LUCC phase I paved the way for LUCC phase II projects. The opportunity came with the application of bridge funding from NASA in 1998 and SARCS-START in 1999. Both applications were successful. With new sources of funding phase II was launched in the Kuala Lumpur Meeting in May 1999. The main activities of phase II were

• Develop case studies to determine deforestation dynamics

• Determine that the annual rates of deforestation have been significantly different from the decadal mean rate over large areas and the region as whole.

• Develop diagnostic models of the deforestation process to better understand and quantify the differential controls on rates of deforestation and abandonment.

The transition from phase I to II saw the evolving of the research towards the following

• Build stronger research link to focus 2

• Build stronger socio-economic/human dimension modelling techniques

• Expand 2-3 dates analysis to multi-date analysis in order to capture the dynamics of LUCC.

• Develop a better system for data exchange and dissemination and better organisation of dataset form the region.

• Build strong links to land cover change and other global change research network.

• Build the region-wide component (link to regional and global forest monitoring activities or (GOFC)

The regional network was also expanded through

• Reinforcement of current network

• Involvement of more scientists within the region

• Involvement of more case study sites within the existing network (2 sites for Philippines and Malaysia, 3 sites for Indonesia and 5 sites for Thailand)

• Involvement of more social scientists

• Involvement of more case study sites in new countries

The regional network compilation of LUCC dataset for outreach package was also strengthened through

• Web page on LUCC project for each country

• Interactive CD ROM developed in coorporation with the IGBP-DIS

• Development of regional integrated metadata system was also initiated (SEA START RC, DIF)

The results of LUCC Phase II project were represented successfully in Bogor in January 2000. All the above activities planned for Phase II were successfully implemented except for the planned expansion to include new countries. For the inclusion of the new countries of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, new source of funding was sought. Asia Pacific Network for global Change Research (APN) was deemed as the most appropriate new sponsor. Application for APN funding was initiated in January 2000 and secured by July 2000. APN agreed to fund the project from 2000/01 to 2001/02.

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