Approaches to classifying and restoring degraded tropical forests for the anticipated REDD+ climate change mitigation mechanism

Abstract

Inclusion of improved forest management as a way to enhance carbon sinks in the Copenhagen Accord of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (December 2009) suggests that forest restoration will play a role in global climate change mitigation under the post-Kyoto agreement. Although discussions about restoration strategies often pertain solely to severely degraded tropical forests and invoke only the enrichment planting option, different approaches to restoration are needed to counter the full range of degrees of degradation. We propose approaches for restoration of forests that range from being slightly to severely degraded. Our methods start with ceasing the causes of degradation and letting forests regenerate on their own, progress through active management of natural regeneration in degraded areas to accelerate tree regeneration and growth, and finally include the stage of degradation at which re-planting is necessary. We argue that when the appropriate techniques are employed, forest restoration is cost-effective relative to conventional planting, provides abundant social and ecological co-benefits, and results in the sequestration of substantial amounts of carbon. For forest restoration efforts to succeed, a supportive post-Kyoto agreement is needed as well as appropriate national policies, institutional arrangements, and local participation

Using Annual Landsat Time Series for the Detection of Dry Forest Degradation Processes in South-Central Angola

“…The program "Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries" (REDD+) aims at reducing the impact on climate change, conserving biology, and protecting ecosystem services by increasing carbon reductions [26]. However, one general method to measure carbon across the landscape does not yet exist and the aspect of forest degradation in this context has long been disregarded [26,27]. Remote sensing in combination with ground data has been identified as being one of the key methods to map and monitor forest dynamics [28], partially because historical trends (including deforestation, afforestation, forest degradation, and regeneration) can only be identified with space-based remote sensing time series due to the poor ground data availability in many developing countries [29].…”

Coral larvae spreading based on oceanographic condition in Biawak Islands, West Java, Indonesia

“…One of the most important factors of biodiversity loss is deforestation and forest degradation (Sodhi et al 2004;Harris et al 2012). Although forest degradation has a broad definition, it is often associated with a reduction in forest biomass (Sasaki and Putz 2009;Sasaki et al 2011;Thompson et al 2013). The extensive deforestation and degradation of forests are a significant reason for the biodiversity loss and global warming (Thompson et al 2014).…”

Does degradation from selective logging and illegal activities differently impact forest resources? A case study in Ghana

“…However, it is evident that this protection cannot be granted to all the forest fragments of the region, while on the edges of NPs, such as Ankasa, economic problems are causing an increase in anthropogenic pressure (Damnyag et al 2013). In order to avoid further depletion of forest resources within and around protected areas, viable management solutions, such as the European Union FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) facility should be strengthened (RamcilovicSuominen et al 2010), as well as smart and cost-effective restoration approaches (Sasaki et al 2011).…”