El Salvador Ecological Forecasting II

El Salvador Ecological Forecasting II

Utilizing NASA Earth Observations to Predict Deforestation and Forest Degradation in El Salvador

Tropical forests are vital ecosystems because of their rich biodiversity and carbon sequestration abilities. Unfortunately, due to a number of factors, these forests are threatened by deforestation and forest degradation and are in need of comprehensive management strategies. The conservation of forests is not only vital for biodiversity but also for the ecosystem services they provide. The micro-region of La Mancomunidad La MontaƱona in Chalatenango, El Salvador is a hilly area with a population dependent upon subsistence and livestock farming, often utilizing slash and burn agricultural techniques. Using NASA Earth observations in collaboration with El Salvador's ministry of the environment, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (MARN), the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and Agroforestry for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (ABES) Project, a methodology was developed for stakeholders and policy makers to monitor long-term changes in forest cover and to predict significant changes in woody forest biomass. A baseline time series showing forest cover and land use/land cover (LULC) from December 1986 to January 2016 was used to forecast forest cover change through the year 2030. These predictions will allow stakeholders to identify at-risk regions to focus forest conservation efforts and management strategies.

Location
NASA Langley Research Center
Term
Spring 2016
Partner(s)
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (MARN)
La Mancomunidad La MontaƱona, Chalatenango
The Earth Institute, Columbia University, Agroforestry for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (ABES) Project
USAID El Salvador Mission
NASA Earth Observations
Landsat 4/5, TM
Landsat 8, OLI/TIRS
RapidEye Constellation, Jena-Optronik
Team
Britta Dosch (Project Lead)
Garrett Kidd
Labreshia Mims
Rebekke Muench
Jacob Patrick
Amy Wolfe
Advisor(s)
Dr. Kenton Ross (NASA Develop National Program)

Project Video

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