Climate and Forests: The Case for Action Now

UNFCCC COP-12 15th November 2006

www.sarvision.nl

Envirosecurity Envirosecurity AssessmentsAssessments

Protecting and Managing the Natural Resource BaseProtecting and Managing the Natural Resource Base

The role of remote sensingThe role of remote sensingearth observationearth observation

www.envirosecurity.org

Advancement in satellite data availability and computing

power now enables systematic dynamic ecosystem monitoring

Systematic monitoring

Systematic monitoring

IES approach proactive ecosystem monitoring:

From global regional satellite imaging (250 – 1000 m detail)…

… to local satellite imaging (10 – 60 m detail)

In support of action on the ground by local agencies and communities

1. Regional coverage1. Regional coverageCovering South America, Africa, Southern Asia

Purpose:

- Identify potential problem areas (hotspots of land use/cover change)- Identify extent of problems

-> influence policy making and management-> raise awareness public at large

Example peat forests Insular SE Asia…

Systematic monitoring

EU JRC GLC2000 best map but outdated! Forest: dark green

50 km

Static map...

Example insular SE Asia

SarVision 1999-00 Peat forest: in brown areas

50 km

Dynamic map series

Example insular SE Asia

SarVision 1999-12 Deforestation: red | Peat forest: in brown areas

50 km

Dynamic map series

Example insular SE Asia

SarVision 2000-12 Deforestation: red | Peat forest: in brown areas

50 km

Dynamic map series

Example insular SE Asia

SarVision 2001-12 Deforestation: red | Peat forest: in brown areas

50 km

Dynamic map series

Example insular SE Asia

SarVision 2002-12 Deforestation: red | Peat forest: in brown areas

50 km

Dynamic map series

Example insular SE Asia

SarVision 2003-12 Deforestation: red | Peat forest: in brown areas

50 km

Dynamic map series

Example insular SE Asia

SarVision 2004-12 Deforestation: red | Peat forest: in brown areas

50 km

Dynamic map series

Example insular SE Asia

SarVision 2005-12 Deforestation: red | Peat forest: in brown areas

50 km

Dynamic map series

Example insular SE Asia

SarVision 2006-06 Deforestation: red | Peat forest: in brown areas

50 km

Dynamic map series

Example insular SE Asia

Fires on peat swamp forest

Severe fires on (converted) peatlands occur yearly, result in smoke and haze a.o. endangering traffic on one of world’s key sea straits

Red: deforestation 1998 - June 2005

Fires on peat swamp forest

Severe fires on (converted) peatlands occur yearly, result in smoke and haze a.o. endangering traffic on one of world’s key sea straits

MODIS image June 2005 - Red dots: fires

Courtesy MODIS Rapid Response Team

Peat swamp deforestation rate might now be 3-4 times higher than in non-peat areas and is still accelerating,

having huge implications for global climate:

Degradation and deforestation of peat lands leads to massive CO2 emissions that have so far been

overlooked!(Wetlands International and Delft Hydraulics)

Regional - DeforestationRelative total vs PSF area decline Insular SE Asia

90.00

91.00

92.00

93.00

94.00

95.0096.00

97.00

98.00

99.00

100.00

Year

Are

a r

em

ain

ing

sin

ce

19

99

Total forest decline

Peat forest decline

Preliminary results presented at UNFCCC CoP

Nairobi, 07-11-2006

2. Local coverage2. Local coverageZoom in to hotspot areas a) with higher detail radar, b) follow up on ground

Purpose:

- support local government and communities to take targeted action where needed: e.g. providing independent proof of illegal logging and forest conversion, support fire fighting

- provide the accountability and transparency required by investors for payments for ecosystem services, monitor contract implementation

Systematic monitoring

Targeted field response

Check on the ground on foot by car or by ultra-light aircraft: large area, poor access

Kalimantan: Local surveillance (fires, illegal logging etc.) carried out by local community members using ultra-light aircraft equipped with Global Positioning System and digital video camera.

GPS: pilot can refly transects in unmarked terrain

Traditional satellites suffer from clouds

Local monitoring

New road constructed

Recent canopy damage..

Forest conversion

Local monitoring

Radar sees through clouds

…due to fire

Local monitoring

Radar sees through clouds

Targeted field responseFire fighting and prevention

-> Targeted law enforcement park managers and local police

Targeted field responseIllegal logging response

(Illegal logging by outsiders!)

Envisat ASAR radar image May 2006

Illegal according to Law Act of Forestry Nr. 41/99 and Biodiversity Nr 5/90

Targeted field response

National Park

Park boundary

New road developed

Fires

Park management support

Internet-interface

Dissemination of map series and information

at IES Internet portal:

Awareness raising

Informed decision making

Transparency and accountability to all stakeholders

What is happening whereeach month?

Everyone can log in on Internet to watch..

Make data available

Deforestation in reserve last month

Internet-interface

Concluding remarks

Systematic dynamic satellite monitoring can help:

- identify trends and raise awareness on the extent of problems (e.g. peat deforestation) with policy makers, managers and public at large

- support local government and communities to monitor and manage their forests

- foster viable climate for forest sector investments: independent proof the forest is still there, it is managed well

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!

More information: info@sarvision.nl

http://www.sarvision.nl/vision/ies.html