanly
 Director, Forest Resources Division
 FAO
 Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
 00100 Rome, Italy
 Tel: +39 06 570 53574
 Fax: +39 06 570 53152
 E-mail: jeanpaul.lanly@fao.org

Date of preparation:  Updated February 1998

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Collection of data on soils, climate, crops, land use/land cover is by field survey and remote sensing. Data source is Governments and UN organizations.

Collection coordination is through data exchange and letters of agreement.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
 Harmonization of land classification systems.
 
Assessment and Analysis
Land/water resources appraisal, database development, land use planning, water research development, all in cooperation with other organisations.

Techniques used are the AEZ methods of land productivity assessment, GIS techniques, linear optimization methods.

Indicators

Modelling
Expansion of FAO's ago-ecological zoning methodology to include procedures for optimizing land resources use.

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems
ECOCROP, ECOZONE, K-2.

Early Warning Mechanisms

Reports/Information dissemination

Dissemination is via printed reports and digital form to Government institutions, universities, research centres and international institutions. The dissemination is coordinated through agreements. Metainventories exist.
 
Information use is promoted by development of user-oriented interfaces, workshops and seminars.

For decision-makers, there is promotion of information networks within and between countries.

Network Development and Support
Networks on soil productivity; soil conservation (Asia) managed.

Capacity-Building
Direct advice provided to government officials and other decision-makers.

Training in data colleection, assessment and transformation is provided by training workshops in land resources appraisal methodologies and GIS.

Data gaps require continuous updating and upgrading of databases and methodologies. Development of new applications.

Internet Access

 http://www.fao.org/
 various current texts and statistics on agriculture, fisheries, forestry and sustainable development.
- Sustainable Development Dimensions page: http://www.fao.org/sd/

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Mr R. Brinkman
 Chief, Soils Resources Management and Conservation Service
 FAO
 Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
 00100 Rome, Italy
 Tel: +39 06 570 53068
 Fax: +39 06 570 53152
 E-mail: robert.brinkman@fao.org

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation:  August 1994

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Data collection is via satellite, directly from countries, theWMO and governments. Agromet data, remote sensing data (satellite - airborne) gathered.
 Data collection coordination is by regular consultations and technical meetings, formal and informal contacts.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
Standardization is by geometric and rallimetric corrections of NOAA data; standardization of the use of agromet data; standardization of geo-references. Harmonization of classification standards for satellite data and legends is used.

Quality control is used when the particular objectives require it.

 GIS also used for various purposes; electronic areas, databases.

Assessment and Analysis
Areas are forests, rangelands, agricultural land cover and land use, desertification, land degradation, cooperating in all areas with UNESCO, World Bank, UNAP, UNACP, UNEP, WMO. Techniques used are remote sensing, GIS.

Indicators
Normalized difference vegetation index; agromet indicators.

Modelling
 For crop yield forecasting.

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms

Reports/Information dissemination

Dissemination is via satellite, telecom, e-mail, fax, surface mail to decision- makers, farmers, the donor community, and UN bodies. Information dissemination coordinated within the framework of national or regional relevant bodies, such as SACD, CILSS. No information brokers/filters used at present - perhaps useful if funds allow. Promotion of the use of this information is via working parties, training courses, sensitization of decision-makers.

Meta-information inventories exist.

There is a special series for decision-makers - maps and databases - CD ROM.

Network Development and Support
Networks managed are: Agromet, with WMO; GTOS, with UNEP-UNESCO-IGBP-DIS; ESA (NOAA/MRPT).
There is coordination with other networks, and interaction with AFTES and the Advisory Committee on Information on Environment, the World Bank.

Capacity-Building
Decision-makers are helped to use the information by the organization of training courses and dissemination of brochures. Training in data collection and transformation provided by on-the-job training courses within field projects.

Data gaps identified require basic cartography and databases - Africover project for Africa.

Internet Access

http://www.fao.org/
 various current texts and statistics on agriculture, fisheries, forestry and sustainable development.
- Sustainable Development Dimensions page: http://www.fao.org/sd/

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Mr Marc Bied Charreton
 Chief, Remote Sensing Centre,
 FAO
 Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
 00100 Rome Italy
 Tel: +39 06 570 55589
 Fax: +39 06 570 53152
 E-mail: marc.biedcharreton@fao.org

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation:  August 1994

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Data provided by the national statistics offices are compiled in the FAO databases through questionnaires and by electronic means. The data consist of demographic information, land use, inputs for agriculture, output, external trade and utilization of agricultural products and agricultural inputs. The coverage is worldwide but at national level only.
In the areas covered by other organizations there is regular dialogue to exchange and cross-check information, coordinatinf data collection.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
Standardization/harmonization of statistical information provided by countries, and quality control and calculation of indicators.
 
Assessment and Analysis
Food Security and Vulnerability Information Mapping System (FIVIMS), started after the World Food Summit in 1996, involving:
-preparing a general inventory of the nature, extent and functionality of national information systems;
-creating an internationally-held database on national food security and nutrition information databases;
-organising regional or subregional training workshops based on the FIVIMS guidelines and the sharing of national experiences on the development and use of FIVIMS-related information systems;
-supporting the design and implementation of pilot FIVIMS programmes in requesting countries;
-developing work programmes on cross-cutting thematic issues.

Indicators

Modelling

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems
Development of computer systems for data processing and dissemination.

Early Warning Mechanisms
Yes - for monitoring changes in food production, external trade and consumption.

Reports/Information dissemination

Information is disseminated through yearbooks, bulletins, floppy disks, CD ROM and on-line access.
Governments, universities, private companies and other international organizations.
To provide information for decision-makers, efforts are underway to develop integrated information systems at national and sub-national levels.

Network Development and Support

Capacity-Building
WAICENT Project information is gradually being made available to all types of users, particularly decision-makers. Training in data collection, assessment and transformation is via field activities with large training component in data collection and processing. The census programme and most field projects assist countries in building a capacity to collect, store, organize and use information on agriculture.

Data gaps require supplementing information provided by national offices from data coming from alternative sources to derive more comprehensive assessments.

Internet Access

http://www.fao.org/
 various current texts and statistics on agriculture, fisheries, forestry and sustainable development.
- Sustainable Development Dimensions page: http://www.fao.org/sd/

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Mr L. Odell Larson
 Officer-in-charge, Statistics Division
 FAO
 Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
 00100 Rome, Italy
 Tel: +39 06 570 53249
 Fax: +39 06 570 53152
 E-mail: odell.larson@fao.org

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation: August 1994, updated April 1998

ORGANIZATION: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)