China's pandas and their forests face pressure

"Knowing it is unlikely that all forests can be protected, it would be better to focus conservation priorities on those target areas that have the best prospects for continued existence.

"I believe this new study provides this new focus. I urge governments, communities and international organisations to act on our findings and recommendations."

The countries containing the key closed-canopy forests are Russia, Canada, Brazil, the US, Democratic Republic of Congo, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, India, Australia, and Papua-New Guinea.

Unep says 88% of the forests face negligible pressure from the numbers of people living in or near them.

In countries like India and China, population densities are affecting the forests, but Peru and Bolivia are two examples of countries that are virtually free from pressure.

More protection

The report says: "The low population densities in and around most of these areas offer an excellent opportunity for conservation, if appropriate steps are taken now by the national governments and the international community.

"The cornerstone of future policies for the protection of the forests should be based on protection, education, and alternatives to forest exploitation."

The degree of official protection given to the forests differs widely, from Venezuela, which protects 63% of its closed-canopy forests, to Russia with 2%.

Gorillas depend on the forests' survival

The report urges governments to give the forests more protection, and to draft action plans showing how they plan to conserve them.

It also wants tougher policing, and crackdowns on smuggling and poaching of wildlife and the trees themselves.

It says the governments of rich countries should invest in the protection of the forests, and says the investment required is likely to be "modest".

Unep is to publish a strategy on global forest assessment and monitoring, and hopes to create a permanent forest monitoring system.

Unep's proposal to concentrate funds and effort on the 15 countries will alarm those who believe that forests everywhere need protection, and that the less attractive candidates will now inevitably lose support.

But in harsh conservation terms it probably makes sense to give priority to the jewels in the forest crown. If they can be safeguarded, the argument runs, there will then be more hope for the rest.