CIFOR 1:

Threats to the extent and the quality of tropical forests, in most countries, arise from the action of small farmers, migrants and squatters, as well as the plantation sector and commercial logging. The policies, activities and practices within the logging and commercial timber sector are imperfect, but the greatest potential gains, - for both poverty alleviation and environmental conservation - are expected to come through policy, economic and institutional reforms outside the commercial timber sector, and frequently outside the forestry sector.

CIFOR 6:

It is clear that fragmentation-induced changes in abundance and species richness occur in many insect groups. However, the study of insects in fragmented forests is still in its infancy and lacks real direction. Simple empirical studies are not answering the questions we most want to answer about fragmented systems. What is the functional significance of the immense insect biodiversity? Does biodiversity loss affect ecosystem functioning? A more focused functional approach to the study of forest fragmentation is required to move beyond the description of pattern and to determine how change in insect communities affects ecosystem processes in fragmented forests.

CIFOR 8:

Although the average contribution of forests and forestry is 2%-3% of the gross national product of tropical developing countries, for many forest-rich countries the contribution is much higher. In Indonesia it is 6%, in Malaysia 7% and in some South American and African countries it is higher still. However, these figures conceal the fact that there are numerous contributions that forests make to human well-being, particularly for poor and rural people. In particular, several studies have suggested that the value of non-timber forest products may at times exceed the value of timber products in local economies. Despite this, these non-timber values are rarely recorded in any statistics.

CIFOR 9:

In recent years the importance of impact assessment activities has risen considerably within the CG system, with donors and in the wider scientific and development community. The demonstration of impact is rapidly becoming a requirement for CG centres, NARS and donors alike. Many organisations and institutions, including CIFOR, are incorporating impact assessment as a component of standard operational procedure.

To assist in the development of CIFOR's work in the field of Forestry Research through funding of four projects within the TAC approved research agenda.

CIFOR 1:

Research Activity: Extra-sectoral influences to tropical forests: The Cameroon case.

* assess and model the impacts of national and international policies and processes in the behaviour of those using, and operating in/around, the forests.

* develop appropriate policies and institutional arrangements among stakeholders in order to support better management of existing forests, and the creation of new forests, for multiple purposes.

CIFOR 6:

Research Activity: Forest fragmentation: its impact on insect- mediated plant reproductive processes.

Determination of the impacts of major threats to in situ conservation of forest genetic diversity, especially by human disturbance, logging and fragmentation.

Development tools which are needed for measuring and monitoring genetic diversity.

CIFOR 8:

Research Activity: Non Timber Forest Products and small-scale local livelihoods.

To identify global trends and patterns in the utilisation of non-timber forest products (NTFPs).

Through the analysis of these trends and patterns, to develop theories and models that help improve our understanding of these trends and thus permit us to make improved projections of future trends.

To develop projections of likely changes in forests and biodiversity which will result from increased utilisation of NTFPs.

To provide improved estimates of the number of people in tropical developing countries who depend on NTFPs, and determine the nature of this dependency.

CIFOR 9:

Research Activity: Research Capacity and Impact Assessment

To provide a range of services to CIFOR's partner organisations in developing countries. These include:

* improved access to information supported by modern information technology.

* targeted communication of research results through a variety of communications media.

* efficient and transparent management of research data.

* sustained networking among partner organisations involved in collaborative activities.

* effective measuring and monitoring research impacts.

CIFOR 1:

• Analyses of how policies and other social tends affect tropical forests and forest dependent people in Cameroon.
• Inputs into international comparative analysis, and development of new policy research methodologies.
• Research documents which analyse the policy formulation and implementation process in specific cases in Cameroon, and compare that process with similar cases in other countries.
• Proceedings national and international research workshops.
• An explicit CIFOR strategy for influencing policy formulation and implementation produced from research findings.

CIFOR 6:

• A predictive model of the role of various landscape-level variables (e.g.: size, isolation, pattern of fragments, quality of matrix, etc.) in determining the consequences of habitat fragmentation for genetic resources and biodiversity.

CIFOR 8:

• Theories and models that explain trends in NTFP utilisation. Procedures to assess the potential for NTFP based development in any given circumstance. Estimates on impact as a result of NTFP based development on forests and biodiversity. More accurate estimates of the number of people who depend on NTFP, and the nature of this dependency.

CIFOR 9:

• Improved evaluation methodology developed. Institutional comparative advantages identified. Baseline research capacity data produced for each institution.
• Research monitoring and evaluation procedures. Impact assessment methodologies. Impact assessment case study findings (ex ante and ex post).