How to Leverage the Power of SAR Observations for Forest Monitoring Systems

Earth observations from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) can provide unique observations related to forest structure and condition. Furthermore, SAR has many potential applications in forest monitoring systems, particularly where clouds have impeded optical observations. Currently, there is a reliable, freely-available, provision of SAR datasets, such as Sentinel-1, and there are plans to have more observations in the near- future (NISAR, BIOMASS). Given SARs enhanced earth observation characteristics, there is broad interest in using SAR datasets for decision support systems, such as deforestation early warning systems. However, applications of SAR are still underutilized. What is preventing users from using SAR data in their decision support systems? This study documents the experiences and lessons learned from the SERVIR network on the main limitations of incorporating SAR datasets into existing forest monitoring systems. This research also focuses on the major technical and scientific barriers we experience and best practices to address them. The results of this study are part of the SERVIR- SilvaCarbon collaboration. The primary goal of this collaboration is to build capacity in the applied use of SAR for forest monitoring and biomass estimation. The products of this effort aim to start closing the gap between SAR-science and forest applications. We will also present results to generate applied-ready knowledge for SAR

Columbia River treaty renegotiation potential impacts on agriculture, flood risk, hydropower and instream flows in the context of an altered climate

The Columbia River Treaty (CRT), signed between Canada and the United States in 1964 is important for flood control and hydropower generation in the Columbia River Basin (CRB). Starting from 2014, with 10 year notice the treaty can be terminated or modified. With the possibility of renegotiating the terms of the treaty in the horizon, it is timely to assess impacts of possible treaty alternatives on water resources of the region. The CRB region is projected to have increased temperature resulting in earlier snowmelt and shift in the stream-flow timing. Thus the objective of the study is to assess the impacts of possible changes in the CRT on agriculture, flood control, hydropower production and environmental flows under projected climate change. A biophysical modeling system, VIC-CropSyst, a reservoir operation modeling tool, ColSim, and a curtailment model is implemented under two alternative treaty scenarios and ten climate change scenarios in this study. Treaty alternatives consider operation of the treaty storages to augment flow during low flow months. These two treaty alternatives are run separately under two different flood flow targets (13,000 m3 /s and 17,000 m3 /s) at The Dalles. Climate change projections centering 2030s and 2060s show increased flow during spring with a shift in peak supply earlier in the season, greater flood risk, better production of firm hydropower energy, and improved reliability of meeting instream flow targets in most of the reservoir locations compared to the historic period. Future climate is projected to shift agricultural demand earlier in the irrigation season, causing an increase in water rights curtailment beginning of the irrigation season in those locations where the supply shift is occurring faster than the demand shift. The alternative treaty scenarios benefit irrigated agriculture in the future by reducing water rights curtailment. However, in terms of flood risk, hydropower and environmental flows, CRT alternatives result in mixed impacts when considered along with climate change. This study will help in guiding policy makers to provide stable and flexible treaty provisions that consider benefits to numerous water-use sectors in the long-ter