Remote sensing

Connecting Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches in Environmental Observing

Effective responses to rapid environmental change rely on observations to inform planning and decision-making. Reviewing literature from 124 programs across the globe and analyzing survey data for 30 Arctic community-based monitoring programs, we compare top-down, large-scale program driven approaches with bottom-up approaches initiated and steered at the community level. Connecting these two approaches and linking to Indigenous and local knowledge yields benefits including improved information products and enhanced observing program efficiency and sustainability. We identify core principles central to such improved links: matching observing program aims, scales, and ability to act on information; matching observing program and community priorities; fostering compatibility in observing methodology and data management; respect of Indigenous intellectual property rights and the implementation of free, prior, and informed consent; creating sufficient organizational support structures; and ensuring sustained community members’ commitment. Interventions to overcome challenges in adhering to these principles are discussed.

How much do large-scale and small-scale farming contribute to global deforestation?

The study presented in this document expands on the work conducted during the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2020 Remote Sensing Survey (RSS) and revisits the extensive dataset of areas where deforestation occurred over periods 2000–2010 and 2010–2018 to subclassify and assess deforestation drivers. Notably, considering the importance it would have in designing appropriate strategies for halting deforestation, the study assesses the share of agriculture-driven deforestation linked to small-scale and large-scale farming, both for cropping and livestock systems. The goal was not only to further characterize the global deforestation drivers in 2000–2018 but also to identify methods and tools that can help in exploring the deforestation drivers using Earth Observation – by adding more options to the original FRA RSS query and by trying to define subjective characteristics of the activities.

The world’s mangroves 2000–2020

This report provides global and regional estimates of the area covered by mangrove forests, including area changes between 2000 and 2020. It analyses the drivers of these global, regional and subregional changes for the periods 2000–2010 and 2010–2020 with the aim of improving understanding of these drivers, their interactions and how their relative importance has shifted over time. In the study that underpins this report, FAO developed and validated an easy, repeatable methodology that integrates remote sensing with local knowledge. An FAO team and 48 image interpreters worldwide collected and analysed data on mangrove area in 2020, change in mangrove area between 2000 and 2020, and the drivers of change over the two decades. It is the first global study of mangrove area to provide information on land use rather than land cover.

Unlocking the secrets of mangroves

Where land and sea meet, a unique ecosystem is found: mangrove forests. Whether offering protection from climate change, supporting livelihoods, biodiversity and more, mangroves benefit us all. In the first study of its kind, FAO, with experts around the world, uncovered a wealth of information on the extent of mangrove forests globally, as well a glimpse into what causes mangrove losses and gains. Find out more about this precious ecosystem and see how mangroves affect our daily lives.

FRA 2020 Remote Sensing Survey

The FRA 2020 Remote Sensing survey is a global collaborative study of the Land use dynamic between the years 2000, 2010 and 2018 focused on forest and forest changes conducted by FAO. Through 34 physical and virtual workshops, more than 800 local experts from 126 countries and territories were trained, evaluated and incorporated into the FRA Remote Sensing focal point network. This unique network of remote sensing specialists collected 400.000 samples between 2019 and 2020, allowing us to derive the most updated, consistent and reliable land use statistics at global, regional and global ecological zone level.

Leaflet FAO Remote Sensing Survey reveals

The FRA 2020 Remote Sensing survey is a global collaborative study of the Land use dynamic between the years 2000, 2010 and 2018 focused on forest and forest changes conducted by FAO. Through 34 physical and virtual workshops, more than 800 local experts from 126 countries and territories were trained, evaluated and incorporated into the FRA Remote Sensing focal point network. This unique network of remote sensing specialists collected 400.000 samples between 2019 and 2020, allowing us to derive the most updated, consistent and reliable land use statistics at global, regional and global ecological zone level.

10+ years of UN-REDD expertise and best practice;

10+ years of UN-REDD expertise and best practice; to the most current topics and knowledge from our broad range of Programme experts.

Nota Informativa N°28. Análisis de factibilidad de mecanismos financieros para apoyar la implementación de las medidas de acción de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales (ENCCRV).

El documento describe el Análisis de factibilidad de mecanismos financieros para apoyar la implementación de las medidas de acción de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático y Recursos Vegetacionales (ENCCRV). Con la finalidad de fortalecer los análisis, el presente trabajo se realizó en estrecha coordinación con la inversión, la innovación y el emprendimiento, fortaleciendo, además, el capital humano y las capacidades tecnológicas para alcanzar el desarrollo sostenible y territorialmente equilibrado.

Intégration des données de télédétection et d’observation au sol pour l’estimation des émissions et des absorptions de gaz à effet de serre dans les forêts: Méthodes et pratiques recommandées par l’Initiative mondiale pour l’observation des forêts, Versio

Le MGD vise à compléter les orientations du GIEC, les approches adoptées par le programme ONU-REDD, le programme américain Silvacarbon, le FCPF de la Banque mondiale et le cahier de référence GOFC-GOLD en fournissant des conseils basés sur l'expérience accumulée sur l'utilisation conjointe de télécommande Détection et données terrestres, spécifiques aux activités REDD +. Il s'agit de l'édition 2 de la MGD. Il met à jour l'édition 1 (publiée en janvier 2014), en tenant compte des développements récents, y compris des soumissions officielles de niveau de référence REDD + à la CCNUCC, des augmentations de la disponibilité des données et de nouvelles recherches.

Integración de las observaciones por teledetección y terrestres para estimar las emisiones y absorciones de gases de efecto invernadero en los bosques: Métodos y Orientación de la Iniciativa Mundial de Observación de los Bosques, Edición 2.0

El MGD pretende complementar las orientaciones del IPCC, los enfoques adoptados por el Programa ONU-REDD, el programa Silvacarbon de los Estados Unidos, el FCPF del Banco Mundial y el libro de fuentes GOFC-GOLD, proporcionando asesoramiento basado en la experiencia acumulada en el uso conjunto del control remoto Sensores y datos basados en tierra, específicos de las actividades de REDD +. Esta es la Edición 2 de la MGD. Se actualiza la Edición 1 (publicada en enero de 2014), teniendo en cuenta los desarrollos recientes incluyendo las presentaciones oficiales de nivel de referencia de REDD + a la CMNUCC, los aumentos en la disponibilidad de datos y las nuevas investigaciones.

Integrating remote-sensing and ground-based observations for estimation of emissions and removals of greenhouse gases in forests: Methods and Guidance from the Global Forest Observations Initiative. Edition 2.0.

The GFOI Methods and Guidance Document (MGD) aims to increase mutual understanding between REDD+ policy and technical experts and relevant science communities, to guide the collection of relevant forestry data related to REDD+, and to assist sharing of data and experiences. The MGD aims to complement the guidance from the IPCC, the approaches taken by the UN-REDD Programme, the US Silvacarbon programme, the World Bank FCPF and the GOFC-GOLD Sourcebook by providing advice based on the accumulated experience on the joint use of remote sensing and ground-based data, specific to REDD+ activities. This is Edition 2 of the MGD. It updates Edition 1 (published in January 2014), taking account of recent developments including official REDD+ reference level submissions to the UNFCCC, increases in data availability and new research.

REDDcompass

Progressively work through the key themes, concepts and actions of REDD+ National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS) for Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) gaining access to a suite of GFOI methods and guidance, space data resources, training materials and tools along the way.

Letter Of Intent (LOI)

Document which set the obligations for both parties, namely DRC and CAFI, in terms of milestones to be complied with by DRC and the necessary funding CAFI will have to provide for the implementation of the DRC National REDD+ Investment Plan

Lettre d'Intention (LOI)

Document qui détermine les obligations des deux parties, à savoir la RDC et l'Initiative pour les Forêts de l'Afrique Centrale (CAFI), en terme de jalons à atteindre pour la RDC et des financements à assurer par CAFI pour la mise en oeuvre du Plan d'investissement National REDD+

National REDD+ Investment Plan

Programatic framework translating the National REDD+ Strategy into sectoral activities and key reforms, with project files related to the pilars identified in the National REDD+ Strategy

Plan National d'Investissement REDD+

Cadre de programmation qui décline la mise en oeuvre de la Stratégie Nationale REDD+, en terme d'activités sectorielles, des politiques et des réformes clés, notamment avec des fiches projets qui sont présentés correspondant aux piliers de la Stratégie.

Stratégie Nationale REDD+ Appendices

Annexes au Document de la Stratégie Nationale REDD+

Stratégie Nationale REDD+

Document de référence qui identifie les moteurs directs et indirects de la déforestation et de la dégradation forestière. Il précise la vision du Gouvernement pour un développement économique et social du pays à faible carbone, à l’horizon 2035, centrée sur 7 piliers d’intervention stratégique, dont 3 piliers sectoriels (agriculture, énergie e forêt) et 4 piliers habilitants (gouvernance, aménagement de territoire, reforme foncière et démographie)

The Implementation of the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ by Brazil

This is the complete version of the publication. It provides details about the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ and the process that Brazil went through as the first developing country to go through its implementation. All the submissions made by Brazil to the UNFCCC are available on this publication, as well as the reports from the technical assessments by UNFCCCC LULUCF experts that verified Brazil\'s REDD+ results. This is an important and useful resource for south-south cooperation on REDD+.

O nível de referência de emissões florestais do Brasil para pagamentos por resultados de redução de emissões provenientes do desmatamento no bioma Amazônia

O Brasil é responsável por expressivos resultados de redução de emissões de CO 2 provenientes do desmatamento no bioma Amazônia. ™ A formalização das ações nacionais de redução das emissões de gases de efeito estufa provenientes do desmatamento e degradação florestal, incluindo o papel da conservação florestal, do manejo sustentável de florestas e do aumento dos estoques de carbono florestal (REDD+) é um requisito para o reconhecimento dos resultados alcançados no âmbito da Convenção-Quadro das Nações Unidas sobre Mudança do Clima (UNFCCC). ™ O nível de referência de emissões florestais (FREL) é o referencial a partir do qual o resultado das ações de REDD+ é medido. ™ A submissão do FREL por países em desenvolvimento é voluntária, sendo, porém, um dos requisitos de elegibilidade para o recebimento de pagamentos por desempenho. O Brasil foi o primeiro país a submeter um FREL para avaliação de especialistas indicados pela UNFCCC em junho de 2014, dando início à implementação do Marco de Varsóvia para REDD+. O FREL submetido pelo Brasil passou por rigoroso processo de avaliação no âmbito da UNFCCC entre agosto e novembro de 2014. Esse processo facilitativo, contribuiu para dar maior transparência à submissão e identificou também áreas onde o Brasil poderia priorizar seus esforços de desenvolvimento técnico. O Brasil espera que mais países em desenvolvimento submetam seus FRELs e que países desenvolvidos se comprometam com o pagamento por resultados, para garantir a efetiva contribuição de REDD+ para a mitigação da mudança global do clima.

An Operational Framework for Defining and Monitoring Forest Degradation

Thompson, I. D., M. R. Guariguata, K. Okabe, C. Bahamondez, R. Nasi, V. Heymell, and C. Sabogal. 2013. An operational framework for defining and monitoring forest degradation. Ecology and Society 18(2): 20.

At the heart of REDD: a role for local people in monitoring forests?

REDD+ implementation challenges include linking remote sensing and national forest inventories of carbon stocks, to local implementation and measuring carbon loss from forest degradation. Community-based forest monitoring can help overcome these challenges. This analysis shows that local people can collect forest condition data of comparable quality to trained scientists, at half the cost. Empowering communities to own and monitor carbon stocks could provide a rapid and cost-effective way of absorbing carbon dioxide emissions, while potentially contributing to local livelihoods and forest biodiversity conservation.

An Assessment of National Forest Monitoring Capabilities in Tropical Non-Annex I Countries: Recommendations for Capacity Building

In partnership with the Government of Norway, GOFC-GOLD has carried out a study to understand the needs to monitor REDD in the world's tropical forests. This study examines, in 99 tropical non-Annex I countries, the current monitoring capabilities and the availability of remote sensing data and makes specific recommendations for the near term capacity development activities that would be required to implement an accurate forest area change and carbon monitoring system.

Global Forest Resources Assessment

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its member countries and partners will conduct a global remote sensing survey of forests. This is part of the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010 (FRA 2010).