Open sources
Global Forest Watch - interactive website
The Global Forest Watch iniative hosted by CBFP's member WRI (World Resources Institute) offers a large choice of interactive maps for the Central African region on its website.
WRI Forest Atlases
CARPE map library
The World Resources Institute (WRI) Forest Atlases are map-based applications that facilitate visualization and management of forest information.
Explore the 12 CARPE priority landscapes using CARPE Mapper, an interactive Web GIS for the Congo Basin.
Conduct map based and keyword searches or browse the CARPE Data Explorer and download CARPE related GIS data, satellite derived products, maps and posters.
Lessons from Cameroon: Forestry Impact Monitoring
Since 2001 the Government of Cameroon has embarked on a National Forest and Environment Sector Program (Programme Sectoriel Forêt et Environnement - PSFE) with the objective of guaranteeing the long-term sustainability of the economic, ecological and social functions of the forest ecosystems. The German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) supports the Government of Cameroon in the implementation of the PSFE through its own program called ProPSFE (Programme d'appui au PSFE). As part of its support, the GTZ has financed the creation of an impact monitoring system. This system, started in 2005, is based on a Online Indicator Database of 33 indicators (in the categories "natural resources", "good governance" and "poverty alleviation") as well as an interactive Online Atlas and an Online Library. Today it is one of the fully operational impact monitoring systems in Central Africa.
Geographical outspread of the COMIFAC region - maps
The COMIFAC region - satellite map.Maps have been accomplished by Global Forest Watch, a WRI initiative. Source: ESRI Data & Maps (2005) Image: Nasa, World could free image. With financial support of the GTZ and the French Ministry for International Affairs.(pdf - 204 KB)- The COMIFAC region- thematic map.Maps have been accomplished by Global Forest Watch, a WRI initiative. Source: ESRI Data & Maps (2005) Image: Global land cover 2000 database. European Commission, Joint Forest Research Centre (2003). With financial support of the GTZ and the French Ministry for International Affairs.(pdf - 248 KB)
OFAC - Observatory of Central African Forests
Created in 2007, the Observatory of Central African Forests (OFAC) is a specialized unit of the Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC) that makes available up-to-date and relevant data on the region's forests and ecosystems, with the aim of informing political decision-making and promoting better governance and sustainable management of natural resources. OFAC is supported by the EU-funded RIOFAC project.
Satellite Observatory of the Central African Forests
OSFAC was started following a 2000 meeting in Libreville that brought together representatives of forestry and mapping agencies from across Central Africa. At the meeting, participants recognized the important role satellite data and products play in the efficient management of natural resources, but acknowledged there were many constraints to using satellite data in the Congo Basin.
Participants proposed creating OSFAC as a regional forum to address these obstacles, which included: difficulties associated with data acquisition, a lack of permanent training institutions and limited capacity to apply satellite information. OSFAC was launched as the GOFC-GOLD network for Central Africa under the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS).
Its primary objective is to support the management of natural resources and promote sustainable development by producing reliable land cover products, distributing satellite data, building capacity and providing technical assistance to partners.
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