Periodic Report Summary 2 - REDDINESS (Support EO-driven forest and carbon monitoring in Central Africa for REDD)
The first results of the REDDINESS project refer to a large quantitative and qualitative user requirement analysis which has resulted in a redefinition of the project's objectives in Earth observation (EO) forest monitoring and capacity building. Firstly, this requirements analysis includes a state of the art of existing projects, initiatives, negotiations steps to prepare the recommendations document expected at the end of the project. Secondly, a technical review addresses the MRV principles, definition, methods, data, sources of errors and report on the feasibility of the potential EO monitoring niches of our project. The existing methods, data and projects which can be related to REDDINESS have been described with their advantages and shortcomings.
The first analysis of actors and ongoing projects in relation to REDD was performed to identify potentially relevant interactions for REDDINESS which aims to operate in close collaboration and synergy with existing or planned initiatives. This analysis refers specifically to the current status of negotiations, actors and pilot projects in the two countries covered by the project (Congo and Gabon). This contextual analysis indicated that two first pilot projects exist in Congo, which is led by the Congolese National REDD Coordination in collaboration with the German company GAF and with the World Resources Institute (WRI). These projects develop EO systems for two essential REDD products i.e.:
(i) forest change estimation (rate of deforestation and degradation); and
(ii) biomass estimation.
The two projects started before REDDINESS with higher budget envelopes but similar objectives. The collaboration with the WRI project is guaranteed by the presence of its coordinator in the REDDINESS advisory board. The link with the GAF project is supported by the participation of IRD in both consortiums. Moreover, the Congolese CN-REDD who is responsible for coordinating all REDD initiatives in the Republic of Congo is the local partner of REDDINESS (CNIAF). REDDINESS aims to reinforce the ongoing REDD activities in the countries by avoiding duplication.
Subsequently to this state of the art, we conducted a quantitative survey with two main objectives:
(i) to assess the level of knowledge regarding REDD and EO techniques of relevant stakeholders;
(ii) to understand what local users perceive as their main needs in terms of MRV.
This survey confirmed that REDD negotiations are still at an initial stage in the considered countries. Both countries have limited technical and human resources to develop a forest monitoring system meeting UNFCCC requirements. The set up of the survey and the main results can be summarized in the following four sections:
(i) questionnaire structure and survey implementation;
(ii) presentation of participants;
(iii) methodology used for analysis; and
(iv) results.
To analyse and compare stakeholder's responses in an objective way, REDDINESS conducted a quantitative survey. The questionnaire's body includes multiple choice questions about geomatics (data used, expertise, hard and software resources) and the participants' knowledge regarding the REDD mechanism (political and scientific knowledge, interesting products and definitions or parameters which are useful in setting up a MRV). A total of 26 surveys were received corresponding to a 59 % response rate. The involvement of the local and regional project partners (CNIAF, MEF, OSFAC) was key in obtaining this satisfactory response rate.
In the REDD MRV context, the survey questions particularly focused on the types of spatial data and tools used by REDD stakeholders. Nearly all institutions (91 %) produce and use thematic maps. A majority of participants make direct use of optical satellite imagery (70 %) and aerial photographs (61 %) while radar imagery (including satellite radar) is used only by 39 %. LIDAR data acquired by satellite or airplane is relatively unknown (4 and 9 %). The survey also provided information on existing software and technical expertise. ArcGIS / ArcView and MapInfo, the most well-known GIS/mapping software programs, are available in most institutions (87 % and 65 %, respectively). Remote sensing software (e.g. ENVI and ERDAS Imagine) is available in only 26 % of the institutions. Concerning technical expertise, most institutions are able to create geo-referenced databases (70 %) but less than 50 % are able to perform basic image processing, such as unsupervised classifications (48 %). Hence, although a large part of the organizations report a direct use of satellite imagery, in many cases software (and knowledge) for advanced analysis of these data seems unavailable. The understanding of questions was unequal among participants. Unanswered or incomplete answers demonstrate a limited level of knowledge about REDD and MRV implementation. This confirms the need for capacity building on REDD/REDD+ and forest monitoring in the countries involved. REDD projects have a role in strengthening the dissemination of information on the objectives and implementation of REDD, in Africa in general, and in the Congo Basin in particular.
During these first months of REDDINESS, a particular REDD decision process has been carried out to focus on one niche of EO monitoring to support national MRV systems. A strong point of our project is the extensive analysis of user requirements and existing initiatives. In addition we have summarised key choices to be made in any planned REDD earth observation activity. In our view, these activities could highly benefit other REDD projects within and also outside the Central African region. The consortium decided to focus on an evaluation of monitoring options for the assessment of forest degradation by using optical and radar data at high and very high resolution (0.5 - 30 m). This decision relies partly on the user requirements analysis.
The first analysis of actors and ongoing projects in relation to REDD was performed to identify potentially relevant interactions for REDDINESS which aims to operate in close collaboration and synergy with existing or planned initiatives. This analysis refers specifically to the current status of negotiations, actors and pilot projects in the two countries covered by the project (Congo and Gabon). This contextual analysis indicated that two first pilot projects exist in Congo, which is led by the Congolese National REDD Coordination in collaboration with the German company GAF and with the World Resources Institute (WRI). These projects develop EO systems for two essential REDD products i.e.:
(i) forest change estimation (rate of deforestation and degradation); and
(ii) biomass estimation.
The two projects started before REDDINESS with higher budget envelopes but similar objectives. The collaboration with the WRI project is guaranteed by the presence of its coordinator in the REDDINESS advisory board. The link with the GAF project is supported by the participation of IRD in both consortiums. Moreover, the Congolese CN-REDD who is responsible for coordinating all REDD initiatives in the Republic of Congo is the local partner of REDDINESS (CNIAF). REDDINESS aims to reinforce the ongoing REDD activities in the countries by avoiding duplication.
Subsequently to this state of the art, we conducted a quantitative survey with two main objectives:
(i) to assess the level of knowledge regarding REDD and EO techniques of relevant stakeholders;
(ii) to understand what local users perceive as their main needs in terms of MRV.
This survey confirmed that REDD negotiations are still at an initial stage in the considered countries. Both countries have limited technical and human resources to develop a forest monitoring system meeting UNFCCC requirements. The set up of the survey and the main results can be summarized in the following four sections:
(i) questionnaire structure and survey implementation;
(ii) presentation of participants;
(iii) methodology used for analysis; and
(iv) results.
To analyse and compare stakeholder's responses in an objective way, REDDINESS conducted a quantitative survey. The questionnaire's body includes multiple choice questions about geomatics (data used, expertise, hard and software resources) and the participants' knowledge regarding the REDD mechanism (political and scientific knowledge, interesting products and definitions or parameters which are useful in setting up a MRV). A total of 26 surveys were received corresponding to a 59 % response rate. The involvement of the local and regional project partners (CNIAF, MEF, OSFAC) was key in obtaining this satisfactory response rate.
In the REDD MRV context, the survey questions particularly focused on the types of spatial data and tools used by REDD stakeholders. Nearly all institutions (91 %) produce and use thematic maps. A majority of participants make direct use of optical satellite imagery (70 %) and aerial photographs (61 %) while radar imagery (including satellite radar) is used only by 39 %. LIDAR data acquired by satellite or airplane is relatively unknown (4 and 9 %). The survey also provided information on existing software and technical expertise. ArcGIS / ArcView and MapInfo, the most well-known GIS/mapping software programs, are available in most institutions (87 % and 65 %, respectively). Remote sensing software (e.g. ENVI and ERDAS Imagine) is available in only 26 % of the institutions. Concerning technical expertise, most institutions are able to create geo-referenced databases (70 %) but less than 50 % are able to perform basic image processing, such as unsupervised classifications (48 %). Hence, although a large part of the organizations report a direct use of satellite imagery, in many cases software (and knowledge) for advanced analysis of these data seems unavailable. The understanding of questions was unequal among participants. Unanswered or incomplete answers demonstrate a limited level of knowledge about REDD and MRV implementation. This confirms the need for capacity building on REDD/REDD+ and forest monitoring in the countries involved. REDD projects have a role in strengthening the dissemination of information on the objectives and implementation of REDD, in Africa in general, and in the Congo Basin in particular.
During these first months of REDDINESS, a particular REDD decision process has been carried out to focus on one niche of EO monitoring to support national MRV systems. A strong point of our project is the extensive analysis of user requirements and existing initiatives. In addition we have summarised key choices to be made in any planned REDD earth observation activity. In our view, these activities could highly benefit other REDD projects within and also outside the Central African region. The consortium decided to focus on an evaluation of monitoring options for the assessment of forest degradation by using optical and radar data at high and very high resolution (0.5 - 30 m). This decision relies partly on the user requirements analysis.