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Papua New Guinea
Forest Information and Data
According to the U.N. FAO,
63.4% or about 28,726,000 ha of Papua New Guinea is forested, according to FAO. Of this 91.2% ( 26,210,000 ) is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse and carbon-dense form of forest. Papua New Guinea had 86,000 ha of planted forest.
Change in Forest Cover: Between 1990 and 2010, Papua New Guinea lost an average of 139,850 ha or 0.44% per year. In total, between 1990 and 2010, Papua New Guinea lost 8.9% of its forest cover, or around 2,797,000 ha.
Papua New Guinea's forests contain 2,306 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass.
Biodiversity and Protected Areas: Papua New Guinea has some 1571 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles according to figures from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Of these, 25.6% are endemic, meaning they exist in no other country, and 7.0% are threatened. Papua New Guinea is home to at least 11544 species of vascular plants. 0.0% of Papua New Guinea is protected under IUCN categories I-V.
2011 Update
In May 2011, Sassan Saatchi of Caltech's Jet Propulsion Lab and colleagues published a paper in PNAS with new carbon stock estimates for global tropical forests.
| Forest definition (canopy cover %) | 10% tree cover | 25% tree cover | 30% tree cover | | Forest Area (M ha) | 43 | 37 | 36 | | Aboveground forest carbon (Mt C) | 4,971 | 4,498 | 4,410 | | Belowground forest carbon (Mt C) | 1,335 | 1,203 | 1,179 | | Total forest carbon (Mt C) | 6,306 | 5,701 | 5,589 | | Average Carbon Density (t C/ha) | 147 | 152 | 153 |
M=million, t=metric tons; all figures are mean carbon stock values
Papua New Guinea Environmental profile
The following contains data relating to forest cover in Papua New Guinea
Previous version of this profile (2009)
SECTIONS:
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Papua New Guinea: Forest Cover, 2010
| Total Land Area (1000 ha) | 45286 |
| Total Forest Area (1000 ha) | 28726 |
| Percent Forest Cover | 63 |
| Primary Forest Cover (1000 ha) | 26210 |
| Primary Forest, % total forest | 91 |
| Other wooded land (1000 ha) | 4474 |
| Percent other wooded land | 10 |
Papua New Guinea: Breakdown of forest types, 2010
| Primary forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) | 26210 | 91 |
| Other naturally regenerated forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) | 2430 | 8 |
| Planted Forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) | 86 | n.s. |
Papua New Guinea: Trends in Total (Net) Forest Cover, 1990-2010
| TOTAL FOREST COVER (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| 31523 | 30133 | 29437 | 28726 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| -139 | -139 | -142 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| -0.45 | -0.47 | -0.49 | |
Papua New Guinea: Trends in Natural Forest Cover (Deforestation), 1990-2010
| FOREST COVER (excluding planted forests) (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| 31460 | 30051 | 29345 | 28640 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| -141 | -141 | -141 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| -0.4 | -0.45 | -0.47
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Papua New Guinea: Trends in Primary or Old Growth Forest Cover, 1990-2010
| PRIMARY FOREST COVER (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| 31329 | 29534 | 28344 | 26210 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| -180 | -238 | -427 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| -0.59 | -0.82 | -1.55 | |
Papua New Guinea: Trends in Planted Forest Cover, 1990-2010
| PLANTED FOREST COVER (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| 63 | 82 | 92 | 86 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| 2 | 2 | -1 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| 2.75 | 2.30 | -1.38 | |
Papua New Guinea: Primary designated function (percent)
| Production | Protection of soil and water | Conservation of biodiversity | Social services | Multiple use | Other | None or unknown |
| 25 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 66 |
Papua New Guinea: Forest ownership and management rights 2005 (percent)
| OWNERSHIP PATTERN |
| Public ownership | Private ownership | Other |
| 3 | 97 | 0 |
| PRIVATE OWNERSHIP |
| Individuals | Business entities and institutions | Local, indigenous and tribal communities |
| 0 | 0 | 100 |
| HOLDER OF MANAGEMENT RIGHTS OF PUBLIC FORESTS |
| Public administration | Individuals | Business
entities and Institutions | Communities | Other |
| 96 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Papua New Guinea: Growing stock in forest
| GROWING STOCK IN FOREST |
Total
(million m3) | Per hectare
(m3) | Coniferous
(million m3) | Broadleaved
(million m3) | % commercial species |
| 2726 | 95 | 0 | 2726 | - |
| GROWING STOCK IN FOREST |
| Total (million m3) | Per hectare (m3) | Coniferous (million m3) | Broadleaved (million m3) | % commercial species |
| 70 | 16 | | | |
Papua New Guinea: Trends in carbon stock in living forest biomass 1990-2010
CARBON STOCK IN LIVING FOREST BIOMASS
(million metric tons) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| 2537 | 2423 | 2365 | 2306 |
CARBON STOCK IN LIVING FOREST BIOMASS
(per hectare in tons) |
| | | 2000 |
| | | 80 |
ANNUAL CHANGE
(1 000 t/yr) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| -11 | -11 | -12 |
ANNUAL CHANGE PER HECTARE
(t/ha/yr) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| n.s. | n.s. | n.s. |
Papua New Guinea: Area of forest affected by fire and other disturbances 2005
| FOREST FIRE |
| 1000 ha | % wild fire (not managed burn) |
| - | 100 |
| EXCLUDING FOREST FIRE |
| Insects | Diseases | Other biotic agents | Abiotic factors | Total (excluding fire) | % of 2005 forest area |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
Papua New Guinea: Trends in removals of wood products 1990-2005
INDUSTRIAL ROUNDWOOD
Total volume (1 000 m3 over bark) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | percent of which from forest 2005 |
| 1785 | 2136 | 2832 | 100 |
WOODFUEL
Total volume (1 000 m3 over bark) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | percent of which from forest 2005 |
| - | - | - | - |
Papua New Guinea: Value of wood and NWFP removals 2005
Value of removals
(million US$) | Value per ha forest
(US$) |
| Industrial roundwood | Woodfuel | NWFP | Total | |
| 9 | - | - | - | - |
Papua New Guinea: Employment in forestry 1990-2005
TOTAL
(1000 full-time employees) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 |
| - | - | - |
IN PRIMARY PRODUCTION OF GOODS-FORESTRY
(1000 full-time employees) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 |
| - | - | - |
IN MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS-CONSERVATION
(1000 full-time employees) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 |
| - | - | - |
Papua New Guinea: Forest policy and legal framework 2008
National forest policy (year): Yes (1991)
Sub-national forest policy: No
National forest program (year) - status: No (-) -
National forest law (year): Specific forest law (1991)
Sub-national forest law: No
Papua New Guinea: Human resources within public forest institutions 2000-2008
| 2000 | 2005 | 2008 |
| # | % female | # | % female | # | % female |
| - | - | - | - | 337 | 25 |
Papua New Guinea: Forest revenue and public expenditure on forestry 2005
| Forest revenue | Public expenditure (1000 US$) |
| Domestic funding | External funding | Total |
| (1000 US$) | Operational expenditure | Transfer payments | Operational expenditure | Transfer payments | Operational expenditure | Transfer payments |
| 41908 | 7552 | - | - | - | 7552 | -
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Papua New Guinea: Status of ratification of international conventions and agreements as of 1 January 2010
CbD:
UNFCCC:
Kyoto Protocol:
UNCCD:
ITTA:
CITeS:
Ramsar:
World Heritage Convention:
NlbI:
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Papua New Guinea: Environment
| Environment - current issues | rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought | | Environment - international agreements | party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements | | Natural hazards | active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis |
Papua New Guinea: Land use / Resources
| Land use (%) | arable land: 0.46%
permanent crops: 1.44%
other: 98.1% (2001) | | Natural resources | gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries |
Papua New Guinea: Economy
| Economy - overview: | Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including oil, copper, and gold, account for nearly two-thirds of export earnings. The economy has improved over the past three years, following a prolonged period of instability. Former Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA had tried to restore integrity to state institutions, to stabilize the kina, restore stability to the national budget, to privatize public enterprises where appropriate, and to ensure peace on Bougainville. Australia annually supplies $240 million in aid, which accounts for 20% of the national budget. Challenges face Prime Minister Michael SOMARE, including gaining further investor confidence, continuing efforts to privatize government assets, maintaining the support of members of Parliament, dealing with widespread crime and corruption, and balancing relations with Australia, the former colonial ruler. | | GDP - per capita | $2,400 (2005 est.) | | GDP - real growth rate (%) | 1.1% (2005 est.) | | Agriculture - products | coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork | | GDP - composition by sector (%) | agriculture: 35.2%, industry: 38.3%, services: 26.4% (2005 est.) | | Industries | copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production; construction, tourism | | Economic aid - recipient | $400 million (1999 est.) | | Debt - external | $1.978 billion (2005 est.) | | Population below poverty line (%) | 37% (2002 est.) | | Labor force - by occupation (%) | agriculture 85%, industry NA, services NA |
Papua New Guinea: Population / Demographics
| Population (July 2005) | 5,545,268 | | Population growth rate (%) (2005) | 2.26% | | Population density (people/sq km) (2005) | 12.2 | | Percent rural (2003) | 86.8% | | Median age (years) | total: 21.09 years | | Total fertility rate (children born/woman) | 3.96 (2005 est.) | | Ethnic groups (%) | Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian |
Largest Cities in Papua New Guinea
Cities and urban areas in Papua New Guinea with population over 100,000 All figures are estimates for 2002.
| City | Country | City Population | Urban Area Population |
| Port Moresby | Papua New Guinea | 312300 | 312300 |
| Lae | Papua New Guinea | 105200 | 105200 |
Papua New Guinea: Infrastructure
| Telephones - main lines in use | 62,000 (2002) | | Telephones - mobile cellular | 15,000 (2002) | | Roadways (km) | total: 19,600 km
paved: 686 km
unpaved: 18,914 km (1999 est.) |
Papua New Guinea: Health
| Life expectancy at birth (years) | total population: 64.93 years
male: 62.76 years
female: 67.21 years (2005 est.) | | Infant mortality rate | 51.45 deaths/1,000 live births | | HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%) | 0.6% (2003 est.) | | Major infectious diseases | degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations (2004) |
Papua New Guinea
: References & Data Sources
 Environment, Land use / Resources, Economy, Population / Demographics, Infrastructure, Health -- CIA World Factbook, 2005
Forest Cover, Forest types, Breakdown of forest types, Change in Forest Cover, Primary forests, Forest designation, Disturbances affecting forest land, Value of forests, Production, trade and consumption of forest products -- The FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS's Global Forest Resources Assessment (2005 & 2010) and the State of the World's Forests (2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001)
Protected Areas, Plant and animal biodiversity -- United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). 2004. World Database on Protected Areas.
Biosphere reservers -- United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) - Man and Biosphere Program. 2004. UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory.
RAMSAR sites -- The Bureau of the Convention on Wetlands . 2005. The Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
World Resources Institute's EarthTrends web site
The 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Population Data -- United Nations Population Fund
With additional analysis by Rhett Butler of mongabay.com
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