Monitoring forest degradation from charcoal production with historical Landsat imagery. A case study in southern Mozambique

Abstract

We used historical Landsat imagery to monitor forest degradation from charcoal production in the main supplying region of the Mozambican capital, Maputo, during a ten-year period (2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018). We applied a change detection method that exploits temporal NDVI dynamics associated with charcoal production. This forest degradation temporal sequence exposes the magnitude and the spatial and temporal dynamics of charcoal production, which is the main forest degradation driver in sub-Saharan Africa. The annual area under charcoal production has been steadily increasing since 2008 and reached 11 673 ha in 2018. The total forest degraded extent in the study area during the 10year study period covered 79 630 ha, which represents 68% of the available mopane woodlands in 2008. Only 5% of the available mopane woodlands area remain undisturbed in the study area. Total gross carbon emissions associated charcoal production during this 10-year period were estimated in 1.13 Mt. These results mark forest degradation from charcoal production as the main driver of forest cover change in southern Mozambique. They also denote that, while charcoal production may be relatively localized in space, its implications for forest cover change and carbon emissions in a sub-Saharan African context are relevant at larger geographical scales. This study represents a proof of concept of the feasibility of medium resolution Earth observation data to monitor forest degradation from charcoal production in the context of the growing urban energy demand. It also highlights the potential opportunities to improve REDD+monitoring, reporting and verification efforts in sub-Saharan Africa as a first step toward designing effective management and policy interventions.

The role of fire in global forest loss dynamics

“…The land conversion generally involves the use of fire for land clearing and soil regeneration, that is, ‘slash‐and‐burn’. In parts of Sub‐Saharan Africa, this type of forest loss is becoming increasingly permanent as a consequence of agricultural expansion, shorter fallow times and demand for charcoal, often linked to increasing population pressure (Ickowitz et al, 2015; Sedano et al, 2020; Tyukavina et al, 2018).…”

Understanding Complex Relationships between Human Well-Being and Land Use Change in Mozambique Using a Multi-Scale Participatory Scenario Planning Process

“…In addition, local measures have also been taken, such as the improvement of charcoal licensing and monitoring in Mabalane by the Gaza provincial Forest Service. Furthermore, several research activities have also been implemented to help improve understanding of land use dynamics and charcoal production (e.g., [99][100][101]).…”

A network to understand the changing socio‐ecology of the southern African woodlands (SEOSAW): Challenges, benefits, and methods

“…Data on demographic rates are particularly important in a region where most energy consumed is derived from trees, and where timber and traded woodfuels are major industries (Dewees et al., 2010; Ryan et al., 2016). Although aggregate demand is not thought to outstrip sustainable supply (Twine et al., 2016), there are areas around major cities where overharvesting is leading to a loss of woody vegetation (Ahrends et al., 2010; Mwampamba, 2007; Scholes & Biggs, 2004; Sedano et al., 2019), and where harvesting rates need to be carefully managed. Currently those who regulate wood harvesting at a national scale set harvesting quotas based on almost no data from the region (Chishaleshale et al., 2019; Marzoli, 2007).…”