A guide to the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM)

The document outlines the ROAM framework, which combines stakeholder engagement and data analysis to identify forest landscape restoration opportunities. It details a three-phase process: preparation and planning, data collection and analysis, and translating results into recommendations. The methodology employs tools for spatial mapping, economic valuation, carbon sequestration modelling, and institutional diagnostics to support national strategies and international commitments like the Bonn Challenge.

• The ROAM process is structured into three main phases: (1) preparation and planning, (2) data collection and analysis, and (3) results to recommendations.
• A national-level ROAM assessment is designed to be rapid and affordable, typically requiring 15-30 days of work by a core team over a period of two to three months.
• The methodology utilizes two primary spatial analysis approaches based on data availability: 'digital mapping' for data-rich environments and 'knowledge mapping' for data-poor environments, though a combined approach is often preferred.
• ROAM employs marginal analysis for economic valuation, focusing on the additional benefits and costs incurred by a restoration intervention compared to a baseline land-use scenario.
• Carbon sequestration potential is estimated using IPCC methods, with the 'Tier 1' method recommended for most national-level analyses due to its simplicity and reliance on default values.
• The methodology includes a diagnostic tool to assess 'key success factors' across three themes: clear motivation, enabling conditions (legal, policy, market, and institutional), and capacity and resources for implementation.
• Finance analysis in ROAM distinguishes between different funding sources and mechanisms, noting that interventions providing broader societal benefits are better suited for public sector finance, while those benefiting individuals can attract private investment.
• Pilot applications of ROAM in Ghana, Mexico, and Rwanda demonstrated the methodology's adaptability to different biomes and data availability levels, resulting in national priority maps and strategic policy recommendations.

APA

Maginnis, S., Laestadius, L., Verdone, M., DeWitt, S., Saint-Laurent, C., Rietbergen-McCracken, J., & Shaw, D. M. P. (2014). A guide to the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM). World Resources Institute. https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/guide-restoration-opportunities-assessment-methodology.pdf

Chicago

Maginnis, Stewart, Lars Laestadius, Michael Verdone, Sean DeWitt, Carole Saint-Laurent, Jennifer Rietbergen-McCracken, and Daniel M. P. Shaw. A guide to the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM). World Resources Institute, 2014. https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/guide-restoration-opportunities-assessment-methodology.pdf.

Wikipedia

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BibTeX

@techreport{maginnis2014guide, author = {Maginnis, Stewart and Laestadius, Lars and Verdone, Michael and DeWitt, Sean and Saint-Laurent, Carole and Rietbergen-McCracken, Jennifer and Shaw, Daniel M. P.}, title = {{A guide to the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM)}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2014}, url = {https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/guide-restoration-opportunities-assessment-methodology.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }