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This paper investigates how efforts to set up monitoring and indicator systems for the multiple benefits of REDD+ can benefit from and/or support the relevant work that has already been initiated or completed under the Rio Conventions. The analysis shows that there is a significant amount of overlap between the subjects addressed by existing or emerging monitoring activities under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the UNFCCC, and the types of data that countries might wish to obtain in order to track the multiple benefits of REDD+. At the same time, due to the differences in mandate and focus of the various processes, there are also discrepancies with regard to the design of indicators and methods for data collection. However, there is still clearly a high potential for mutual support between current work on monitoring under the Rio Conventions and any new schemes to be set up within the context of REDD+. These opportunities should be used to enable a more efficient and coherent implementation of multilateral environmental agreements.

This paper investigates how efforts to set up monitoring and indicator systems for the multiple benefits of REDD+ can benefit from and/or support the relevant work that has already been initiated or completed under the Rio Conventions. The analysis shows that there is a significant amount of overlap between the subjects addressed by existing or emerging monitoring activities under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the UNFCCC, and the types of data that countries might wish to obtain in order to track the multiple benefits of REDD+. At the same time, due to the differences in mandate and focus of the various processes, there are also discrepancies with regard to the design of indicators and methods for data collection. However, there is still clearly a high potential for mutual support between current work on monitoring under the Rio Conventions and any new schemes to be set up within the context of REDD+. These opportunities should be used to enable a more efficient and coherent implementation of multilateral environmental agreements.

There is a growing belief that the carbon stocks of natural, biodiverse forests are likely to be more resilient to climate change than those of planted, less diverse forests (e.g. Fischer et al. 2006; Bodin and Wiman 2007). Resilience in this context means that forests can resist and or recover from the negative effects of climate change. Resistance and recovery will differ between forests for various reasons. This review examines the role of biodiversity and related factors in carbon stock resilience.

There is a growing belief that the carbon stocks of natural, biodiverse forests are likely to be more resilient to climate change than those of planted, less diverse forests (e.g. Fischer et al. 2006; Bodin and Wiman 2007). Resilience in this context means that forests can resist and or recover from the negative effects of climate change. Resistance and recovery will differ between forests for various reasons. This review examines the role of biodiversity and related factors in carbon stock resilience.

prepared for the ADF VII - October 2010

prepared for the ADF VII - October 2010

Efforts related to REDD+ in Bolivia are a component of the overall national strategy on forests and climate change. A UN-REDD Programme mission to Bolivia in 2010 identified a widespread enthusiasm for incorporating consideration of the ecosystem-derived multiple benefits of REDD+ into decision making. Stakeholders highlighted the existence of relevant work and datasets on biodiversity, ecosystem services and other factors that have been produced by many different players. They felt that overview of existing datasets would help to clarify what data exists and is held by whom, and so enhance collaboration and reduce the potential for duplicating effort. This metadata directory has been collated to address this need. It offers an initial overview of existing datasets relevant to REDD+ and multiple benefits, along with the appropriate and available metadata. The directory includes the information that was accessible on each dataset, its format and the methods used to generate it, as well as on its current location and custodian. It is annotated with suggestions of potential uses for each dataset in the context of decision making for REDD+. The directory has been populated through dialogues with stakeholders contacted during the mission, metadata received from colleagues in Bolivia and additional research by UNEP-WCMC. The metadata directory still contains gaps, and additions or corrections are very welcome; please contact ccb@unep-wcmc.org with your suggestions. Access to this type of metadata is a first essential step to providing appropriate information to support decision making. We hope that it facilitates effective collaborations among stakeholders on important new analyses to help safeguard and enhance the ecosystem-derived benefits of REDD+.

Efforts related to REDD+ in Bolivia are a component of the overall national strategy on forests and climate change. A UN-REDD Programme mission to Bolivia in 2010 identified a widespread enthusiasm for incorporating consideration of the ecosystem-derived multiple benefits of REDD+ into decision making. Stakeholders highlighted the existence of relevant work and datasets on biodiversity, ecosystem services and other factors that have been produced by many different players. They felt that overview of existing datasets would help to clarify what data exists and is held by whom, and so enhance collaboration and reduce the potential for duplicating effort. This metadata directory has been collated to address this need. It offers an initial overview of existing datasets relevant to REDD+ and multiple benefits, along with the appropriate and available metadata. The directory includes the information that was accessible on each dataset, its format and the methods used to generate it, as well as on its current location and custodian. It is annotated with suggestions of potential uses for each dataset in the context of decision making for REDD+. The directory has been populated through dialogues with stakeholders contacted during the mission, metadata received from colleagues in Bolivia and additional research by UNEP-WCMC. The metadata directory still contains gaps, and additions or corrections are very welcome; please contact ccb@unep-wcmc.org with your suggestions. Access to this type of metadata is a first essential step to providing appropriate information to support decision making. We hope that it facilitates effective collaborations among stakeholders on important new analyses to help safeguard and enhance the ecosystem-derived benefits of REDD+.

Presentation by Pierre Yves Guedez at the Latin America and the Caribbean Workshop on FPIC and recourse mechanism, organized by the UN-REDD Programme in October 2010.