An accurate REDD+ reference level for Terai Arc Landscape, Nepal using LiDAR assisted Multi-source Programme (LAMP)

Authors

  • A. R. Joshi Conservation Biology Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
  • K. Tegel Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • U. Manandhar World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Kathmandu
  • N. Aguilar-Amuchastegui World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Washington DC
  • E. Dinerstein Biodiversity and Wildlife Solutions Program, RESOLVE, Washington DC
  • A. Eivazi Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • L. Gamble World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Washington DC
  • B. Gautam Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • K. Gunia Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • M. Gunia Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • D. Hall World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Washington DC
  • J. Hämäläinen Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • M. Hawkes Forest Resource Assessment (FRA) Nepal Project, Kathmandu
  • V. Junttila Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), Lappeenranta
  • S. K. Gautam Department of Forest Research and Survey (DFRS), Kathmandu
  • Y. Kandel World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Kathmandu
  • P. Kandel Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management (DSCWM), Kathmandu
  • T Kauranne Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • A Kolesnikov Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • P. Latva-Käyrä Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • S. Lohani World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Washington DC
  • S. M. Nepal World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Kathmandu
  • J. Niles University of California, San Diego
  • J. Peukurinen Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • G. Powell World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Washington DC
  • P. Rana Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • T. Suihkonen Arbonaut Ltd., Joensuu
  • G. J. Thapa World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Kathmandu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/banko.v24i1.13486

Keywords:

REDD , sub national, reference level, LiDAR, satellite data, field plots, LAMP, carbon, Nepal

Abstract

In preparation for participation in funding mechanisms established under the United Nations’ framework for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), the Government of Nepal has developed a sub-national reference level (RL) for the 12 districts of Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) in partnership with the WWF-Nepal, WWF-US and Arbonaut Ltd., Finland. The reference level was established using LiDAR–Assisted Multisource Programme (LAMP), an innovative effort that utilizes existing national forest and survey data, field sampling, satellite imagery, and airborne LiDAR data to measure deforestation and forest degradation, regrowth and maintenance of forests, and the resulting emissions and sequestration of CO2 in the project districts for the period 1999–2011. This effort was designed to create a sub-national RL that meets the highest international standards for integrity and transparency and followed closely the guidelines of the Methodological Framework (MF) defined by the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) at the World Bank and Guidelines defined by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).The present analysis shows that during the 12-year period between 1999 and 2011 a net total of 52,245,991 tons CO2 (tCO2e) was emitted from the forest sector in the TAL, an average emission of 4,353,833 tons CO2e per year. The results presented here reflect the first iteration of the TAL RL and a major milestone in an on-going process that will further refine and improve the RL in the months ahead based on external review and input and additional field verification and data analysis.

Banko Janakari, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp-23-33

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Published

2015-09-24

How to Cite

Joshi, A. R., Tegel, K., Manandhar, U., Aguilar-Amuchastegui, N., Dinerstein, E., Eivazi, A., Gamble, L., Gautam, B., Gunia, K., Gunia, M., Hall, D., Hämäläinen, J., Hawkes, M., Junttila, V., Gautam, S. K., Kandel, Y., Kandel, P., Kauranne, T., Kolesnikov, A., Latva-Käyrä, P., Lohani, S., Nepal, S. M., Niles, J., Peukurinen, J., Powell, G., Rana, P., Suihkonen, T., & Thapa, G. J. (2015). An accurate REDD+ reference level for Terai Arc Landscape, Nepal using LiDAR assisted Multi-source Programme (LAMP). Banko Janakari, 24(1), 23–33. https://doi.org/10.3126/banko.v24i1.13486

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Articles