The GDA Forest Management activity officially began on 3rd September and will run for 21 months. This project aims to enhance forest management by using Earth Observation (EO) technology to address key challenges in areas such as forest inventories, landscape planning, early warning systems, REDD+ initiatives, mangrove monitoring, and promoting deforestation-free supply chains.
Led by GAF AG, in partnership with experts from IGNFI, ONFI, Unique Land Use, GISbox, and Caribou Space, the consortium will deliver innovative EO-based solutions to support sustainable forest management. These solutions will be developed across four main themes:
- REDD+: This includes providing EO-based forest inventories, supporting REDD+ workflows, and implementing deforestation early warning systems.
- Forest and Landscape Assessment and Planning: Delivering insights into forest inventories and supporting the spatial planning and management of forest landscapes.
- Mangrove and Protected Areas: Monitoring vulnerable areas, identifying deforestation risks, and safeguarding mangrove ecosystems.
- Zero Deforestation (ZD): Developing early warning systems for deforestation and ensuring supply chains comply with deforestation-free standards, including the new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
This initiative builds on ESA’s long-standing experience in using satellite EO data to address environmental and development challenges. Through collaboration with international partners, including The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project seeks to strengthen efforts to protect forest ecosystems and promote sustainable development.
The launch of the Forest Management activity highlights the crucial role EO technology plays in forest conservation and sustainable land use, addressing both environmental challenges and the needs of global institutions.
