| |||
Integration of remote sensing techniques and information on ecosystem services to measure tropical forest degradation - A case study from the tropical rain forest of EcuadorProjektbeschreibung:Forest degradation is a serious problem, particularly in developing countries. It affects the social, cultural, and ecological functions of forests, and it is a silent killer of sustainable development. In Ecuador, forest degradation is one of the greatest direct threats to biodiversity and forests, also affecting the forest ecosystem services. To remedy this situation, the country has a number of national-level governmental plans, and policies that support efforts to reduce forest degradation; moreover there are local initiatives being carried out by non-governmental organizations. One recent project aiming to promote sustainable forest management is located in the Napo providence (Central-Northern Ecuador), which has one of the greatest concentrations of biodiversity within the world's tropical forests. In collaboration with this initiative, the goal of this study is to integrate remote sensing techniques and information on ecosystem services to measure tropical forest degradation. In this respect, the main objectives are: (1) to measure the structural aspects of forest degradation by remote sensing methods and (2) to relate structural forest degradation to the provision of ecosystem services by interviews.Projektlaufzeit: Projektbeginn: 2012Projektleitung: PD Dr. Christine Schmitt (Univ. Freiburg) Mitarbeiter:
Aktueller Forschungsbericht |