SilvaCarbon is providing technical support to the Cameroon Department of Forest Inventory for implementation of the next National Forest Inventory (NFI). This support has been focused on revising and adopting a new forest field inventory field manual and reviewing the existing NFI institutional framework. Contact: Olivier Sene, olivier.sene@fs-ip.us.

 

SilvaCarbon facilitated a training for members of Cameroon’s national Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) team on the use of the Continuous Degradation Detection (CODED) tool to estimate and monitor forest degradation. CODED is an algorithm developed for monitoring low-magnitude forest disturbances using freely available Landsat data in conjunction with the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Contact: Olivier Sene, olivier.sene@fs-ip.us.

 

SilvaCarbon has been supporting the Cameroon MRV team to revise a national forest/non-forest map and produce an atlas of forest and land cover change maps from 2000 to 2018. The atlas is currently being finalized and will be endorsed by the Cameroon government upon completion. Contact: Olivier Sene, olivier.sene@fs-ip.us.

 

SilvaCarbon, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), conducted a series of virtual training sessions for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Department of Forest Inventory and Zoning (DIAF) to support improved estimation of forest cover change. The training series focused on analyzing forest degradation using the CODED tool, following up on an initial introductory training provided in January. Contact: Vanessa Filippini, vanessa.filippini@fs-ip.us.

 

A SilvaCarbon-supported workshop for partners in the Republic of the Congo (ROC) focused on reviewing the greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to inform the preparation of the country’s Third National Communication. The objectives of the workshop were to (1) support national experts, professionals, and other stakeholders in understanding the concepts, elements, and reporting requirements resulting from negotiations at the UNFCCC Conference of Parties with regards to the measurement, notification, and verification framework applicable to developing countries; and (2) take stock of the preparation of the Third National Communication through the facilitation of exchanges between the different thematic working groups involved in the exercise. The workshop was coordinated by the ROC Climate Fellow. Contact: René Siwe, rene.siwe@fs-ip.us.

 

SilvaCarbon has been supporting a series of ongoing technical workshops, together with partners, focused on assessing forest cover change in ROC. In September, a collaboration with the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN) and FAO provided targeted training to national experts on the use of the Collect Earth Online (CEO) tool to generate Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)-compliant land cover/use statistics. In October, a training was held to strengthen knowledge and skills in the application of the CODED tool, following a previous introductory training. The next two workshops, scheduled for January – March 2021, will contribute to the determination of IPCC-compliant land use change statistics to inform the country’s First Biennial Update Report. The workshops are coordinated by the ROC Climate Fellow in conjunction with others. Contact: René Siwe, rene.siwe@fs-ip.us.

 

An August workshop supported by SilvaCarbon focused on strengthening the capacity of the National Center for the Inventory and Management of Forest and Wildlife Resources (CNIAF) to use the R statistical program for forest monitoring applications. Background knowledge on R will enhance the ability of national experts to analyze NFI data and derive emission factors. This training is envisioned as a prerequisite for a subsequent training on applying the Open Foris Calc tool in NFI data analysis. The workshop was coordinated by the ROC Climate Fellow. Contact: René Siwe, rene.siwe@fs-ip.us.

 

With SilvaCarbon support, ROC is establishing a computer network system and central server to consolidate and store data and information related to the National Forest Monitoring System. The first phase of network installation has been completed and a protocol has been established for structuring, storing, backing up, and archiving data on the server. Data and information (satellite images, vector files, raster data, reports, photos, etc.) has been stored on the central server and access rights given to members of the MRV Cell and other CNIAF staff. The server has the capacity to store all datasets available in the institution. The database management unit of the MRV Cell will receive training on how to manage and maintain the system. This effort is coordinated by the ROC Climate Fellow. Contact: René Siwe, rene.siwe@fs-ip.us.

 

SilvaCarbon is supporting targeted online training in GHG accounting for members of the ROC national MRV Cell and the Technical Working Group on Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) for the preparation of the Third National GHG Communication. The online courses are provided through the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute. The first course, IPCC 501 – Introduction and Cross-cutting Issues, enables participants to learn fundamental processes and techniques for compiling an inventory of GHG emissions and removals. The second course, IPCC 541 – Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use, provides lessons on the emission sources and removal sinks and estimation methodologies for the forestry and other land use sector based on the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. This effort is coordinated by the ROC Climate Fellow. Contact: René Siwe, rene.siwe@fs-ip.us. 

 

As part of SilvaCarbon’s technical support to the Biocarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (ISFL) program in Ethiopia, a draft GHG livestock inventory for the Oromia region was completed and is currently undergoing technical review. Livestock data collection survey tools were developed and tested in the field with over 70 smallholder farmer interviews, resulting in a list of recommendations. Finally, a data gaps analysis was completed that outlines areas that can be addressed to improve livestock emission data quality and availability. The aim these efforts is to inform the establishment of an operational MRV livestock system in Oromia under the ISFL program. Contact: Olivia Freeman, olivia.freeman@fs-ip.us. 

 

SilvaCarbon is assisting partners in Zambia to meet the emissions reductions requirements for the ISFL program in Zambia (ZIFLP). The development of an online REDD+ registry has begun with initial consultations held and a web interface designed. Technical support is being provided to the Zambia Environmental Management Agency and cross-sectoral Government agencies. This support has included a stakeholder consultation on GHG data availability and collection for the agriculture and livestock sectors, a review of the draft ZIFLP emission baseline, and backstopping sector leads and technical working groups (April – September 2020). Contact: Sebastian Wesselman, sebastian.wesselman@fs-ip.us and Keyvan Izadi, keyvan.izadi@fs-ip.us. 

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The next two workshops in a SilvaCarbon-supported series focusing on assessing forest cover change in ROC will be held in Brazzaville in early 2021. The workshops will (1) elaborate the interpretation protocol to guide data collection and interpretation for the period 1990-2017 using CEO; and (2) apply the established protocol to visually interpret satellite images and collect data related to land use/cover changes for the specified period using CEO. The outcome of the exercise will be the determination of IPCC-compliant land use change statistics that will inform the country’s First Biennial Update Report. Contact: René Siwe, rene.siwe@fs-ip.us.

 

A SilvaCarbon-supported training workshop will be organized in Ouesso, ROC for Ministerial personnel in the Sangha and Likouala administrative departments in early 2021. The workshop is designed to strengthen capacities to monitor and measure emissions and removals in the Emission Reduction Program for the two departments. Contact: René Siwe, rene.siwe@fs-ip.us.

The second in a series of SilvaCarbon E-learning modules will be launched in early January 2021. The course will cover the Continuous Degradation Detection (CODED) tool. Future E-learning courses will address topics such as LandTrendr, Continuous Change Detection and Classification (CCDC), and Google Earth Engine basics (GEE101). The courses will be accessible via the US Department of Interior University. Contact: Sylvia Wilson, snwilson@usgs.gov.

 

SilvaCarbon is initiating a new global effort to better understand and address gender issues within the field of forest and carbon monitoring and MRV. The SilvaCarbon Women in Forest Carbon Initiative is comprised of two complementary components:

Initial findings from the gender study will be released in early 2021. The mentorship program will also be launched in early 2021. Contact: Sylvia Wilson (USGS), snwilson@usgs.gov and Sasha Gottlieb (USFS), sasha.gottlieb@usda.gov.

 

 

SilvaCarbon engages a diverse international community of forest and carbon monitoring practitioners, experts, and program leaders. The individuals in this community share similar professions but have unique backgrounds and interests. This Partner Profile interview series recognizes SilvaCarbon community members from around the globe and provides a platform to share their stories.
 

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What is your job, and what work do you do in that role?? 

I am the Head of Forest Inventory Work Division at DIAF (Forest Inventory and Zoning Directorate in the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development). I am also the focal point of the ITTO organization (International Tropical Timber Organization in the DRC) and focal point for the Forest Resources Assessment (FRA/FAO).

What is your background and how did you end up in your current job? 

I was hired in 1978 by DIAF (at the time known as SPIAF: permanent forest inventory service but later changed to DIAF). I started my career as a photo interpreter and then held many positions including  Remote Sensing Charge and Office Manager for Tele-detection & GIS before becoming the Head of the Forest Inventory Division.

What is your organization’s mission and why is it important to you? 

The main mission of the DIAF is to know and understand the DRC's forest resources. This includes dendrometric (botanical), soil, wildlife and socio-economic knowledge related to forests. The mission of DIAF is important because it allows the country to better manage its forests, biodiversity, its forest biomass (forest carbon) and its species. It also provides economic control over timber, sawing, peeling, veneering, and a better knowledge of the forest volume intended for timber exploitation at the local and international level.

What are you most excited or passionate about in your work?  

I am a forester and I love the forests of my country.

What is the greatest challenge and the greatest opportunity you face in your work? 

The major challenges I encounter are to know the forest well, to seek to develop it, and to fight against deforestation and degradation. A second challenge is to make the Congolese people understand the importance of good forest management, and to help the Congolese state manage its forest sustainably.

The country does not have sufficient means to manage its forests, but international donors that know the issues have financed our work. Part of the reason for this is that our forests play an important role in the face of global warming. They do photosynthesis during the 12 months of the year and capture the carbon dioxide emitted by the industries, planes, etc., and so it is the financing of the international groups, through development agencies such as FAO, USFS, JICA, and the World Bank that generate opportunities for us.

What has your experience been like working with the SilvaCarbon program? 

I have actively participated in the program as the inventory manager. Through the program we benefited from training courses for engineers on topics such as soil analysis (methodology), bamboo analysis (USFS), micro study and macro zoning (USFS), training on wet forests (USFS), and allometric equations. The SilvaCarbon program has especially raised the level of scientific knowledge of the DIAF in soil analysis, carbon capitalization (allometric equation), and forest zoning.

As you consider the next five years, what do you hope to accomplish in your work? 

Over the next five years we want to continue major inventory work. Our country is very big, so it is going to take time. We would also like to develop the soil map of the country (soil analysis and structure), create detailed maps of peatland areas – the Congo Basin peatlands are the largest tropical peatlands in the world. We would also like the DRC to have its own allometric equations.

What is one thing about you that others might be surprised to learn?

I am a righteous man. This is how I push the technicians under my management to work with absolute honesty. I am also involved in community development in my neighborhood. I help the orphans through my prayer group.

Do you have a role model or mentor who has significantly influenced you? 

My mentor is my former director Kan Mbinzi. He was a man of values. His way of working inspired me a lot. My role models are also partners with whom we have been working for many years, Canadian Friends, and colleagues from FAO, USFS, JICA, etc. I take a lot of inspiration from them because without the partners, we could not evolve as we have. All these people gave me the desire to work properly until the end of my career.

What piece of advice would you give to young professionals in your field?

Do not stop studying, reading, and learning. Avoid making life easy! This is a way of life that I teach both my children and the technicians in my division. That's what they affectionately call me Papa.  

Is there anything else you would like to share with the SilvaCarbon community?

Let's be united! Do not give up on the DRC, keep helping us.