Global forest ressources assessment 2010 Main report FAO Forestry paper Series, Vol. 163

This publication (FRA 2010) is the most comprehensive assessment of forests and forestry to date - not only in terms of the number of countries and people involved, but also in terms of scope. It examines the current status and recent trends for about 90 variables covering the extent, condition, uses and values of forests and other wooded land, with the aim of assessing all benefits from forest resources. Carried out at five-years intervals, FRA provides the data and information needed to support policies, decisions and negotiations in all matters where forests and forestry play a part. Statistics on trends in forest carbon stocks, for example, will support predictions of climate change and development of appropriate adaptation measures. FRA 2010 also includes information on variables such as forest health, the contribution of forests to national economies and the legal and institutional framework governing the management and use of the world's forests.