About the training
Our SERVIR-HKH initiative has been collaborating with Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) on institutional capacity building on Earth observation applications for forest carbon tracking. We are organising a follow-up training for seven participants, who attended the training on synthetic aperture radar data for forest carbon measurement and monitoring, on 8–12 August 2022 at the ICIMOD headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The training will cover a review of the earlier training, an update on the progress and challenges of three projects assigned in the earlier training and the way forward, understanding of field data and above-ground biomass (AGB) estimation, time series analysis, and examination of multiple parameters to improve AGB estimation and carbon mapping.
After the five-day training, two selected participants will continue an on-the-job training with subject matter experts at ICIMOD for three weeks (15 August–2 September 2022) to further enhance their ability to work independently on mapping forest carbon stock and national land cover.
Objectives
The training aims to provide participants with in-depth practical knowledge on estimating AGB and forest carbon using Earth observation data.
Expected outcomes
- Enhanced knowledge and skills on models for AGB and forest carbon estimation
- Map of forest carbon stock for the Sundarbans
- Validation of the 2019 national land cover map of Bangladesh
Expected participants
The course will bring the seven participants who participated in the earlier training on synthetic aperture radar data for forest carbon measurement and monitoring held at the BFD campus in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Background
Forest biomass estimation is essential for assessing carbon sequestration and carbon balance in forest ecosystems. Therefore, accurate forest biomass estimation is crucial for studying the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems over large areas. Usually, forest biomass is estimated and monitored by conventional field measurements or remote-sensing methods. Biomass calculations based on actual field measurements for a small forest stand are considered accurate. However, field-based measurements for computing forest biomass at the national scale are not feasible, as they are costly, labour intensive, and time consuming. Remote sensing-based methods, particularly the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) microwave imaging system with cloud-penetrating and all-day data acquisition capabilities, provide viable alternatives to effectively measure and monitor forest biomass and forest carbon on a national scale. Further, there are opportunities to integrate optical and SAR data, which help in improving forest biomass estimation.
Resource persons
Venue and logistics
The training will be held at ICIMOD headquarters in Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal. ICIMOD will cover the costs and logistics of the training.
