{"type":"survey","doc_desc":{"idno":"DDI_ECU_2009-2013_ENF-C1_v01_M_v01_A_ESS_FAO","producers":[{"name":"Ministry of Environment and Energy (Ministerio de Ambiente y Energ\u00eda)","abbr":"","affiliation":"Government of Ecuador","role":"Metadata producer"},{"name":"Statistics Division","abbr":"","affiliation":"Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations","role":"Metadata adapted for FAM"},{"name":"Development Data Group","abbr":"DECDG","affiliation":"World Bank Group","role":"Metadata adapted for World Bank Microdata Library"}],"version_statement":{"version":"Identical to a metadata (ECU_2009_2013_ENF_C1_v01_M_v01_A_ESS) published on FAO microdata repository (https:\/\/microdata.fao.org\/index.php\/catalog). Some of the metadata fields have been edited."}},"study_desc":{"title_statement":{"idno":"ECU_2009-2013_ENF-C1_v01_M_v01_A_ESS","title":"National Forest Assessment of Ecuador 2009-2013","sub_title":"Round I","alternate_title":"ENF-R1 2009-13","translated_title":"Evaluaci\u00f3n Nacional Forestal de Ecuador, Ciclo I"},"authoring_entity":[{"name":"Government of Ecuador, Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAE, Ministerio de Ambiente y Energ\u00eda)","affiliation":""}],"production_statement":{"producers":[{"name":"Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations","abbr":"FAO","affiliation":"","role":"Technical advising"},{"name":"Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE, Centro Agron\u00f3mico Tropical de Investigaci\u00f3n y Ense\u00f1anza)","abbr":"CATIE","affiliation":"","role":"Data analysis consultancy"},{"name":"National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP, Instituto Nacional Aut\u00f3nomo de Investigaciones Agropecuarias)","abbr":"INIAP","affiliation":"","role":"Soil and biomass sample treatments"}],"funding_agencies":[{"name":"Government of Ecuador","abbr":"","role":""},{"name":"National Secretariat for Planning and Development  (Secretar\u00eda Nacional de Planificaci\u00f3n y Desarrollo)","abbr":"SENPLADES","role":""},{"name":"Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations","abbr":"FAO","role":""},{"name":"Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland (Utrikesministeriet)","abbr":"","role":""},{"name":"Reconstruction Credit Institute (Kreditanstalt f\u00fcr Wiederaufbau)","abbr":"KfK","role":""}]},"distribution_statement":{"contact":[{"name":"Deputy Secretarye of Natural Heritage, Glenda Givabel Ortega S\u00e1nchez","affiliation":"Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE, Ministerio del Ambiente, Agua y Transici\u00f3n Ecol\u00f3gica)","email":"glenda.ortega@ambiente.gob.ec","uri":"https:\/\/www.ambiente.gob.ec\/contacto\/"},{"name":"Director of Forests, Rosa Elvira Benavides Castro","affiliation":"Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE, Ministerio del Ambiente, Agua y Transici\u00f3n Ecol\u00f3gica)","email":"rosa.benavides@ambiente.gob.ec","uri":"https:\/\/www.ambiente.gob.ec\/contacto\/"},{"name":"Monitoring Management Coordinator, Ximena Mar\u00eda Herrera Jir\u00f3n","affiliation":"Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE, Ministerio del Ambiente, Agua y Transici\u00f3n Ecol\u00f3gica)","email":"ximena.herrera@ambiente.gob.ec","uri":"https:\/\/www.ambiente.gob.ec\/contacto\/"},{"name":"Forest and Wildlife Control Analyst, Miguel Angel Chinchero Lema","affiliation":"Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE, Ministerio del Ambiente, Agua y Transici\u00f3n Ecol\u00f3gica)","email":"miguel.chinchero@ambiente.gob.ec","uri":"https:\/\/www.ambiente.gob.ec\/contacto\/"},{"name":"Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAE, Ministerio de Ambiente y Energ\u00eda)","affiliation":"Government of Ecuador","email":"atenci\u00f3n.virtual@energiayminas.gob.ec","uri":""}]},"series_statement":{"series_name":"Forest Resource Survey"},"study_info":{"keywords":[{"keyword":"Forest","vocab":"","uri":""},{"keyword":"Volume","vocab":"","uri":""},{"keyword":"Biomass","vocab":"","uri":""}],"topics":[{"topic":"Forest inventory","vocab":"","uri":""},{"topic":"Forest assessment","vocab":"","uri":""},{"topic":"Forest survey","vocab":"","uri":""},{"topic":"Timber production","vocab":"","uri":""},{"topic":"Biomass stocks","vocab":"","uri":""},{"topic":"Species diversity","vocab":"","uri":""},{"topic":"Health of forest ecosystems","vocab":"","uri":""},{"topic":"Timber forest ecosystems","vocab":"","uri":""}],"abstract":"Ecuador's first National Forest Assessment (ENF) is a strategic, integrated, and multi-purpose initiative developed in response to the need for up-to-date and reliable data on the country's forest resources. Its main objective is to provide a comprehensive and continuous assessment of forest ecosystems while also collecting socio-economic information to support evidence-based decision-making and the development, strengthening, and updating of public policies in the forestry sector. In addition, the ENF contributes to the formulation of strategies for sustainable forest management in the country.\n\nThe ENF collected integrated information spanning biophysical, environmental, and socio-economic dimensions. The three main components were: the National Forest Inventory (NFI), which collected detailed biophysical data; the biomass and carbon maps, for which carbon was quantified in different components and maps were generated; and the socio-economic component, which involved household and institutional surveys to better understand how local people interact with their natural environment.\n\nFor the first time, the resource category 'trees outside forests' was quantified at the national level. By including all land cover classes in its measurement framework, the National Forest Assessment provides a solid basis for monitoring future changes in land use and tree biomass across the landscape. Furthermore, the ENF's remit included the generation of information to facilitate access to international carbon markets.","coll_dates":[{"start":"2009","end":"2013","cycle":""}],"nation":[{"name":"Ecuador","abbreviation":"ECU"}],"geog_coverage":"National coverage","analysis_unit":"Fields\/plots","universe":"The forests and wooded areas of the nine forest types included in the study covered 13 038 367 hectares of the national territory as of 2012. These include natural forests, forests modified by human activity, mangroves, and flooded palm forests.","data_kind":"Sample survey data [ssd]","notes":"The National Forest Assessment (ENF) focused on three main components:\n- National Forest Inventory (NFI): The study was designed to suit Ecuador\u2019s characteristics, based on bioclimatic criteria and floristic composition.\n- Biomass and carbon maps: Carbon was quantified in different components (aboveground and belowground biomass, dead wood, and organic matter) using formulas, and partial carbon maps were generated.\n- Socio-economic components: The relationships between forests and households, as well as public and private actors, were studied. Aspects such as land use, resource utilization, production systems, and organizational structures were included in the analysis."},"method":{"data_collection":{"time_method":"The reference period was from 2006 to 2014.","sampling_procedure":"L-shaped clusters were established, consisting of three subplots oriented to the north, with measurement areas differentiated by forest stratum (forest type). Each forest has a differentiated sampling effort due to site conditions: \n- Andean Dry Forest (BSA, Bosque Seco Andino): subplot 3 600 m\u00b2, cluster 10 800 m\u00b2\n- Seasonally Tropical Dry Forests (BSP, Bosque Seco Pluvioestacional): subplot 3 600 m\u00b2, cluster 10 800 m\u00b2\n- Montane Evergreen Andean Forest (BSVAM, Bosque Siempreverde Andino Montano): subplot 3 600 m\u00b2, cluster 10 800 m\u00b2\n- Foothill Evergreen Forest (BSVPM, Bosque Siempreverde Pie Montano): subplot 3 600 m\u00b2, cluster 10 800 m\u00b2\n- Andean Cloud Forest (BSVCA, Bosque Siempreverde Ceja Andina): subplot 3 600 m\u00b2, cluster 10 800 m\u00b2\n- Lowland Evergreen Amazonian Forest (BSVTBA, Bosque Siempreverde Tierras Bajas de la Amazon\u00eda): subplot 3 600 m\u00b2, cluster 10 800 m\u00b2\n- Lowland Evergreen Choc\u00f3 Forest (BSVTBC, Bosque Siempreverde Tierras Bajas del Choc\u00f3 ): subplot 3 600 m\u00b2, cluster 10 800 m\u00b2\n- Mangrove (Ma): subplot 2 400 m\u00b2, cluster 7 200 m\u00b2\n- Moretal (flooded palm forest) (Mo): subplot 2 400 m\u00b2, cluster 7 200 m\u00b2\n\nThe secondary units nested within the clusters were:\n- 20 \u00d7 20 m plots for trees with diameter \u2265 10 cm (BSA, BSP, BSVAM, BSVPM, BSVTBA, BSVTBC, Ma, Mo; except in BSVCA, where trees with diameter \u2265 5 cm were measured)\n- 60 \u00d7 60 m plots for trees with diameter \u2265 20 cm (BSA, BSP, BSVAM, BSVPM, BSVTBA, BSVTBC, Ma, Mo; except in BSVCA, where trees with diameter \u2265 10 cm were measured)\n- 50 \u00d7 50 cm plots for litter (all strata)\n- 3.98 m circular plots for tree regeneration divided in two groups: 30 cm-1.3 m height, and 1.3 m height to diameter < 10 cm (all strata)\n- 2 \u00d7 2 m plots for understory biomass (BSVAM, BSVPM, BSVCA, BSVTBA, BSVTBC, Ma, Mo) and measurement of bamboo height in BSVCA and BSVAM\n- 5 \u00d7 5 m plots for understory biomass in BSA and BSP and measurement of Guadua bamboo in BSVTBA, BSVTBC, BSVPM\n- 30 m line-intercept transect for coarse woody debris\n\nSource: Methodology for developing the pilot study of the ENF in accordance with the REDD+ mechanism. Available at: https:\/\/enf.ambiente.gob.ec\/web_enf\/?page_id=1444","sampling_deviation":"A theoretical total of 1 890 sampling subunits was expected. However, due to accessibility issues (rocks, bodies of water in the different sampling units and subunits, and need for entry permits from local communities), only a portion of the plots could be measured: 80 percent of the expected tree sampling units, 70 percent of understory plots, and 60 percent of leaf litter and soil samples.","coll_mode":["Field measurement [field]"],"weight":"Various expansion factors are applied to convert the values and volumes of carbon stocks per hectare based on the size of the sampling units: \n- Dead leaves: 40 000\n- Undergrowth: 400 and 2 500 depending on the forest type \n- Large trees: 2.77\n- Trees less than 20 cm: 25\n- Fallen wood: 10 000 \n\nAdjustments are made for the effective measurement area, and the size of the forest type is taken into account for the calculations depending on the variable being analyzed.","cleaning_operations":"To detect potential errors, a protocol was developed, which includes the following steps:\n- Detection of out-of-range values: For example, in plots where only trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 20 cm were supposed to be measured, values below 20 cm were flagged. Another example is the presence of zero values for DBH or height.\n- Logical validation checks: A key example of this procedure is the review and correction of inconsistencies between the total height of trees and their commercial height. It should be noted that the commercial height in Ecuador's forests is always lower than the total height by definition.\n- Visual detection of outliers in relationships between variables: Graphical techniques, such as scatter plots of DBH versus total height, were used to identify trees with inconsistent relationships between variables, suggesting possible errors in one or both values.\n- Harmonization of species (unique identification): Scientific names were reviewed to detect and correct synonyms and typographical errors in genus and species names.\n- Identification of statistical outliers. Values for DBH, total height, and commercial height were standardized by species. Any standardized value exceeding an absolute value of 3.5 was considered an outlier and subsequently reviewed and deleted or imputed.\n\n**STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE CONTROL (SDC)**\nEndangered species or with commercial value are omitted from the database."},"analysis_info":{"response_rate":"The sampling design included 630 clusters comprising 1 890 subplots. Due to access restrictions or unsuitable site conditions, full coverage of measurements was not achieved. Nonetheless, data collection was completed for 86 percent of the subplots for tree measurements, 57 percent for litter, 30 percent for deadwood, and 63 percent for understory vegetation.","sampling_error_estimates":"Sampling errors were estimated for all key variables (e.g., biomass, carbon stocks, tree volume) based on the sampling design. Standard errors and 95 percent confidence intervals were calculated using the sample variance and the number of plots per stratum. Regarding non sampling errors, the errors associated with instrumentation or measurements were mitigated through protocols, manuals, training, support, and monitoring of field teams."}},"data_access":{"dataset_use":{"cit_req":"MAE. Ministerio de Ambiente y Energ\u00eda. Evaluaci\u00f3n Nacional Forestal ciclo I. 2025.","disclaimer":"The user of the data acknowledges that the original collector of the data, the authorized distributor of the data, and the relevant funding agency bear no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences based upon such uses."}}},"schematype":"survey","data_files":[],"variables":[],"variable_groups":[]}