About the training
ICIMOD’s SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya (SERVIR-HKH) initiative and the REDD Implementation Centre (REDD IC) at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Nepal are organizing a five-day refresher training on using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for monitoring forest cover change and carbon stocks. This is a continuation of the earlier training on Using GIS for monitoring forest cover change and carbon stocks organized in April 2021.
The training will cover topics in GIS applications in forest monitoring along with hands-on exercises on vector and raster data visualization and analysis, forest area mapping, forest cover change analysis, carbon stocks calculation, and map production. The training will be delivered using a blended learning approach – presentations and guided practical exercises – to enhance the scientific and technical skills on the effective use of GIS in forest monitoring to meet REDD IC’s forest carbon mapping goals. Participants will work with experts to generate forest carbon maps for Nepal using annual land cover data (2000–2019) from the National Land Cover Monitoring System (NLCMS) for Nepal developed by the Forest Research and Training Centre (FRTC) and ICIMOD.
Objective
The overall objective of the training is to train professionals working at the REDD IC and other relevant government departments on the use of GIS for monitoring forest cover change and carbon stocks. It will focus on providing refresher technical training on GIS and on mapping and quantifying forest carbon stocks at the province/district level.
Expected outcomes
Upon completion of the training, the participants will have a better understanding of the applications of Earth observation (EO) and GIS in monitoring forests and carbon stocks, enabling them to apply this knowledge in their working areas, while also supporting the achievement of REDD+ goals for regular and effective monitoring of forests.
Expected participants
15 professionals from REDD IC and relevant government agencies in Nepal, who joined the earlier training, are expected to participate in this training.
Resource persons/Facilitators
Background
Traditional carbon mapping methods are expensive and challenging to apply over large areas. EO coupled with GIS can serve high-resolution, spatially explicit forest maps to assist measuring, reporting, and verifying (MRV) processes by monitoring changes in forest cover and carbon stocks. GIS provides a variety of tools to support data management, research, decision-making, and tracking for forestry professionals and enables them to test and consider choices in both temporal and spatial environments.
Limitations in individual and institutional capacities have limited the adoption and practical use of EO/GIS technologies in forest applications in Nepal. Capacity development in the field of forest cover change and carbon stock monitoring workflows using GIS data and tools can contribute towards bridging the capacity gap and underpin the achievement of REDD+ goals for regular and effective monitoring of forests.
