scholarly journals Deriving a Forest Cover Map in Kyrgyzstan Using a Hybrid Fusion Strategy

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 2325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Jia ◽  
Yuqian Li ◽  
Wenzhong Shi ◽  
Ling Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Optimal Size ◽  
Fusion Strategy ◽  
Forest Policies ◽  
Kappa Value ◽  
Hybrid Fusion

Forests have potential economic value and play a significant role in maintaining ecological balance. Considering its outdated and incomplete forest statistics, the Kyrgyzstan Republic urgently needs a forest cover map for assessing its current forest resources and assisting national policies on improving rural livelihood and sustainability. This study adopted a hybrid fusion strategy to develop a forest cover map for the Kyrgyzstan Republic with improved accuracy. The fusion strategy uses the merits of the GlobeLand30 in 2010 and the USGS TreeCover2010, the benefits of auxiliary geographic information, and the advantages of the stacking learning method in classification. Additionally, we explored the influence of different forest definitions, based on the tree cover percentage value in the USGS TreeCover2010, on the accuracy of forest cover. Results suggested that the accuracy of our model can be improved significantly by including auxiliary geographic features and feeding the optimal size of training samples. Thereafter, using our model, forest cover maps were derived at different tree cover threshold values in the USGS TreeCover2010. Importantly, the forest cover map at the tree cover threshold value of 40% was determined as the most accurate one with the kappa value of 0.89, whose spatial extent constitutes about 2.4% of the entire territory. This estimated forest cover percentage suggests a low estimation of forest resources based on rigorous definition, which can be valuable for reviewing and amending the current national forest policies.

Ecologies of the colonial present: Pathological forestry from the taux de boisement to civilized plantations

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana K Davis ◽  
Paul Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
British India ◽  
Early 19Th Century ◽  
Forest Policies ◽  
French Colonial ◽  
The Government

Tree-planting has long been an obsession of postcolonial environmental governance. Never innocent of its imperial history, the practice persists in global regimes of forestry today. For over two centuries, afforestation has been viewed as a panacea for a variety of ills including civilizational decline, diminished precipitation, warming temperatures, soil erosion, and decreasing biodiversity. As a result, tree plantations, despite their demonstrated failings in many environments, have flourished as an art of environmental governance that we term arboreal biopolitics. We trace some of the origins and importance of the taux de boisement in such plantation efforts, typically understood as a percentage of “appropriately” wooded land within a territory. Likely first developed in France by the early 19th century, this notion was operationalized in colonial territories assumed to be massively deforested. Targets of 30–33% forest cover, the minimum assumed for European civilization, were built into French forest training and policy and exported globally. Indeed, we demonstrate here that these French colonial policies and influences were as significant in many regions as those of better documented German forestry traditions, especially in African colonial territories and in British India. We further analyze the implications of these policies, and the degree to which the concept of a taux de boisement appears to have traveled to colonial forestry in India, further shaping forest policies of the postindependence era. We provide the example of the “National Mission for a Green India,” an effort by the Government of India to increase forest/tree cover by 5 million hectares and improve quality of forest cover on another 5 million hectares of forest/nonforest lands. Ostensibly aimed at improving forest-based livelihoods, the initiative has all the qualities of past forestry efforts in India, which have historically performed a reverse role: disinheriting forest-rooted populations. Colonial forestry, we therefore conclude, continues to haunt contemporary policy, contributing pathological ecologies, especially in the drylands, often with pernicious effects on local people.

scholarly journals Evidence that a national REDD+ program reduces tree cover loss and carbon emissions in a high forest cover, low deforestation country

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (49) ◽  
pp. 24492-24499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anand Roopsind ◽  
Brent Sohngen ◽  
Jodi Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Forest Protection ◽  
Forest Policies ◽  
Deforestation Rates ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation Policy ◽  
Implementation Period ◽  
Rich Countries ◽  
The Impact

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is a climate change mitigation policy in which rich countries provide payments to developing countries for protecting their forests. In 2009, the countries of Norway and Guyana entered into one of the first bilateral REDD+ programs, with Norway offering to pay US$250 million to Guyana if annual deforestation rates remained below 0.056% from 2010 to 2015. To quantify the impact of this national REDD+ program, we construct a counterfactual times-series trajectory of annual tree cover loss using synthetic matching. This analytical approach allows us to quantify tree cover loss that would have occurred in the absence of the Norway-Guyana REDD+ program. We found that the Norway-Guyana REDD+ program reduced tree cover loss by 35% during the implementation period (2010 to 2015), equivalent to 12.8 million tons of avoided CO2 emissions. Our analysis indicates that national REDD+ payments attenuated the effect of increases in gold prices, an internationally traded commodity that is the primary deforestation driver in Guyana. Overall, we found strong evidence that the program met the additionality criteria of REDD+. However, we found that tree cover loss increased after the payments ended, and therefore, our results suggest that without continued payments, forest protection is not guaranteed. On the issue of leakage, which is complex and difficult to quantify, a multinational REDD+ program for a region could address leakage that results from differences in forest policies between neighboring countries.

scholarly journals Evaluating Forest Cover and Fragmentation in Costa Rica with a Corrected Global Tree Cover Map

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 3226
Author(s):  
Daniel Cunningham ◽  
Paul Cunningham ◽  
Matthew E. Fagan
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Forest Area ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Agricultural Crop ◽  
Forest Change ◽  
Alos Palsar ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
The Impact

Global tree cover products face challenges in accurately predicting tree cover across biophysical gradients, such as precipitation or agricultural cover. To generate a natural forest cover map for Costa Rica, biases in tree cover estimation in the most widely used tree cover product (the Global Forest Change product (GFC) were quantified and corrected, and the impact of map biases on estimates of forest cover and fragmentation was examined. First, a forest reference dataset was developed to examine how the difference between reference and GFC-predicted tree cover estimates varied along gradients of precipitation and elevation, and nonlinear statistical models were fit to predict the bias. Next, an agricultural land cover map was generated by classifying Landsat and ALOS PalSAR imagery (overall accuracy of 97%) to allow removing six common agricultural crops from estimates of tree cover. Finally, the GFC product was corrected through an integrated process using the nonlinear predictions of precipitation and elevation biases and the agricultural crop map as inputs. The accuracy of tree cover prediction increased by ≈29% over the original global forest change product (the R2 rose from 0.416 to 0.538). Using an optimized 89% tree cover threshold to create a forest/nonforest map, we found that fragmentation declined and core forest area and connectivity increased in the corrected forest cover map, especially in dry tropical forests, protected areas, and designated habitat corridors. By contrast, the core forest area decreased locally where agricultural fields were removed from estimates of natural tree cover. This research demonstrates a simple, transferable methodology to correct for observed biases in the Global Forest Change product. The use of uncorrected tree cover products may markedly over- or underestimate forest cover and fragmentation, especially in tropical regions with low precipitation, significant topography, and/or perennial agricultural production.

scholarly journals India’s Commitments to Increase Tree and Forest Cover: Consequences for Water Supply and Agriculture Production within the Central Indian Highlands

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 959
Author(s):  
Benjamin Clark ◽  
Ruth DeFries ◽  
Jagdish Krishnaswamy
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Hydrological Modeling ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Forest Policy ◽  
Central India ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Policy Goals ◽  
The Impact

As part of its nationally determined contributions as well as national forest policy goals, India plans to boost tree cover to 33% of its land area. Land currently under other uses will require tree-plantations or reforestation to achieve this goal. This paper examines the effects of converting cropland to tree or forest cover in the Central India Highlands (CIH). The paper examines the impact of increased forest cover on groundwater infiltration and recharge, which are essential for sustainable Rabi (winter, non-monsoon) season irrigation and agricultural production. Field measurements of saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) linked to hydrological modeling estimate increased forest cover impact on the CIH hydrology. Kfs tests in 118 sites demonstrate a significant land cover effect, with forest cover having a higher Kfs of 20.2 mm hr−1 than croplands (6.7mm hr−1). The spatial processes in hydrology (SPHY) model simulated forest cover from 2% to 75% and showed that each basin reacts differently, depending on the amount of agriculture under paddy. Paddy agriculture can compensate for low infiltration through increased depression storage, allowing for continuous infiltration and groundwater recharge. Expanding forest cover to 33% in the CIH would reduce groundwater recharge by 7.94 mm (−1%) when converting the average cropland and increase it by 15.38 mm (3%) if reforestation is conducted on non-paddy agriculture. Intermediate forest cover shows however shows potential for increase in net benefits.

scholarly journals Effects of Windthrows on Forest Cover, Tree Growth and Soil Characteristics in Drought-Prone Pine Plantations

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 817
Author(s):  
Jesús Julio Camarero ◽  
Michele Colangelo ◽  
Antonio Gazol ◽  
Manuel Pizarro ◽  
Cristina Valeriano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Pinus Halepensis ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Mediterranean Forests ◽  
Soil Microbial Community Structure ◽  
Soil Features ◽  
Disturbance Intensity

Windstorms are forest disturbances which generate canopy gaps. However, their effects on Mediterranean forests are understudied. To fill that research gap, changes in tree, cover, growth and soil features in Pinus halepensis and Pinus sylvestris plantations affected by windthrows were quantified. In each plantation, trees and soils in closed-canopy stands and gaps created by the windthrow were sampled. Changes in tree cover and radial growth were assessed by using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and dendrochronology, respectively. Soil features including texture, nutrients concentration and soil microbial community structure were also analyzed. Windthrows reduced tree cover and enhanced growth, particularly in the P. halepensis site, which was probably more severely impacted. Soil characteristics were also more altered by the windthrow in this site: the clay percentage increased in gaps, whereas K and Mg concentrations decreased. The biomass of Gram positive bacteria and actinomycetes increased in gaps, but the biomass of Gram negative bacteria and fungi decreased. Soil gaps became less fertile and dominated by bacteria after the windthrow in the P. halepensis site. We emphasize the relevance of considering post-disturbance time recovery and disturbance intensity to assess forest resilience within a multi-scale approach.

Urban Trees and Water Use in Arid Climates: Insights from an Integrated Bioeconomic-Health Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
pp. 1850022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin A. Jones ◽  
John Fleck
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Urban Trees ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Value Of Water ◽  
Health Model

Managing outdoor water use while maintaining urban tree cover is a key challenge for water managers in arid climates. Urban trees generate flows of ecosystem services in arid areas, but also require significant amounts of irrigation. In this paper, a bioeconomic-health model of trees and water use is developed to investigate management of an urban forest canopy when irrigation is costly, water has economic value, and trees provide ecosystem services. The optimal tree irrigation decision is illustrated for Albuquerque, New Mexico, an arid Southwest US city. Using a range of monetary values for water, we find that the tree irrigation decision is sensitive to the value selected. Urban deforestation is optimal when the value of water is sufficiently high, or alternatively starts low, but grows to cross a specific threshold. If, however, the value of water is sufficiently low or if the value of tree cover rises over time, then deforestation is not optimal. The threshold value of water where the switch is made between zero and partial deforestation is well within previously identified ranges on actual water values. This model can be applied generally to study the tradeoffs between urban trees and water use in arid environments.

scholarly journals Forest Cover Index for tree cover detection using Landsat-7 multispectral imagery

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Feliciano-Cruz ◽  
Sarah Becker ◽  
Kristofer Lasko ◽  
Craig Daughtry ◽  
Andrew Russ
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Multispectral Imagery ◽  
Landsat 7

scholarly journals THE VOLUME OF WOOD FOREST RESOURCES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna TURCZAK
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Causal Analysis ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Forest Area ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Growing Stock ◽  
European Union Countries ◽  
Two Factors

The contributions of forests to the well-being of humankind are extraordinarily vast and far-reaching. They are an important element in mitigating climate change. The aim of the paper is to determine the influence of particular factors on the diversity of the European Union countries in terms of the amount of wood forest resources compared with the country size. Two factors affecting the variable have been analysed in the paper: 1) the growing stock per 1 hectare of forest area and 2) the quotient of the forest area and the land area without inland water. Those two independent variables are directly proportional to the dependent variable, thus the higher the growing stock density and the higher the forest cover, the bigger the amount of wood forest resources of the analysed country. The causal analysis allowed to answer the question how the two factors affect the variable considered in the twenty eight countries, namely, what the direction and the strength of their influence are. The logarithmic method was used to carry out the causal analysis. The average results obtained for the entire European Union were compared with those received for each country separately and, on this basis, final conclusions were drawn. Data for 2005, 2010 and 2015 have been used for all needed calculations.

scholarly journals Indonesia’s Forest Resource Monitoring

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Arunarwati Margono ◽  
Ahmad Basyirudin Usman ◽  
Budiharto . ◽  
Ruandha Agung Sugardiman
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Classification Scheme ◽  
Selection Method ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Forest Resource ◽  
Resource Monitoring ◽  
Development Data

Forest cover in term of distribution, extent and types, is major information required to manage the forest resources. Notably for Indonesia, which covers by approximately 98 Mha (>50%) forests, consist of 93 Mha (49.6%) natural forest and 5 Mha (2.6%) plantations forest. The forests are invaluable, including significantly preserve carbon, maintain unique biodiversity, support water and mineral cycle, as well as support local and global community. Here we report efforts have been made for years in the Ministry of Forestry for providing land cover information. Those efforts are including early development, data sources selection, method employed, techniques, and classification scheme, as well as problem encountered and approach for improvements.

scholarly journals Analisis Manfaat Ekonomi Taman Hutan Raya Sultan Syarif Hasyim Pekanbaru

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Muhibbin Annas ◽  
Suardi Tarumun ◽  
Tengku Nurhidayah
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Soil Sampling ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Plot Sampling ◽  
Carbon Saturation

The aims of these research are ; 1) to analyze the economic value of Taman Hutan Raya Sultan Syarif Hasyim, consist of : log value, carbon value and reducing soil erosion value. 2) to analyze some alternatives policies to meet the sustainable management of Tahura Sultan Syarif Hasyim, Pekanbaru. The research was held on Taman Hutan Raya Sultan Syarif Hasyim, Pekanbaru from August to November 2014. The methode of research is survey and the analysist methode is descriptive kuantitative analysist. The primary data are collected with line plot sampling and soil sampling. The results show that the economic value of 2,412 ha (the remaining Tahura area covered by forest) are: log value IDR 2,434,799,820.00 year-1, carbon value IDR 18,718,898,525.19 year-1 consist: carbon sink value IDR 5,919,446,552.45 year-1 and carbon saturation value IDR 12,799,451,972.74 year-1. The reducing erosion value IDR 83,349,849,057.00 year-1. To optimalize the economic value, the policies are: 1) To restore the Tahura area directly into conservation forest with forest cover. 2) To restore the Tahura area gradually into conservation forest with forest cover and 3) To restore Tahura by collaborating management.

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