Achieving forest carbon information with higher certainty: A five-part plan (original) (raw)
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Many scientists and policy makers consider payment for environmental services, particularly carbon payment for forest management, a cost-effective and practical solution to climate change and unsustainable development. In recent years an attractive policy has been discussed under the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+), sustainable management of forest, and conservation and enhancement of carbon in developing countries. This could potentially reward forest-managing communities in developing countries. One of the challenging tasks for the successful implementation of this policy is setting up reliable baseline emissions scenarios based on the historical emissions as input for business as usual projections. Forest biomass measurements, the quantification of carbon stocks, their monitoring, and the observation of these stocks over time, are very important for the development of reference scenario and estimation of carbon stock. This paper reviews a numbers of methods available for estimating forest carbon stocks and growth rates of different forest carbon pools. It also explores the limitations and challenges of these methods for use in different geographical locations, and suggests ways of improving accuracy and precision that reduce uncertainty for the successful implementation of REDD+. Furthermore, the paper assesses the role of remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) techniques in the establishment of a long-term carbon inventory.
Managing Forest Carbon in a Changing Climate, 2011
Accurate measurement of carbon stocks and flux in forests is one of the most important scientific bases for successful climate and carbon policy implementation. A measurement framework for monitoring carbon storage and emissions from forests should provide the core tool to qualify country and project level commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and to monitor the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. Currently, there are several methods for estimating forest carbon stocks and flux, ranging from the relatively simple forest biomass inventory to complex, sophisticated experiments and models. Advanced carbon estimation methodologies such as LiDAR and eddy covariance carbon flux experiments may provide reliable, accurate and transparent data and serve as a basis for market tools and international policymaking such as carbon trading, carbon taxes, and credits for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD, REDD+). Nevertheless, developing countries, which have limited capacity for data collection and management, need low-cost methodologies with acceptable spatial and temporal resolution and appropriate sampling intensity. If a standardized verification system across projects, countries, and regions is to ever be attained, policymakers should be aware that there are different basic approaches to measuring forest carbon, which have advantages and disadvantages, and varying degrees of accuracy and precision. We review the four categories of methods for measuring forest biomass and estimating carbon which are currently in use: i) forest inventory (biomass); ii) remote sensing (relationship between biomass and land cover); iii) eddy covariance (direct * Yale PhD Candidate ** Yale Master of Environmental Science '08, PhD Candidate G Medium spatial-resolution (10-100 m) satellite data are the most suitable for regional level above-ground biomass estimation because of better data availability (spatial and temporal), and the lower cost of acquisition and storage. Since spatial resolution is usually sufficient to compare with inventory measurements, this approach is widely used for forests. G Coarse spatial resolution satellite data (> 100 m) are most effective at large national or continental scales. The use at such scales is limited, however, because of the occurrence of mixed pixels, and differences between scale and resolution of forest inventory measurements. G Aboveground biomass estimation by radar can achieve good accuracy in low and medium density forests, but the relationship between radar backscatter and aboveground biomass weakens when the forest becomes too dense. Its advantage is its ability to penetrate precipitation and cloud cover, and avoid shade/shadow effects from the sun. G Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is an active remote sensing method, analogous to radar, but using laser light instead of microwaves. The technology needs further development to be widely useful in aboveground biomass estimation. j Recent technical, financial and logistical (scheduling) problems with the U.S. remote sensing program highlight the need for more countries or consortiums to provide the international remote sensing community with more options in satellite imagery and Radar/LiDAR data. j Eddy covariance measurements have been continuously made at certain sites for over ten years. New observation sites (especially in tropical forest regions), updated models, and remote sensing data will enable eddy covariance methods to continually refine estimates of CO 2 flux from regional to continental scales, making eddy covariance the world's direct tracking system of carbon flux. G More research needs to be conducted to close the energy budget in eddy covariance measurements and eliminate biases caused by nighttime stratification and complex topography.
Towards a Global Forest Carbon Monitoring and Information System for REDD
2010
Forest degradation a b s t r a c t International negotiations on the inclusion of land use activities into an emissions reduction system for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have been partially hindered by the technical challenges of measuring, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the policy issues of leakage, additionality, and permanence. This paper outlines a five-part plan for estimating forest carbon stocks and emissions with the accuracy and certainty needed to support a policy for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, forest conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (the REDD-plus framework considered at the UNFCCC COP-15) in developing countries. The plan is aimed at UNFCCC non-Annex 1 developing countries, but the principles outlined are also applicable to developed (Annex 1) countries. The parts of the plan are: (1) Expand the number of national forest carbon Measuring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems with a priority on tropical developing countries; (2) Implement continuous global forest carbon assessments through the network of national systems; (3) Achieve commitments from national space agencies for the necessary satellite data; (4) Establish agreed-on standards and independent verification processes to ensure robust reporting; and (5) Enhance coordination among international and multilateral organizations. (D.J. Baker). a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/envsci 1462-9011/$ -see front matter #
Forest Monitoring, Measurement, Reporting and Verification: from Principle to Practice
Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 2013
Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), many tropical developing countries have agreed to participate in the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation as well as conservation and enhancement of carbon stocks and sustainable management of forests (REDD+) programme so as to receive payments for their contribution in reducing emissions from forestry sector. The emission reduction is measured in terms of quantifications of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent, upon which payments are made. To quantify emissions in terms of CO2 equivalent, a process called measurement/monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) has been developed, which forms the backbone of performance-based payment under the REDD+ mechanism. This paper primarily reviews the principles and methods of MRV. By taking the case of the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) of Nepal, a sub-national level proposed project, the paper demonstrates how an institutional mechanism for MRV can be...
Managing Forest Carbon in a Changing Climate
2012
Accurate measurement of carbon stocks and flux in forests is one of the most important scientific bases for successful climate and carbon policy implementation. A measurement framework for monitoring carbon storage and emissions from forests should provide the core tool to qualify country and project level commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and to monitor the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. Currently, there are several methods for estimating forest carbon stocks and flux, ranging from the relatively simple forest biomass inventory to complex, sophisticated experiments and models. Advanced carbon estimation methodologies such as LiDAR and eddy covariance carbon flux experiments may provide reliable, accurate and transparent data and serve as a basis for market tools and international policymaking such as carbon trading, carbon taxes, and credits for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD, REDD+). Nevertheless, developing countries, which have limited capacity for data collection and management, need low-cost methodologies with acceptable spatial and temporal resolution and appropriate sampling intensity. If a standardized verification system across projects, countries, and regions is to ever be attained, policymakers should be aware that there are different basic approaches to measuring forest carbon, which have advantages and disadvantages, and varying degrees of accuracy and precision. We review the four categories of methods for measuring forest biomass and estimating carbon which are currently in use: i) forest inventory (biomass); ii) remote sensing (relationship between biomass and land cover); iii) eddy covariance (direct * Yale PhD Candidate ** Yale Master of Environmental Science '08, PhD Candidate G Medium spatial-resolution (10-100 m) satellite data are the most suitable for regional level above-ground biomass estimation because of better data availability (spatial and temporal), and the lower cost of acquisition and storage. Since spatial resolution is usually sufficient to compare with inventory measurements, this approach is widely used for forests. G Coarse spatial resolution satellite data (> 100 m) are most effective at large national or continental scales. The use at such scales is limited, however, because of the occurrence of mixed pixels, and differences between scale and resolution of forest inventory measurements. G Aboveground biomass estimation by radar can achieve good accuracy in low and medium density forests, but the relationship between radar backscatter and aboveground biomass weakens when the forest becomes too dense. Its advantage is its ability to penetrate precipitation and cloud cover, and avoid shade/shadow effects from the sun. G Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is an active remote sensing method, analogous to radar, but using laser light instead of microwaves. The technology needs further development to be widely useful in aboveground biomass estimation. j Recent technical, financial and logistical (scheduling) problems with the U.S. remote sensing program highlight the need for more countries or consortiums to provide the international remote sensing community with more options in satellite imagery and Radar/LiDAR data. j Eddy covariance measurements have been continuously made at certain sites for over ten years. New observation sites (especially in tropical forest regions), updated models, and remote sensing data will enable eddy covariance methods to continually refine estimates of CO 2 flux from regional to continental scales, making eddy covariance the world's direct tracking system of carbon flux. G More research needs to be conducted to close the energy budget in eddy covariance measurements and eliminate biases caused by nighttime stratification and complex topography.
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 2000
In addition to presenting their papers, workshop attendees shared experiences concerning the development and monitoring of regional and national forestry projects, through their participation in one of two working group sessions. The discussions focused on institutional, economic, methodological, and data availability problems. Group 1 concentrated on data collection and methods for monitoring and verifying GHG flows, while Group 2 discussed the key socio-economic and institutional issues associated with monitoring and verification. Within their focus areas, both groups addressed the questions of what should be monitored, how should monitoring and verification be done, and how can leakages be managed.
National forest carbon inventories: policy needs and assessment capacity
Climatic Change, 2009
Previous research has identified the importance of the role of land cover in the global carbon cycle. In particular, forests have been identified as a significant carbon sink that can mitigate the rate of global climate change. Policy makers are faced with complex and difficult challenges in getting timely and useful information in monitoring global forest resources. Recent advances in the tools and methods of forest carbon accounting have produced new, innovative approaches to forestbased carbon inventories. But it is important as new tools are developed that scientists understand the needs of policy makers and that policy makers understand the capabilities and limitations of forest inventory methods. This paper explores four different policy applications that rely, or could benefit from, national carbon inventories. The goal is to help build a bridge between the communities of climate policy makers and scientists specialized in forest carbon inventories. To this end, we pursue three specific objectives: First we provide an overview for policy makers about approaches to forest carbon inventories, paying particular attention to the contributions of remote sensing technologies. Second, we outline the issues particularly relevant to forest inventory scientists who are interested in responding to public policy needs. We then discuss the tradeoffs between information cost, accuracy, precision, transparency and timeliness that need to be balanced in long-term monitoring of forest carbon. Finally, the article concludes with a series of observations and
2000
The national reporting for the EU Monitoring Mechanism on greenhouse gas emissions and for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change includes data for greenhouse gas emissions/removals from land-use change and forestry. By comparing the reports of EU15 Member States, we identified a lack of transparency, consistency and completeness concerning chapter 5 on land-use change and forestry. For chapter 5A (Changes in forest and other woody biomass stocks) we discuss the differing ways of estimation in detail. In addition to an improved transparency we consider a key requirement, to come to more harmonised approaches and definitions, e.g., with regard to land areas and the factors used to expand from stemwood to total tree biomass. COST E21 may become the forum for supporting the scientific/technical discussion on the issue, provided all Member States of EU15 are participating in the action.