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From REDD+ MRV Perspective: Comparison of Two Different Forest Management Regimes Using Geospatial Techniques in Ludi Khola Watershed, Gorkha District, Nepal

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Abstract

This study presents a practical example of using remote sensing data and methods for forest management in Ludi Khola watershed (5750 ha) Gorkha District, a REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) pilot project site in Nepal. The study area consists of 1888 ha that are assigned to 31 community forests (CFs) and 3862 ha that belong to non-community forests such as governmental and private forests (Non-CFs). By using high-resolution GeoEye-1 (2009 and 2012) satellite images and forest inventory data, temporal dynamics of land cover transitions, tree canopy size classes (crown projection area), Above-Ground Biomass (AGB) were estimated and compared for the two forest regimes (CFs and Non-CFs). Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) segmentation and classification techniques were performed. By using the change matrix method, forest area conversion to non-forest (forest loss) of only 1 ha (0.05%) in CF and 27 ha (0.7%) in Non-CF was observed over 2009–2012. On the other hand, change from non-forest to forest (forest gain) occurred on 12 ha (0.6%) in CF and 60 ha (1.5%) in Non-CF. According to land cover information from 2009 to 2012, closed broadleaved forest concealed almost 87% of total CFs’ forest area and 59% of total Non-CFs’ forest area, while open broadleaved forest occupied almost 12 and 20% in CFs and Non-CFs, respectively. The community-based inventory revealed an annual increment of 3.7 t/ha AGB, whereas remote sensing-based modelling estimated 4.5 t/ha AGB. The integration of remote sensing and field data can demonstrate and endorse a much more efficient REDD+ Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system in terms of information content, reliability, cost, transparency, verifiability, and scalability.

Zusammenfassung

Aus der REDD+ MRV-Perspektive: Vergleich zweier unterschiedlicher Waldmanagementtypen mittels räumlicher Analysetechniken im Ludi Khola Einzugsgebiet im Gorkha District, Nepal. Die Studie zeigt anhand einer REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Pilotfläche im Ludi Khola Einzugsgebiet (5.750 ha), gelegen im Gorkha-Distrikt in Nepal, den Nutzen von fernerkundlichen Daten und Methoden für das Waldmanagement. Die Fläche unterteilt sich auf 1.888 ha in 31 Gemeindewäldern (community forest, CF) und 3.862 ha Regierungs- und Privatwälder (Nicht-CFs). Unter der Nutzung von hochauflösenden GeoEye-1 Daten aus den Jahren 2009 und 2012 wurden die Veränderungen der Wald- und Landbedeckung, die Überdachung durch die Baumkronen und die oberirdische Biomasse (AGB) be-stimmt. Mittels Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) wurden die Satellitendaten segmentiert und klassifiziert. Anschließend wurde die Change-Matrix Methode auf die Klassifikationsergebnisse der Jahre 2009 und 2012 angewendet. In diesem Zeitraum wurde in den Gemeindewäldern ein Rückgang von 1 ha (0,05%), auf den übrigen Waldflächen hingegen eine Verminderung um 27 ha (0,7%) beobachtet. Umgekehrt betrug der Zuwachs der kommunalen Waldfläche 12 ha (0,64%) und 60 ha (1,55%) auf den übrigen Flächen. In beiden Untersuchungsjahren bedeckte geschlossener Laubwald etwa 87% der kommunalen Wälder, wohingegen diese Klasse auf den übrigen Waldflächen 59% abdeckte. Offener Laubwald wurde auf 12% (20%) der kommunalen (übrigen) Wälder detektiert. Der jährliche Zuwachs an AGB differierte zwischen der lokalen Erhebungstechnik (3,7 t/ha) und dem fernerkundungsbasierten Modell (4,5 t/ha) vergleichsweise gering. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Integration von Fernerkundung und Felddaten das REDD+ Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) System in den Aspekten Informationsgehalt, Glaubwürdigkeit, Kosten, Transparenz, Nachvollziehbarkeit und Skalierbarkeit unterstützen kann.

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Acknowledgements

This study was partially supported by core funds of ICIMOD contributed by the governments of Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The authors acknowledge the REDD+ NORWEGIAN pilot project, NASA Land-Cover/Land-Use Change Program (No. NNX14AD94G), ANSAB, FECOFUN and ITC Netherlands. This work would not have been possible without the active participation of district forest officers (DFOs) and community forest user group members.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Hammad Gilani

  2. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Hammad Gilani & Muhammad Sohail

  3. Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, The Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth (RADI), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China

    Upama Ashish Koju

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  1. Hammad Gilani
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Correspondence to Hammad Gilani.

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Gilani, H., Sohail, M. & Koju, U.A. From REDD+ MRV Perspective: Comparison of Two Different Forest Management Regimes Using Geospatial Techniques in Ludi Khola Watershed, Gorkha District, Nepal. PFG 85, 265–278 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41064-017-0028-x

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