The overarching goal of this research proposal is developing remote sensing-based and modeling tools to characterize, quantify, understand and predict forest degradation in tropical woodlands of the…

This is a $893,620.97 grant awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) on October 31, 2017 with a completion date of October 31, 2022. The grant aims to develop remote sensing-based and modeling tools to characterize, quantify, understand, and predict forest degradation in the tropical woodlands of the Miombo region of Southern Africa. The project has three key objectives: 1) Prototype a remote sensing-based approach to map, monitor, and quantify forest degradation from charcoal production; 2) Develop a modeling framework to generate spatially explicit estimates of current forest degradation area and carbon emissions at the national level, and predict the evolution of carbon stocks under future scenarios; and 3) Evaluate the potential and limitations of the upcoming NASA GEDI mission to detect changes in forest structure associated with forest degradation in the region. The grant does not have a set-aside designation. UMD is the prime recipient, and the parent organization is the University System of Maryland (USM), a state-controlled system of public universities in Maryland.

The overarching goal of this research proposal is developing remote sensing-based and modeling tools to characterize, quantify, understand and predict forest degradation in tropical woodlands of the miombo region of southern africa. In a first objective, we will prototype a remote sensing-based approach to map, monitor and quantify forest degradation from charcoal production combining multitemporal analysis of very high-resolution remote sensing images and field measurements. A second objective will develop a modeling framework to generate spatially explicit estimates of current forest degradation area and carbon emissions at national level and predict the evolution of carbon stocks under future scenarios. Finally, we will evaluate the potential and limitations of upcoming NASA gedi mission to detect changes in forest structure associated to forest degradation in tropical woodlands of southern africa.