 |
|
ESA providing Kyoto estimates of French Guiana's tropical forests
June 05, 2003ESA is providing data from its Earth observation satellites to monitor the tropical forests in French Guiana and help the French government meet its obligations under the international Kyoto Protocol agreement on global warming.
Like all the so-called "Annex I" signatories to the Kyoto Protocol, France is required to measure and reduce its overall greenhouse gas emissions. But France is also the only such country possessing tropical forests, most of which are in French Guiana.
Tropical forests represent a vast store of carbon, while their deforestation represents a significant source of anthropogenic (man-made) greenhouse gas emissions. Ninety percent of French Guiana, or approximately 80 000 sq km, is covered with tropical forests and woodlands. French Guiana is also home to the European spaceport, shared by the French and ESA, at Kourou.
"The final objective is to estimate afforestation, deforestation and land-use changes," stated Alain Chaudron, technical advisor for international forests affairs at the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Rural Affairs. "The project is a continuation in tropical forests of the ones (ESA) is doing in eight European countries in the temperate zone."
Chaudron explained that the estimates should be provided at 1/2 -hectare increments, or 5000 sq m, and include corresponding carbon analyses to fulfil Kyoto Protocol commitments. They are provided as part of ESA's GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) Programme.
Representatives from ESA met back in early April with the French Inter-Ministerial Mission on Greenhouse Effects, the French Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the French Ministry of the Environment to discuss details of the project.
In addition, the project involves others, including the Inter-professional Centre of Technical Studies of Atmospheric Pollution, the National Forest Inventory, and the National Office of Forests. Two French research organisations, SILVOLAB and GIP ECOFOR, have been commissioned to implement the field collection in French Guiana.
The project to assess the tropical forests in French Guiana grew out of a January meeting in Paris between Professor José Achache, director of ESA's Earth Observation programmes, and Pierre Eric Rosenberg, MAAPAR's director of rural areas and forestry. This meeting followed the presence of ESA at last autumn's United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention Eighth Session of the Parties in New Delhi.
European Space Agency (ESA)
Chaudron explained that the estimates should be provided at 1/2 -hectare increments, or 5000 sq m, and include corresponding carbon analyses to fulfil Kyoto Protocol commitments. They are provided as part of ESA's GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) Programme.
Representatives from ESA met back in early April with the French Inter-Ministerial Mission on Greenhouse Effects, the French Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the French Ministry of the Environment to discuss details of the project.
In addition, the project involves others, including the Inter-professional Centre of Technical Studies of Atmospheric Pollution, the National Forest Inventory, and the National Office of Forests. Two French research organisations, SILVOLAB and GIP ECOFOR, have been commissioned to implement the field collection in French Guiana.
The project to assess the tropical forests in French Guiana grew out of a January meeting in Paris between Professor José Achache, director of ESA's Earth Observation programmes, and Pierre Eric Rosenberg, MAAPAR's director of rural areas and forestry. This meeting followed the presence of ESA at last autumn's United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention Eighth Session of the Parties in New Delhi.
European Space Agency (ESA)
Tropical Forests Current Events and Tropical Forests News RSSWhat are coral reef services worth? $130,000 to $1.2 million per hectare, per year: experts
Experts concluding the global DIVERSITAS biodiversity conference today in Cape Town described preliminary research revealing jaw-dropping dollar values of the "ecosystem services" of biomes like forests and coral reefs - including food, pollution treatment and climate regulation.
Killer bees may increase food supplies for native bees
Aggressive African bees were accidentally released in Brazil in 1957. As "killer bees" spread northward, David Roubik, staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, began a 17-year study that revealed that Africanized bees caused less damage to native bees than changes in the weather and may have increased the availability of their food plants.
World's last great forest under threat: new study
The world's last remaining "pristine" forest - the boreal forest across large stretches of Russia, Canada and other northern countries - is under increasing threat, a team of international researchers has found.
Humans
Mounting evidence that human activity is changing the world's oceans in profound and damaging ways is outlined in a new scientific discussion paper released today.
Orangutans unique in movement through tree tops
Movement through a complex meshwork of small branches at the heights of tropical forests presents a unique challenge to animals wanting to forage for food safely.
NASA study says climate adds fuel to Asian wildfire emissions
In the last decade, Asian farmers have cleared tens of thousands of square miles of forests to accommodate the world's growing demand for palm oil, an increasingly popular food ingredient.
Tropical forest seed banks: a blast from the past
Seeds of some tree species in the Panamanian tropical forest can survive for more than 30 years before germinating.
Atmospheric scientists trace the human role in Indonesian forest fires
Severe fires in Indonesia - responsible for some of the worst air quality conditions worldwide - are linked not only to drought, but also to changes in land use and population density, according to a new study in Nature Geoscience led by Robert Field of the University of Toronto.
Scientists use lasers to measure changes to tropical forests
New technology deployed on airplanes is helping scientists quantify landscape-scale changes occurring to Big Island tropical forests from non-native plants and other environmental factors that affect carbon sequestration.
Report offers options for negotiators seeking to craft critical accord on forests and climate change
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) today released a comprehensive analysis clarifying major challenges and offering an assortment of options that could help negotiators reach a global agreement on reducing carbon emissions tied to forest destruction and degradation.
More Tropical Forests Current Events and Tropical Forests News Articles
 |
Tropical Forests (Jones and Bartlett's Series on Ecosystems and Biomes) by Bernard Marcus (Author) The first text in a series of single topic ecology books, Tropical Forests is an ideal text or supplement for introductory biology, ecology, and environmental science courses. It provides students with an accurate, easy to read, and easy to understand account of this important biome that is often covered too briefly in general texts. This guide provides a compact picture of the world's tropical forests with overviews on the meteorological and geological influences on the biology of the ecosystem. It describes many of the interactions of plants and animals of the tropics in an evolutionary context. It's narrative style and clear illustrations and diagrams engage students, and paint a clear picture of the important concepts presented throughout the text. |
 |
The High Montain Tropical Forest The High Montain Tropical Forest (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Tropical Rain Forest (River & Waterfall) Art Poster Print - 16" X 20" by Adam Hersh Posters |
 |
Can Tropical Rain Forests Be Saved? (Home Use) Directed By: Robert Richter Also With: Robert Richter (Producer), Robert Richter (Writer) |
 |
Tropical Rain Forest: Sounds Of Nature by Various Artists |
 |
National Geographic: Really Wild Animals - Totally Tropical Rain Forest Starring: Dudley Moore Also With: Alan O'Day (Composer), Janis Liebhart (Composer), Darryl Kubian (Composer), Kief Davidson (Editor), Philip Falcone (Editor), Sean McAll (Editor) Take a totally tropical trip to the rain forest and meet spotted jaguars, colorful poison-arrow frogs, slow-moving sloths, and loud-mouthed howler monkeys - all captured by the world's finest filmmakers. |
|
Mona Lisa - Katina Marie "Tropical Forest" Short Sleeve, Rhinestone Studded, Pre-Washed, Printed Cotton Top Aqua (Large) by Mona Lisa Katina Marie - Mona Lisa Casual tops are designed for comfort and style starting with a loose fit, accented with beautifully patterned color prints in a variety of colors and subtle shading. The fabrics is pre-washed several times then tumble dried to assure you won't suffer from fabric shrinkage plus providing a more comfortable fit that's sure to keep it good looks and sizing for a very long time. As an added bonus these tops are made with a water-based print not an oil based printing process so that you'll get a much smoother, more comfortable feel versus a less breathable more stiffer oil based print that over time may have a tendency to harden and restrict air flow through the fabric | |
 |
Tropical Rain Forest (River & Waterfall) Gold Wood-Mounted Art Poster Print - 16" X 20" by Adam Hersh Posters |
 |
Silver Forest Tropical Clown Fish Earrings by Silver Forest Fun and funky clown fish earrings make every day a vacation. Silver Forest fish-hook earrings feature a blue, red, and goldtone fish layered over a textured goldtone & silver disc with novelty beading. Catch one today! |
 |
Rainforest Eco Expedition by Wild Republic This moveable play action set includes an orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, tree frog, Bengal tiger, jaguar, toucan, Indian rhinoceros, Emerald tree boa, and Eco Ranger with binoculars and walking stick. Ages 3+ |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |