Satellite-Observed Major Greening and Biomass Increase in South China Karst During Recent Decade

International audienceAbove-ground vegetation biomass is one of the major carbon sinks and provides both provisioning (e.g., forestry products) and regulating ecosystem services (by sequestering carbon). Continuing deforestation and climate change threaten this natural resource but can effectively be countered by national conservation policies. Here we present time series (1999-2017) derived from complementary satellite systems to describe a phenomenon of global significance: the greening of South China Karst. We find a major increase in growing season vegetation cover from 69% in 1999 to 81% in 2017 occurring over similar to 1.4 million km(2). Over 1999-2012, we report one of the globally largest increases in biomass to occur in the South China Karst region (on average +4% over 0.9 million km(2)), which accounts for similar to 5% of the global areas characterized with increases in biomass. These increases in southern China's vegetation have occurred despite a decline in rainfall (-8%) and soil moisture (-5%) between 1999 and 2012 and are derived from effects of forestry and conservation activities at an unprecedented spatial scale in human history (similar to 20,000km(2)yr(-1) since 2002). These findings have major implications for the provisioning of ecosystem services not only for the Chinese karst ecosystem (e.g., carbon storage, water filtration, and timber production) but also for the study of global carbon cycles

Beyond Forest Conservation: Exploring the Impact of REDD+ on Livelihood and Detection of Forest Cover Change in Cross River State, Nigeria

To address the issue of climate change, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change introduced REDD+ “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation”. Nigeria has lost 90% of its natural forest. The Cross River State has the largest proportion of the remaining tropical forests. In 2010, Nigeria joined the UN-REDD scheme to contribute to global climate change mitigation. Accordingly, the CRS became Nigeria's first REDD+ pilot state. Logging was therefore prohibited. A mixed-methods approach was used in this study to assess the impact of REDD+ in CRS. It involved key informant interviews, questionnaires, and remote sensing data. Sampling was done using a purposive and snowball approach. Autoregressive integrated moving average analysis was used to develop a model to predict the post-intervention period dependent on time. A simple linear regression of the residual values of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was used to determine the impact of the REDD+ program on the forest cover. The results indicate a slight positive impact. Time accounted for a 3.5% variation in vegetation cover of Akamkpa and Boki Local Government Areas after ten years of REDD+. However, more variables could be added to improve the model and identify the major drivers explaining variations in vegetation gain. A parametric t-test was also conducted, and the result was significant at (p<0.05) when compared to the ordinary least squares regression. Agriculture was the main economic activity in the study area. Furthermore, many respondents preferred agricultural skills\training and 67% desired more land for farming. This can have a detrimental effect on the CRS forest resources. The study proposes that future conservation efforts should consider forest community capacity-building preference before project commencement. Moreover, smallholder farmers should be empowered and trained to maximize yields on existing agricultural lands. Information, education, and communication materials should be made in local languages to raise awareness about REDD+, climate change, and forest conservation in Nigeria

GEE-Based Ecological Environment Variation Analysis under Human Projects in Typical China Loess Plateau Region

The China Loess Plateau (CLP) is a unique geomorphological unit with abundant coal resources but a fragile ecological environment. Since the implementation of the Western Development plan in 2000, the Grain for Green Project (GGP), coal mining, and urbanization have been extensively promoted by the government in the CLP. However, research on the influence of these human projects on the ecological environment (EE) is still lacking. In this study, we investigated the spatial–temporal variation of EE in a typical CLP region using a Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE). We obtained a long RSEI time series from 2002–2022, and used trend analysis and rescaled range analysis to predict changing trends in EE. Finally, we used Geodetector to verify the influence of three human projects (GGP, coal mining, and urbanization). Our results show that GGP was the major driving factor of ecological changes in the typical CLP region, while coal mining and urbanization had significant local effects on EE. Our research provides valuable support for ecological protection and sustainable social development in the relatively underdeveloped region of northwest China

Could payments for environmental services improve rangeland management in Central Asia, West Asia and North Africa?:

"Although several institutional and management approaches that address the degradation of the rangelands have been tested in the dry areas of Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA), impact has been limited. Nonetheless, the development of National Action Plans to combat desertification highlights the interest of governments to tackle this issue. Payment for Environmental Services (PES) may be a viable policy option, though, to date, most PES programs have focused on the management of different resources (forests, watersheds). The purpose of this paper is to examine whether PES could be a viable option to promote sustainable rangelands management in the dry rangelands of CWANA. Specifically, it focuses on the scientific gaps and knowledge related to the local and global environmental services produced by rangelands and addresses questions related to the beneficiaries of these services. Institutional conditions necessary for the implementation of such schemes are discussed." Authors' AbstractEnvironmental services, Environmental management, Land management, Rangelands, Collective action, Property rights,

The Asia‐Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network : 10‐year achievements and new strategies to 2030.

The Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network (APBON) was launched in 2009, in response to the establishment of the Biodiversity Observation Network under the Group on Earth Observations in 2008. APBON's mission is to increase exchange of knowledge and know-how between institutions and researchers concerning biodiversity science research in the Asia-Pacific (AP) region and thereby contribute to evidence-based decision-making and policy-making. Here we summarize APBON activities and achievements in its first 10 years. We review how APBON has developed networks, facilitated communication for sharing knowledge, and built capacity of researchers and stakeholders through workshops and publications as well as discuss the network plan. Key findings by APBON members include descriptions of species new to science, mapping tropical forest cover change, evaluating impacts of hydropower dams and climate change on fish species diversity in the Mekong, and mapping “Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas” in the oceans. APBON has also contributed to data collection, sharing, analysis, and synthesis for regional and global biodiversity assessment. A highlight was contributing to the “Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services” regional report. New strategic plans target the development of national-level BONs and interdisciplinary research to address the data and knowledge gaps and increase data accessibility for users and for meeting societal demands. Strengthening networks in AP region and capacity building through APBON meetings will continue. By promoting monitoring and scientific research and facilitating the dialogue with scientists and policymakers, APBON will contribute to the implementation of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the entire AP region.publishedVersio