 HIGHLIGHT
Cambodia – Compiling and Analyzing Emissions from Land Use
Phnom Penh, Cambodia / January-February, 2019
In October 2017, SilvaCarbon and the Cambodian Ministry of Environment (MOE) began a collaboration focused on building Cambodia’s capacity to compile and analyze greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the land use sector using the Agriculture and Other Land Use Software for GHG-Inventory ( ALU tool). MOE is currently preparing the country’s Biannual Update Report (BUR) as one of the requirements for accessing result-based payments for emissions reductions, and is working to align the BUR with the Forest Reference Emission Levels (FREL) to ensure data consistency.
SilvaCarbon has been providing technical training and coaching sessions to assist with BUR preparation. From January 14-18, a coaching session was organized for key technical staff at MOE and the Department of Agricultural Land Management who are involved in compiling GHG data. This five-day, on-the-job training helped the participants complete the 2010 GHG-inventory database and calculate GHG emissions and removals. The session also focused on generating time series data for the 2010-2016 period to support BUR and FREL alignment. In a subsequent training session held February 18-22, the MOE team successfully completed the GHG-inventory database for the 2010-2016 period.
As a next step, SilvaCarbon will work with MOE to recalculate and analyze some of the identified discrepancies. Future SilvaCarbon support will also focus on including all agriculture categories in order to have a comprehensive overview of the agriculture, forestry, and other land use sector, and training MOE staff on how to conduct mitigation analysis. Contact: Marija Kono: mkono.silvacarbon@gmail.com.
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RECENT ACTIVITIES
Africa
Republic of the Congo – Official Establishment of a National MRV Cell
Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo / January 8, 2019
The Minister of Forest Economy for the Republic of the Congo (ROC), H.E. Madame Rosalie Matondo, signed a Ministerial Order establishing an MRV Cell in the National Center for Forest and Wildlife Inventories (CNIAF), which is responsible for setting up and implementing the MRV system. The formal establishment of the MRV Cell is the outcome of a series of meetings between the ROC Climate Fellow and the Climate Change Advisor to the Minister, the Director of CNIAF, and the National REDD+ Coordinator, in conjunction with a series of workshops focused on regrouping key actors involved in national MRV development. The MRV Cell consists of three technical pillars (1) Satellite-based Observation of the Earth; (2) Forest and GHG Inventory; and (3) Database Management. Contact: Rene Siwe, rene.siwe@fs-ip.us.
Republic of the Congo – Workshop on Activity Data Assessment
Kintélé, Republic of the Congo / February 4-7, 2019
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen MRV capacity in ROC, the ROC Climate Fellow, Rene Siwe, organized a technical workshop on the “Assessment of Activity Data in the Scope of the REDD+ Process in the Republic of the Congo.” The objective of the workshop was to ensure that national circumstances are fully considered in the selection of methodologies for activity data assessment.
Discussion focused on understanding the activities driving changes in forest land remaining forest land, forest to other land, and other land to forest, to inform decision-making around appropriate monitoring tools and methods. Representatives from the Cabinet of the Minister of Forest Economy, the General Directorate of Forest Economy, the CNIAF, the MRV Cell, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Marien NGOUABI University, the National Forest Research Institute, and the US Embassy attended the workshop.
The results of the workshop help to ensure comparability, consistency, and completeness as guiding principles in the overall GHG inventory. They also provide a framework for future activities aimed at assessing changes in forest land. A follow-up activity will seek to review existing methods in assessing changes in forest land in the Republic of the Congo and evaluate their efficacy. Contact: Rene Siwe, rene.siwe@fs-ip.us.
Cameroon – Land Cover and Change Map Validation
Yaoundé, Cameroon / February 2019
The Cameroon REDD+ Technical Secretariat, in collaboration with the US Forest Service (USFS), is preparing to launch a land cover map validation process which will cover the entire country. Leading up to the project launch, a number of meetings have been organized with government institutions included in the national MRV framework, and key GIS technicians have been designated. The USFS and the French Geospatial Program IGN FI/SIRS are exploring the opportunity to organize a two-week training before launching the project. Contact: Olivier Sene, olivier.sene@fs-ip.us.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Peru – Seminar Series on Forest Monitoring and Inventory
Lima, Peru / December 2018
SilvaCarbon, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Peru, is implementing a seminar series designed for both current and future forest monitoring practitioners. In a December session of the series, Dr. Ruth Yanai from the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, presented on nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. She highlighted the importance of taking an ecosystem approach in studying the nutrient cycle, the importance of testing models and assumptions with experiments, and the value of uncertainty analysis to interpret research results.
In another December session, USFS forest inventory expert Andy Lister contributed two video lectures on forest inventory needs assessment and forest inventory design. The videos (in Spanish) were presented during the seminar session and made available online via YouTube. The lectures are also provided in PowerPoint format, with embedded video. Contact: Craig Wayson, cwayson.silvacarbon@gmail.com.
> VIDEO 1
> VIDEO 2
> POWERPOINT
Costa Rica – Training on Mapping and Change Detection Using the SEPAL Platform and Remote Sensing Techniques
San Jose, Costa Rica / February 12–15, 2019
The Costa Rica Climate Fellow, Randy Hamilton, coordinated a training on mapping and change detection using the FAO’s System for Earth Observations, Data Access, Processing and Analysis for Land Monitoring ( SEPAL) and remote sensing techniques, which was funded jointly by SilvaCarbon, FAO, and Costa Rica’s REDD+ Secretariat supported by the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. Participants gained knowledge of how to quickly create cloud-free image mosaics and land cover maps, as well as detect changes in the land cover using time series analysis and other approaches. The REDD+ Secretariat intends to use the tool to develop a change layer within which they will intensify a photo-interpreted sample of land use that will be used to update their FREL.
During this trip, the Climate Fellow also met with the technical working group that is overseeing the development and implementation of the sample-based, photo-interpreted land use and land cover monitoring system that is part of the country’s National Land Use, Land Cover and Ecosystems Monitoring System (SIMOCUTE), which the Climate Fellow has supported since 2015. During this meeting, the group reviewed and prioritized outstanding technical elements that need to be addressed during the year.
The Climate Fellow reviewed progress of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC)’s work plan to prepare to implement the second cycle of the national forest inventory, together with SINAC and FAO experts. Several specific upcoming activities were also coordinated. Contact: Rachel Sheridan, rachelsheridan@fs.fed.us.
Paraguay – Geodatabase Update Workshop
Asuncion, Paraguay / February 18-19, 2019
Technicians at Paraguay's General Directorate of Forests participated in a workshop on "Updating the Geodatabase of the National Forest Cadastre" led by US Geological Survey (USGS) expert Humberson Delbert. The workshop introduced key concepts and tools to support the National Forestry Institute (INFONA) in setting up an ArcGIS database of geographic information. The geodatabase will be used to update the National Forestry Cadastre, which will serve as a basis for monitoring plans approved by INFONA. Contact: Sylvia Wilson, snwilson@usgs.gov.
Paraguay – Google Earth Engine Training and SilvaCarbon Technical Consultation
Asuncion, Paraguay / February 26 - March 6, 2019
SilvaCarbon and Google Earth Engine (GEE) organized a technical consultation and a GEE training for INFONA. The first days of the training focused on exploring the tools and functions of GEE applicable to INFONA's work on forest cover mapping and monitoring, and introduced key ways to interact with the GEE platform including the Code Editor and the Explorer. Later, Boston University shared an algorithm for mapping and monitoring forest degradation that runs in GEE. The entire training consisted of hands-on exercises, including satellite image analysis, the creation of cloud-free mosaics, and plotting of time series data. Contact: Sylvia Wilson, snwilson@usgs.gov.
Peru – National Forest Inventory Remote Support
Lima, Peru / Ongoing
The SilvaCarbon Program has continued the support to the forest inventory team of Peru’s national forest service (SERFOR) by helping standardize and load data for the Evalidator estimation tool, which USFS helped to develop. Retired USFS expert Chip Scott and USFS expert Andy Lister helped create standard data loading templates, and adapted the Evalidator software to accommodate the different plot and sample designs used for different ecoregions. Using these data, SERFOR is currently preparing its national-scale forest inventory report with the first panel of data, for the first time using the same estimation system for all parts of the country. Continuing work has involved advice and software adjustments that allow for incorporating new information, such as down woody debris, into Evalidator. Contact: Craig Wayson, cwayson.silvacarbon@gmail.com.
El Salvador – Photointerpretation-based Forest Monitoring System Pilot
Remote / Ongoing
USFS expert Andy Lister and SilvaCarbon technical expert Randy Hamilton have continued working with forestry personnel from the El Salvador environment ministry on developing photointerpretation-based forest monitoring system for the country. Using the FAO and USFS-developed Collect Earth Online tool, several hundred points for three time periods were collected. SilvaCarbon supported the effort by helping with software training, project development, and estimation software development. Contact: Rachel Sheridan, rachelsheridan@fs.fed.us.
Asia
Bangladesh – Video and Report from 2018 Regional Workshop on National Forest Inventory
Sylhet, Bangladesh / May 7-10, 2018
In May 2018, the SilvaCarbon-Bangladesh program and FAO organized a regional workshop for Bangladesh and other countries in South and Southeast Asia to share their knowledge and experiences developing and implementing national forest inventory programs. FAO produced a video about the workshop and related forest monitoring efforts (screenshot above), which is now available. The proceedings from the event are also available. Contact: Justin Green, justingreen@usda.gov.
Nepal – Collaboration on Improved Land Cover Monitoring
Kathmandu, Nepal / December 2018 – January 2019
The SERVIR-Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) program is leading the development a Regional Land Cover Monitoring System (RLCMS) for the HKH region. To support this process, SilvaCarbon is assisting Nepal to build the capacity of the Forest Research and Training Centre (FRTC), under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to use and tailor the system to meet Nepal’s national land cover mapping and monitoring needs.
On December 4-5, a workshop led by ICIMOD (SERVIR-HKH) and FRTC convened 35 senior-level decision makers and technical specialist from 12 different land use agencies in order to discuss the current national land cover representation system in Nepal, identify key challenges from both users’ and developers’ perspectives, and draft a revised national legend with updated typology and definitions.
Following the workshop, from January 21-24, SilvaCarbon conducted training sessions with FRTC focused on reviewing and refining the reference data generated by the agency and examining specific applications, such as monitoring of key forest degradation drivers. The following week, FRTC officers joined the second production workshop for the RLCMS. Similar training sessions will be planned throughout the year. Contact: Marija Kono: mkono.silvacarbon@gmail.com.
Vietnam – Advanced Google Earth Engine Training
Hanoi, Vietnam / February 25 - March 1, 2019
SilvaCarbon and the SERVIR-Mekong program organized a training for Vietnam focused on using the GEE platform for forest monitoring applications. The training objectives were to: (1) improve ability to write code in GEE and build applications in the forestry sector; (2) identify solutions to improve the quality of pre-processed satellite images, and eliminate confounding factors such as clouds and shadows; (3) calculate indicators from image bands, particularly Sentinel 2 images; (4) develop methods and classification processes for each forest type that can used for REDD + reporting at different scales and combine different data sources (e.g. University of Maryland, SERVIR-Mekong); and (5) test and refine procedures for monitoring forest dynamics. Contact: Vo Viet Cuong, Cuong.silvacarbon@gmail.com.
Regional – Training on Remote Sensing Methods for Forest Restoration Planning and Monitoring
Bangkok, Thailand / March 4-8, 2019
SilvaCarbon collaborated with FAO, SERVIR-Mekong, and the Centre for People and Forests (RECOFTC) to organize a five-day training on the application of remote sensing methods for planning and monitoring large-scale forest restoration efforts in the Mekong region. The training convened approximately 30 technical experts from the Mekong region, and covered the use of key remote sensing tools including SEPAL and Collect Earth Online. Contact: Marija Kono: mkono.silvacarbon@gmail.com.
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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Global
Exchange of Experiences on Land Use Mapping Using Google Earth Engine
Washington, DC / March 25-27, 2019
SilvaCarbon and a number of partners are organizing a workshop to support the five countries currently engaged in the BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (ISFL) program – Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mexico and Zambia – to increase their capacities for tracking emissions in the land sector, including in the agricultural sector. The workshop will provide an opportunity to evaluate the mapping systems used by the five countries and identify opportunities to strengthen their methodologies and achieve better results. SilvaCarbon and the World Bank are partnering with the GEE team to help the countries produce land change accounting platforms, creating a set of tools that run on the GEE platform. The workshop will engage experts from GEE, Boston University, USGS, USFS, World Bark, and other institutions, and will be geared at decision makers for the ISFL country teams and leaders of the national monitoring systems in the five ISFL countries. Contact: Sylvia Wilson, snwilson@usgs.gov.
Global Forest Observations Initiative Plenary 2019
Maputo, Mozambique / April 8-11, 2019
The 2019 plenary meeting of the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI) will be held in Maputo, Mozambique, from April 8-11, 2019. For more information about the event please visit the GFOI website.
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PARTNER PROFILE
SilvaCarbon engages a diverse community of forest and carbon monitoring practitioners and experts representing more than 23 countries. The SilvaCarbon Spotlight Partner Profile interview series aims to recognize SilvaCarbon community members from across the globe, shed light on their work and interests, and provide a platform to share their stories.
This month, in honor of International Women’s Day 2019, we are pleased to share the profile of one of the many women SilvaCarbon partners with around the world.
Betina Salgado
National Forest Inventory Coordinator for the Honduras Forest Service
What is your job, and what work do you do in that role?
Since 2008 I have worked as the National Forest Inventory Coordinator for the Honduras Forest Service (IFC). In this role, I oversee the planning and financial management of the country’s national forest inventory, in coordination with the regional forestry departments in ICF.
What is your organization’s mission, and why is that important to you?
ICF’s mission is to be recognized nationally and internationally as a leading and reliable institution in sustainable ecosystem management that promotes the participation of society. The inventory work I do is focused on providing results that support decision makers in planning, design, and implementation of national and international strategic policies for the sustainable use, conservation, and recovery of forest ecosystems.
What motivates you to do what you do? What are you most excited or passionate about in your work?
I get the most satisfaction in conducting research in the different ecosystems of the country, especially in mangroves. Mangroves are one of the most important ecosystems in Honduras, yet are understudied. Personally, it is also a special ecosystem for me as well.
What is the biggest challenge you face in your work, generally? What are the main challenges in terms of measuring, monitoring, and reporting forest carbon, specifically?
One of the biggest challenges is leading activities and projects that are normally carried out by men here in Honduras.
Another challenge is maintaining or improving the country’s MRV levels of confidence and error and coordinating with the remote sensing team so that they can use the forest inventory data.
How did you get involved with the SilvaCarbon program, and what has your experience been like working with the program?
After we concluded the second inventory cycle in 2014, we realized we needed to redesign our inventory and include new variables that were not considered in the first two cycles. SilvaCarbon began providing direct support in 2015.
My experience with SilvaCarbon has been very important on both a personal and institutional level. On a personal level, I have been able to receive technical trainings on a variety of topics, which has allowed me to develop professionally. At the institutional level, we have been able to include topics such as degradation, emissions from forest pests, and mangrove ecosystems in the redesign of the third cycle of INF, which we would not have been able to do without technical assistance from SilvaCarbon. SilvaCarbon’s support was very important when we were tasked with calculating emission factors of the forestry sector as part of our Honduras Reference Level of Forest Emissions report. SilvaCarbon helped us to establish a step-by-step plan, as this was the first time that the country used forest inventory data for calculating emission factors.
Many international donors impose work agendas according to their needs and interests, but SilvaCarbon responds to the needs and interests of the country.
What do you do for fun?
I like to spend quality time with my family, especially with my kids.
What was the last book you read?
La Familia Feliz (The Happy Family) by Guillermo Maldonado.
Have you had a role model, mentor, or other important person in your life who has deeply influenced who you are or what you care about?
My mother has had a huge influence on how I lead my life. She was a woman with a lot of temper, character, discipline, and above all, humility.
Professionally, Carla Ramírez (National Forest Inventory expert at FAO) is my role model. There are very few women in Latin America who are so passionate about issues related to national forest inventories. Although it sounds strange, the machismo in our countries is latent.
If you could give one piece of advice to young professionals in your field, what would it be?
My advice to young professionals who enjoy their work is that they need to have discipline. Many people can be brilliant, but without discipline they won’t achieve much. |
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PUBLICATIONS
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About SilvaCarbon
SilvaCarbon is a multi-agency technical cooperation program of the US Government to strengthen the capacity of selected tropical countries for measuring, monitoring, and reporting forest and terrestrial carbon. Agencies that have contributed to SilvaCarbon include the US Agency for International Development (USAID), US Department of State (DOS), US Forest Service (USFS), US Geological Survey (USGS), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Smithsonian Institution. Program funding is provided by USAID and DOS. Program implementation is led by USFS, USGS, NASA, and EPA.
SilvaCarbon is also the primary US Government contribution to the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI), a body of the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO). SilvaCarbon co-leads the GFOI capacity-building component together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
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