Mapping, Remote Sensing, and GIS
Satellite Data-Based Phenological Evaluation of the Nationwide Reforestation of South KoreaBackgroundSouth Korea's reforestation efforts since the 1950s have been evaluated for changes in biomass, area, and growing stock, but little has been done to study the phenology changes (seasonal changes) and photosynthetic activity, which will help in the preparation of new forest management in light of climate change. Open access copy available |
A tree-based approach to biomass estimation from remote sensing data in a tropical agricultural landscapebackgroundDue to increased global dominance of agricultural lands in the tropics, methods to establish biomass and carbon in agricultural areas are necessary for monitoring and modeling global C stocks. Since tropical agriculture often includes some tree cover, the study seeks to develop above ground biomass estimates using landscape-scale surveys with LiDAR in comparison to plot-level data. Available with subscription or purchase |
Spatial and temporal deforestation dynamics in protected and unprotected dry forests: a case study from Myanmar (Burma)backgroundThis study looks at deforestation impacts and drivers in a tropical dry forest ecosystem of Myanmar (Burma). The study focuses on the Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), one of the largest protected areas of dry forest in Southeast Asia, and the surrounding areas that serve as habitat for the endangered Eld’s deer. Available with subscription or purchase |
Targeted reforestation could reverse declines in connectivity for understory birds in a tropical habitat corridorbackgroundThis study looks at how conservation efforts over the last 25 years have impacted functional connectivity of forest habitat in northeastern Costa Rica’s San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor. The study focuses on insectivorous understory forest birds. Open access copy available |
Assessing Forest Degradation: Towards the Development of Globally Applicable GuidelinesbackgroundThis FAO report defines forest degradation and provides guidelines for assessing levels of degradation with the purpose of influencing policies and forest management plans towards restoration. The report provides directions on how to measure four markers: 1) growing stock and biomass, 2) biodiversity, 3) production of forest goods, and 4) soil erosion. Open access copy available |
Prioritization of Target Areas for Forest RestorationBAckgroundThis is a report on target areas for forest restoration written by World Conservation Monitoring Centre and submitted to WWF International. The purpose of the report was to provide recommendations for prioritization to WWF International and WWF field programs. Open access copy available |
Land Degradation, Less Favored Lands and the Rural Poor: A Spatial and Economic Analysis.BackgroundPrevious studies have examined the differing economic consequences of land degradation for various groups of people, finding that the rural poor of less developed countries rely on some of the most marginal, degraded land. Yet, these studes seignificantly differ in their use of key spatial land and population indicators and the spatially referenced data generated are inadequate for cross-country economic analysis of the impact of land degradation on global poverty. This study aims to rectify these shortcomings. Open access copy available |
Globalization and Forest Resurgence: Changes in Forest Cover in El SalvadorBackgroundThe authors study certain globalization impacts in land-use change in El Salvador. The legacy of war, remittances and international migration are among other factors that have allowed tree resurgence even in highly urban populated areas. This study tracks the different trajectories of forest recovery by analysing remote-sensing satellite images from 1970's to the early 2000's. Open access copy available |
Using Lightweight Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Monitor Tropical Forest RecoveryBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Mapping Species Composition of Forests and Tree Plantations in Northeastern Costa Rica with an Integration of Hyperspectral and Multitemporal Landsat ImagerybackgroundThis article discusses the improvement in accuracy of remote sensing to monitor and evaluate reforestation projects by combining moderate-resolution and hyperspectral imagery with multi temporal, multispectral data. The combination of these technological monitoring methods allows researchers to accurately classify general forest types and tree plantations by species composition. Open access copy available |
