Issues in the re-use of non-forestry specific spatial data sources for national environmental reporting on planted forests in New Zealand

Abstract

New Zealand's planted forests sector is the country's third largest export earner. Rising interest in green consumerism is leading to increased demand for scientifically defensible information on the sustainability credentials of forest products. International reporting mechanisms such as the Global Forest Resources Assessment, the Montréal Process and forest certification schemes require reporting on the state and trends in planted forests. Data availability for such reporting is variable. This paper explores the types of issues that arise when evaluating the applicability and usefulness of existing national environmental data sources for reporting, including the compatibility of attribute information, spatial data resolution and coverage, and extending existing data through analysis.

We conclude that the data sources could mostly be used, with some provisos and some additional information collection. The recommendations will contribute to a new web-based planted forest information portal under development for New Zealand's planted forests.

Keywords::

• national reporting
• data accuracy
• environmental indicators
• sustainability
• forestry

Acknowledgements

Brenda Baillie (Scion) provided input on national water quality sampling; Ecki Brockerhoff and Steve Pawson (Scion) provided input on habitat loss and fragmentation analysis. Sally Strang, Robin Black, Jansen Melhop (Hancock Forest Management) and Kit Richards (PF Olsen) provided company data and evaluated a number of the results. Reece Hill (Environment Waikato) provided coordinates from council sample planning. Alan Reid (Ministry for Primary Industries) and Deborah Burgess (Ministry for the Environment) provided input on national reporting.