The UN-REDD Programme has launched a new GIS toolbox to assist in mapping the potential for multiple benefits from REDD+, together with detailed guidance on identifying, mapping and understanding the spatial relationship between ecosystem carbon stocks, other ecosystem services, biodiversity, land-use and pressures on natural resources. The outputs of such work can support REDD+ decision-making on the location of REDD+ activities, in that they:

• Can be adapted to specific national priorities and needs for information;
• Provide a relatively quick-to-produce snapshot (rapid assessment) of the distribution of carbon stocks based on best available data (not a basis for carbon MRV);
• Illustrate where REDD+ could secure biodiversity and other ecosystem services (ecosystem-based multiple benefits) in addition to maintaining carbon stocks;
• Present the distribution of carbon stocks in relation to land-use plans and management units (such as protected areas) that countries may wish to consider when planning for REDD+;
• Highlight where areas of importance for ecosystem-based multiple benefits may be under pressure, e.g. from deforestation or oil, gas and mining activities;
• Identify areas of importance for biodiversity or ecosystem services that are unlikely to directly benefit from REDD+. As land-use change is reduced in REDD+ forests, some of these areas may come under additional risk of change;
• Assist countries in identifying what spatial distribution of REDD+ activities will help to promote and support the Cancun safeguards on natural forest and biodiversity.

The toolbox is flexible, providing a set of tools that can be used interchangeably while using a consistent and efficient methodology that will decreases the time required to undertake such analyses. This customized ArcGIS 9.3.1 toolbox has been developed at UNEP-WCMC for REDD+ multiple benefits analyses. It has been developed through work funded by both the UN-REDD Programme and the German Environment Ministry (BMU) through its Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN).

Download toolbox (version 1.2)
Download manual (version 1): Identifying and mapping the biodiversity and ecosystem-based multiple benefits of REDD+: A step-by-step guide.