RESTORATION OPPORTUNITIES ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY (ROAM) IN KAMPONG THOM, PREAH VIHEAR, AND SIEM REAP,

CAMBODIABACKGROUND: FAO established the Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism (FLRM) during the 22ndSession of the Committee on Forestry in June 2014, which aims to help national partners achieve their commitments towards the Bonn Challenge and the Aichi Targets. FLRM in Cambodia is being implemented in partnership with the Forestry Administration and the Ministry of Environment.

Cambodia had 53% forest cover in 2015 and has a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to increase forest cover to 60% by 2030 (will need to restore ~1.2 million hectares).

Factors that drive landscape degradation include: forest encroachment, illegal logging, land conversion for agriculture, forest fires, and soil erosion.

To support Cambodia’s efforts, Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) in three target provinces in Cambodian aims to restore ecological functioning to degraded multi-use landscapes (e.g. forests, agroforestry and farms) with a focus on improving local livelihoods.

METHODOLOGY: ROAM is a flexible and inclusive methodology that uses the best available science and local knowledge to address relevant subnational priorities.

It involved a stepwise and iterative application of a series of geospatial analyses and consultations to identify the best restoration opportunities.

To apply ROAM in Cambodia, we worked with local stakeholders and government authorities to build a plan for multi-use forest-based landscape that can improve biodiversity conservation, ecological functioning, and the livelihoods of local communities.

DETAILS, RESULTS, AND ANALYSIS OF ROAM IN KAMPONG THOM, PREAH VIHEAR, AND SIEM REAP

MULTI-STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE

DRIVERS & OBJECTIVES

1

2

Working with: national level authorities to share data & understand policy objectivesSub-national authorities to identify degradation driversLocal communities to understand needs on the ground

Working with: national level authorities to share data & understand policy objectives

Sub-national authorities to identify degradation drivers

Local communities to understand needs on the ground

IDENTIFYING DEGRADATION DRIVERS & OBJECTIVES THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

DEGRADATION DRIVERS

Forest encroachment Illegal logging Land conversion Forest fires Climate change Poaching Soil erosion Agricultural runoff

OBJECTIVES

Increase forest cover Reduce soil erosion Increase NTFPs Improve livelihoods Improve water quality Increase timber Improve biodiversity

STA

KEH

OLD

ER E

NG

AG

EMEN

T

ROAM STEPS

Indentification of restoration objectives and linkages to national priotities/targets

Identification of restoration options

Discussion and feedback on assessment results

Validation of strategic recommendations

Follow-up for policy uptake

Stakeholder prioritization of restoration interventions

Restoration opportunities mapping

Restoration economic modelling and validation

Restoration cost-benefit carbon modelling

Restoration diagnostic of presence of key success factors

Restoration finance and resourcing analysis

DATA COLLECTION

RESTORATION INTERVENTIONS

RESTORATION OPPORTUNITIES

COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS4

6

5Option Description

1 Native tree planting without regenerants

2 Native tree planting using Acacia nurse trees

3 Native tree planting with regenerants

4 Assisted natural regeneration

5 Protection only

6 Luxury timber plantation

7 Flooded forest regeneration

8 Cassava intercropping with peanuts

9 Cashew plantation

10 Growing bamboo on unutilized crop land

11 Riparian restoration with native trees species

12 Riparian restoration with bamboo

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000

PA/C

C O

ptio

n 1

CPA

Opt

ion

1Ri

paria

n O

ptio

n 11

CF O

ptio

n 4

PA/C

C O

ptio

n 4

Agri.

Lan

d O

ptio

n 10

Ripa

rian

Opt

ion

12CF

Opt

ion

3Fl

oode

d Fo

rest

Opt

ion

7CF

Opt

ion

2CF

Opt

ion

1Ag

ri. L

and

Opt

ion

9Ag

ri. L

and

Opt

ion

8CF

Opt

ion

6

Net

Pre

sent

Val

ue (U

SD/h

a)

Net present value (NPV) of restoration options (see table at left) calculated for implementation in different opportunity areas (see maps in section 3) with a 5% discount rate and 40-year horizon. Abbreviations: protected area (PA), community protected area (CPA), community forest (CF), conservation corridor (CC).

MAPPING RESTORATION OPPORTUNITIES AND DEGRADATION DRIVERS3Opportunity areas for restoration in the target provinces including protected areas, conservation corridors, riparian buffers, and community-managed forests, fisheries and protected areas

Drivers of degradation in the three provinces were mapped, which included areas of recent forest loss, frequently burned areas, and areas of high slope.

Prioritize the development and approval of CF, CPA, and Community Fishery management plans with an emphasis on restoration of degraded forest and agricultural lands.

Continue to increase the number of protected area rangers and efforts to professionalize the ranger force through training, equipment, and equitable salaries.

Systematic registration of land titles in rural areas and expedited resolution of land tenure disputes.

Development of a national payment for ecosystem services scheme that is equitable and well monitored.

Develop short and long term financing plans for restoration activities by combining different local financing mechanisms

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FLR