The ReCaREDD project, Brazil workshops – Curitiba and São José dos Campos, 13th – 20th April 2016

EMBRAPA Florestas, Curitiba, Brazil: The workshop was held at the headquarters of EMBRAPA Florestas in Curitiba/Colombo from 13th – 15th April, as a follow-up of EMBRAPA’s visit in Ispra in November 2015 (supported by the 8th EU-Brazil Sector Dialogues Programme). EMBAPA Florestas is responsible for the development of a remote sensing – based methodology for the ‘Landscape Study’ as part of the currently ongoing Brazilian National Forest Inventory. In this context, the newest version of the JRC IMPACT Toolbox was presented. IMPACT is an essential tool integrated in the methodology of the ‘NFI Landscape Study’, which should at some stage be applied to more than 5.000 sample units. Seven researchers from EMBRAPA Florestas attended the workshop. INPE, São José dos Campos, Brazil: A three-day workshop, attended by 15 researchers, was held at the INPE Remote Sensing department, the main topics discussed were the possible usage by the JRC of the new version of INPE’s TerraLib segmentation software, the presentation of the new version of the JRC IMPACT Toolbox, several joint INPE-JRC research projects (long-term forest cover change assessment in the Amazon, selective logging monitoring in Mato Grosso State), and, in the general the way forward of the remote sensing – based forestry research collaboration between the two research centres, with a specific focus on forest degradation monitoring. INPE is responsible for the technical aspects regarding the Brazilian REDD reporting.JRC.D.1-Bio-econom

Manual del usuario para la herramienta del CCI de validación del cambio en la cobertura vegetal/ocupación del suelo

El proyecto TREES-3 del CCI tiene por objeto estimar los cambios en la cobertura forestal a nivel continental y regional para el cinturón tropical y para los períodos 1990-2000 y 2000-(2005)-2010 basándose en una muestra sistemática de los mapas de cambios en la cobertura forestal. Se ha desarrollado un sistema para el tratamiento y evaluación de los cambios en la cobertura vegetal a partir de un amplio conjunto de datos de imágenes de resolución media multitemporales (unidades de muestra de 20 km x 20 km analizadas a partir de imágenes del satélite Landsat). La principal tarea es evaluar, de la manera más exacta posible y para cada unidad de muestra, la cobertura forestal y el cambio en esta entre dos fechas. El análisis incluye un paso final crucial consistente en la verificación visual y la asignación final de etiquetas de cobertura vegetal, efectuado por funcionarios nacionales responsables de los bosques o expertos en teledetección de los países tropicales. La interpretación visual se lleva a cabo de manera interdependiente en imágenes de dos fechas a fin de verificar y ajustar las etiquetas preasignadas a cada segmento para las diferentes fechas. Con esta finalidad se ha desarrollado una aplicación dedicada autónoma. La aplicación es una interfaz gráfica de usuario denominada «herramienta del CCI de validación del cambio en la cobertura vegetal», cuya finalidad es proporcionar una interfaz de fácil manejo con un conjunto optimizado de órdenes para navegar por un conjunto de datos de imágenes de satélite y mapas de la cobertura vegetal, evaluarlos y corregir fácilmente las etiquetas de ocupación del suelo según corresponda. En esta tarea la FAO está colaborando con el CCI en el marco del “Global Forest Resource Assessment (FRA) Remote Sensing Survey”. El CCI añadió funcionalidades a esta herramienta para permitir el etiquetado de clases de ocupación del suelo que forman parte de la clasificación FRA. El presente documento técnico, titulado «Manual de instrucciones para la herramienta del CCI de validación del cambio en la cobertura vegetal/ocupación del suelo» (JRC Land Cover/Use Change Validation Tool) describe el procedimiento de instalación de la herramienta en un ordenador personal, así como las características detalladas de la interfaz gráfica de usuario. Los autores agradecen las aportaciones de los usuarios de la herramienta, especialmente la información respecto a cualquier problema de software o las sugerencias para la mejora de futuras versiones.JRC.H.3-Forest Resources and Climat

User Manual for the JRC Land Cover/Use Change Validation Tool

The JRC TREES-3 project aims at estimating forest cover changes at continental and regional levels for the Tropical belt for the periods 1990-2000 and 2000-(2005)-2010 based on a systematic sample of forest cover change maps. An operational system has been developed for the processing and change assessment of a large data set of multi-temporal medium resolution imagery (sample units of 20 km x 20 km size analysed from with Landsat imagery). The main task is to assess as accurately as possible for each sample unit the forest cover and forest cover change between two dates. The analysis includes a crucial final step of visual verification and final assignment of land cover labels which is carried out by forestry national officers or remote sensing experts from tropical countries. The visual interpretation is conducted interdependently on two-date imagery to verify and to adjust the labels pre-assigned to each segment for the different dates. A dedicated stand-alone application has been developed for this purpose. The application is a graphical user interface, called the JRC Land Cover/Use Change Validation Tool. The aim of this tool is to provide a user-friendly interface, with an optimised set of commands to navigate through and assess a given dataset of satellite imagery and land cover maps, and to correct easily the land-cover labels as appropriate. The present technical document, entitled ¿User Manual for the JRC Land Cover Change Validation Tool¿ describes the steps for the installation of the tool on a personal computer, as well as the detailed features of this dedicated graphical user interface. The authors welcome feedbacks from potential users of the tool, in particular reporting of any potential software issue or providing suggestions for improvements of future versions of the tool.JRC.DDG.H.3-Global environement monitorin

Belite cement clinker from autoclaved aerated concrete waste – A contribution towards CO₂-reduced circular building materials

The processing of belite cement clinker in a rotary kiln at about 1000oC is a new recycling option for autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) waste that otherwise must be landfilled. The clinker produced can partially substitute ordinary portland cement (OPC) in AAC production. Waste quantities and landfill costs are minimized, while at the same time CO2 emissions and the primary resource consumption of AAC production are reduced. The technology is currently under development. New analytical possibilities and modeling have made it possible to optimize the process conditions to such an extent that the use of belite cement clinker in aerated concrete production has already been technically tested. Particularly large effects on CO2 emissions can be achieved through the electrical heating of the rotary kiln and the coupled sequestration of the released CO2 in other secondary products such as recycled aggregate for concrete production from waste concrete. Comparable concepts for the AAC cycle are currently being worked on together with the industry partner Xella. Although decentralized plant concepts would be useful in order to minimize transportation, small plants are currently not economical according to initial estimates. In the long term, emission-free product cycles are aimed at

Manuel d'utilisation de l'outil du CCR pour la validation des changements du couvert végétal / de l'utilisation des terres

Le projet TREES-3 du CCR a pour objectif d¿estimer les changements dans le couvert forestier aux échelles continentales et régionales dans les régions tropicales qui sont survenus au cours des années 1990 à 2000 et 2000 à (2005)-2010 sur la base d¿un échantillon systématique de cartes révélant les changements du couvert forestier. Un système opérationnel a été mis au point pour traiter et évaluer les changements dans un grand nombre de sites à partir d¿images multi-temporelles de moyenne résolution spatiale (unités d¿échantillonnage de 20 km x 20 km analysées à partir d¿images Landsat). L¿objectif principal est d¿évaluer le plus précisément possible, pour chaque unité d¿échantillonnage, le couvert forestier et le changement dans celui-ci entre deux dates. L¿analyse comprend une étape ultime d¿une importance cruciale qui consiste à vérifier visuellement et à attribuer l¿identification finale des couverts végétaux. Cette dernière étape est confiée aux soins d¿agents forestiers nationaux ou d¿experts en télédétection, issus de pays tropicaux. L¿interprétation visuelle s¿effectue de manière interdépendante à partir d¿images pris à deux dates différentes afin de vérifier et d¿ajuster les classes de végétation préalablement attribuées à chaque segment aux différentes dates. Une application autonome a été spécialement conçue à cette fin. Dénommée «Outil du CCR pour la validation des changements du couvert végétal», cette application est une interface utilisateur graphique conviviale dont la série optimisée de commandes permet, d¿une part, de naviguer à des fins d¿évaluation dans un ensemble d¿images satellitaires et de cartes représentant le couvert végétal et, d¿autre part, de corriger aisément, le cas échéant, les classes de couvert végétal. La FAO collabore avec le CCR à ce travail dans le cadre de l¿enquête par télédétection qui est menée à bien au titre de l¿évaluation des ressources forestières mondiales (FRA). Le CCR a ajouté à l¿outil une fonctionnalité qui permet aussi d¿étiqueter les classes d¿utilisation des terres qui relèvent de la classification utilisée par la FAO. Le présent document, intitulé «Manuel d¿utilisation de l¿outil du CCR pour la validation des changements du couvert végétal / de l¿utilisation des terres», explique la procédure à suivre pour installer le logiciel sur un ordinateur personnel et décrit en détail les caractéristiques de cette interface utilisateur graphique spécifique. Les auteurs remercient d¿ores et déjà les utilisateurs potentiels de l¿outil de bien vouloir leur faire part de leurs commentaires et en particulier de les tenir informés de tout problème logiciel éventuel ou de leur faire parvenir toute suggestion d¿améliorations pour les futures versions de l¿outil.JRC.DDG.H.3-Global environement monitorin

Zero emission circular concrete

The project Zero Emission Circular Concrete develops a CO2-neutral, high-quality, and resource-efficient concrete cycle starting with end-of-life concrete. A cement clinker with a reduced CO2 footprint is processed from waste concrete fines at a strongly reduced temperature of approximately 1000°C. The main clinker mineral is belite, Ca2SiO4. The residual CO2 is released in concentrated form and used for the technical carbonation of either waste concrete fines as supplementary cementitious material or of coarse crushed waste concrete. The coarse fraction is treated in a new process based on a pressurized autoclave, where hardening by carbonation improves the properties of the recycled aggregate. Both carbonation options are investigated on a laboratory scale. Recycling cement is developed from belite cement clinker, Portland cement clinker, and other substitutes in a joint project with the industry. A 30% substitution rate of Portland cement clinker compared to European cement standards is targeted. Subsequently, formulations for recycling concrete will be developed from recycled cement and recycled aggregate. The processing of concrete products and precast concrete elements will be tested in plant trials. A pilot plant for belite cement clinker is currently under construction to bring its technology readiness level to four

Manual de utilização de ferramenta do Centro Comum de Investigação para validação das mudanças da cobertura vegetal e do uso da terra

O projeto TREES-3 do CCI tem como objetivo avaliar mudanças da cobertura vegetal na região tropical que ocorreram entre 1990 e 2000, e entre 2000-(2005)-2010. Para isto, foram processadas e avaliadas mudanças da cobertura vegetal em uma grande quantidade de imagens de satélite multi-temporais de resolução espacial média (unidades amostrais de 20 km x 20 km de imagens Landsat). Desta forma, o projeto TREES-3 busca avaliar para cada uma das unidades amostrais a cobertura florestal e as mudanças da cobertura vegetal ocorrida num quinquénio ou década com a mais alta precisão possível. A análise da mudança da cobertura vegetal e do uso da terra inclui também uma etapa de validação visual da classificação das imagens de satélite para atribuir as classes definitivas. Para esta etapa, o CCI desenvolveu uma ferramenta computacional chamada ‘‘Ferramenta do CCI para validação das mudanças da cobertura vegetal e do uso da terra’’. Esta ferramenta é utilizada por agentes florestais nacionais ou especialistas em sensoriamento remoto provenientes de países tropicais. Nesta ferramenta, a interpretação visual das imagens de satélite é efetuada de maneira simultânea utilizando imagens de dois períodos diferentes. Desta forma, é possível verificar e ajustar classes de uso da terra que foram previamente definidas. Neste trabalho, a FAO colabora com o CCI no âmbito do projeto de levantamento por sensoriamento remoto para avaliação dos recursos florestais mundiais (FRA). O CCI agregou na ferramenta computacional uma função que permite atribuir classes de uso da terra que fazem parte da classificação utilizada pela FAO. O presente documento, intitulado ‘‘Manual de utilização de ferramenta do Centro Comum de Investigação para validação das mudanças da cobertura vegetal e do uso da terra”, explica o procedimento para instalação da ferramenta e descreve as características da interface gráfica do usuário.JRC.H.3-Forest Resources and Climat

Belite cement clinker from autoclaved aerated concrete waste fines with high sulfate content

The processing of belite cement clinker in a rotary kiln at about 1000°C in a CO2 atmosphere is a new recycling option for Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) waste that otherwise must be landfilled. Waste fine fractions from a sorting facility enriched in sulfate due to intermixing with waste plaster have been processed. During clinkering the cement clinker phase belite (Ca2SiO4) besides technical ellestadite, (Ca10(SiO4)3(SO4)3Cl2), or ternesite, (Ca5(SiO4)2SO4), are formed, depending on the addition of flux minerals. However, not all phases of the novel clinker react hydraulically. Whereas ternesite reacts with water, ellestadite forms complex solid solution series (Ca/Pb, SO4/PO4), which may be used as an insoluble reservoir mineral for undesirable constituents, such as phosphates and chlorides. The produced clinker has been successfully used to partially substitute OPC in AAC production in technical trials. Waste quantities and landfill costs are minimized, while at the same time, CO2 emissions and the primary resource consumption of AAC production are reduced. Joint work with industrial companies is underway to increase technology readiness. Particularly large reduction effects on CO2 emissions can be achieved through electrical heating of the rotary kiln

Recycling belite cement clinker from post-demolition autoclaved aerated concrete – assessing a new process

Increasing post-demolition autoclaved aerated concrete (pd-AAC) waste is mainly landfilled due to its physical properties and lacking recycling processes. A promising technology is the production of recycled belite cement clinker, which can partially substitute Portland cement clinker. This paper presents experimental data of recycled belite cement clinker production from pd-AAC that has been successfully demonstrated on technology readiness level 4–5 and its associated lifecycle assessment. Different supply chains for pd-AAC and energy are examined. The closed-loop pd-AAC recycling via the belite route that aims for Portland cement clinker substitution shows significant potential savings in environmental impacts. These savings could reach 0.77 kg CO2-Eq/kg pd-AAC compared to the status quo (landfilling) by using renewable electricity, and 0.34 kg CO2-Eq/kg pd-AAC by using natural gas. The gained reduction of around 13.5 % is significant considering that it is the result of substituting only 15.5 % of the overall input material

Assessing land cover changes in the Brazilian Cerrado between 1990 and 2010 using a remote sensing sampling approach

We present a remote sensing sampling approach to assess land cover changes between years 1990 and 2010 for the Cerrado biome. Despite the fact that natural vegetation cover of this biome has been heavily converted into agricultural lands over the past decades, there is still a lack of detailed and historical information about vegetation cover changes at the biome scale. The sampling design and image processing techniques were developed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) Tropical Ecosystem Environment Observation by Satellite (TREES-3) project. A set of 175 regularly distributed sample units (with10 km x 10 km size) located at every full degree confluence point of latitude and longitude were assessed. For each sample unit, (E)TM Landsat images from three target years (1990, 2000 and 2010) were selected, pre-processed, segmented and classified into five land cover classes (Tree Cover - TC, Tree Cover Mosaic - TCM, Other Wooded Land - OWL, Other Land Cover - OLC and Water -W). The results showed that the Cerrado had a net loss of natural vegetation (TC + OWL) of about 12 million hectares between 1990 and 2010, or an average rate of change of -0.6% y-1. However, the rates of change decreased from the first (1990-2000) to the second (2000-2010) decade. By 2010, the percentage of natural vegetation cover remaining in the Cerrado was 47%.JRC.H.3-Forest Resources and Climat