Previous research has identified the importance of the role of land cover in the global carbon cycle. In particular, forests have been identified as a significant carbon sink that can mitigate the rate of global climate change. Policy makers are faced with complex and difficult challenges in getting timely and useful information in monitoring global forest resources. Recent advances in the tools and methods of forest carbon accounting have produced new, innovative approaches to forest-based carbon inventories. But it is important as new tools are developed that scientists understand the needs of policy makers and that policy makers understand the capabilities and limitations of forest inventory methods. This paper explores four different policy applications that rely, or could benefit from, national carbon inventories. The goal is to help build a bridge between the communities of climate policy makers and scientists specialized in forest carbon inventories. To this end, we pursue three specific objectives: First we provide an overview for policy makers about approaches to forest carbon inventories, paying particular attention to the contributions of remote sensing technologies. Second, we outline the issues particularly relevant to forest inventory scientists who are interested in responding to public policy needs. We then discuss the tradeoffs between information cost, accuracy, precision, transparency and timeliness that need to be balanced in long-term monitoring of forest carbon. Finally, the article concludes with a series of observations and recommendations for the implementation of forest carbon inventories as increasingly central components of global climate change policy.

The R and D [research and development] project generally aimed to create/open innovative alternative livelihood assistance for the agriculture graduates of Pangasinan. Specifically, the project aims to: develop and strengthen manpower capabilities of 300 unemployed graduates on mushroom low cost technology, efficient and economically productive industry utilizing indigenous or agro-industrial/forest wastes, develop strong partnership among 10 local government units (LGU), 5 people's organizations, non-governmental organizations and 2 state colleges and universities and private higher education institutions in promoting mushroom production technology and assist 300 beneficiaries. The choice of the LGUs and other offices was based on the premise that majority of PSU graduates originated from these municipalities, identified as impoverished municipalities (KALAHI sites) and the manifestation of political support from the local executives. Consultation and planning with the potential partners and stakeholders as well as formulation of implementing rules and regulations was undertaken to identify perceived problems and solutions on the issues related to mushroom production. Training of screened beneficiaries on mushroom package of technologies and management were conducted in the Mushroom Research and Development Center, Sta. Maria, Pangasinan and the rest were in the stakeholders' places. IECM were distributed to the beneficiaries. Equipments, supplies and materials were purchased to enhance the capability of the proponents and beneficiaries to sustain the production of mushroom and delivery of services. Design of ideal mushroom fruiting house was given to the potential mushroom growers. The need for a directory of the identified beneficiaries were documented which was necessary for planning and decision-making purposes of the management. M and E thru on-site/field monitoring and evaluation of the beneficiaries' project were conducted to validate the accomplishments written on the report.