Long-Term Studies
Belize National Forest Monitoring System 2001-2020BackgroundBelize’s diverse ecosystems, land tenure systems, and land-use dynamics require a robust and flexible National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS). Early efforts focused on establishing permanent forest inventory plots in the late 1990s to address data gaps in forest structure and carbon dynamics. Over time, Belize has expanded its forest monitoring framework to integrate both ground-based and remote sensing approaches, ensuring transparency, consistency, and national ownership of forest data systems. Open access copy available |
Framework for National Forest Monitoring SystemBackgroundOpen access copy available |
National forest monitoring system assessment tool – Quick guidanceBackgroundOpen access copy available |
User-Driven Land Cover Change Prediction Map Tool for Land Conservation PlanningBackgroundEffective conservation planning requires forward-looking tools that anticipate land cover change, rather than relying solely on historical analysis. Rapid urbanization and land-use change threaten ecosystems and biodiversity, particularly in regions experiencing development pressure. Traditional models often lack accessibility for nontechnical users, limiting their application in real-world decision-making. Integrating machine learning with user-friendly platforms can enhance stakeholder engagement and improve conservation outcomes. Open access copy available |
Afforestation and Reforestation Have Varying Biodiversity Impacts Across and Within BiomesBackgroundAfforestation and reforestation (AR) are widely promoted as nature-based solutions (NbS) for carbon dioxide removal and climate mitigation. Global initiatives aim to expand forest cover significantly to meet climate targets. However, AR can produce unintended biodiversity impacts, particularly when implemented in ecosystems such as grasslands or savannas, where native species are not adapted to forest conditions. The ecological outcomes of AR vary across biomes and species, highlighting the need for spatially explicit, biodiversity-sensitive planning frameworks. Open access copy available |
Tipping Points of Amazonian Forests: Beyond Myths and Toward SolutionsBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Strong Climate Mitigation Potential of Rewetting Oil Palm Plantations on Tropical PeatlandsBackgroundTropical peatlands store vast quantities of carbon and therefore play a crucial role in global climate regulation. In Indonesia, extensive areas of peatland have been drained and converted to oil palm plantations and other agricultural uses. Drainage exposes peat to oxygen, accelerating decomposition and releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Since degraded peatlands are estimated to contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, restoration strategies such as peatland rewetting have gained increasing attention as potential natural climate solutions. Open access copy available |
Tropical dry forest land use/land cover change detection using semi-supervised deep learning algorithms and remote sensingBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Remote sensing of drylands: An overviewBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Asian dryland ecohealth progress for land degradation neutralityBackgroundOpen access copy available |
