17. Ecological Zoning and Assessments of Biological Diversity in the Tropics

The Chapter presents FAO programme on eco-floristic zone classification and mapping carried out during 1981-86 in collaboration with the International Institute for Vegetation Mapping (ICIV) at Toulouse in France. The objective was to provide a common system for classification and mapping of tropical vegetation cover, which could be used as a basis for assessment and monitoring of changes in the extent of forests by ecological zone, country, region and the world. It was also thought that such a map would have many other uses and promote exchange of scientific and technical know-how related to forest management and forest ecology among countries. The idea was first successfully tested in pilot countries of tropical Asia including India, Philippines and Thailand in cooperation with the national institutions and later extended to the entire tropics. Finally, an example is provided on the use of ecological zone database for preparing a report on the State of Forest Ecosystems in the Tropics for UNCED 1992 and assessing risks of biological diversity loss due to tropical deforestation.