Глобальная оценка лесных ресурсов

Advancing forest data collection in Mexico

FAO's 2025 Remote Sensing Survey national workshop in Mexico trained experts in photointerpretation from a landscape approach

17 May 2024, Puerto Vallarta – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the National Forestry Commission of Mexico (CONAFOR) organized a national workshop for Mexico from 13 to 17 May 2024 with the assistance of the European Union and Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative. This workshop was designed to support data collection for the 2025 cycle of the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) Remote Sensing Survey (RSS).

The workshop gathered 15  experts from around the country, including those previously selected for the 2020 RSS cycle, to achieve great representation in the knowledge of provincial vegetation types and extensive field experience. Each participant is projected to collect data for at least 250 RSS samples that fall within their territory. 

To enable a deep understanding among participants in the data collection process, the workshop utilized hands-on photointerpretation from a landscape approach. This method relies on local experts with knowledge on remote sensing, ecology and local land management practices. The facilitating platform, Collect Earth Online (CEO), was developed in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Google.

Key workshop insights

The workshop provided an in-depth review of the FRA 2025 RSS to set the framework for the focal points to begin their data collection. In addition, participants were instructed on the physics of remote sensing, theory of photointerpretation and FRA land use classes with e-learning modules and exercises. Furthermore, the workshop facilitated and supported data collection with CEO among participants for the RSS 2025.

The rich and expansive scenery of San Sebastián del Oeste inspired participants during a mid-week field trip. A description of samples and comparison with orthomosaics was provided in the field, and a discussion on the spectral properties of various land cover classes and image interpretation ensued.

National workshops are key opportunities for focal points to receive in-person support with their data collection using the latest methodologies and technologies. Moreover, witnessing results in action sparks motivation among the participants as the next steps are anticipated.

FAO’s global Remote Sensing Survey

Since 1948, FAO has conducted assessments of the condition, extent, management and uses of global forest resources. The assessments compile comprehensive country reports every five years from officially nominated national correspondents using a standardized methodology. The findings of these assessments provide evidence to inform the decisions and recommendations of civil society, the private sector, governments and international conventions.

First developed in 1990, the Remote Sensing Survey is used by FRA to assess the status and changes in tree cover and land use with satellite imagery. Using advanced remote sensing tools and satellite imagery has allowed countries to produce independent and thorough analyses of forest area and how it changes over time at global, regional and biome levels.

Building on the success of the FRA 2020 RSS, which was presented at the World Forestry Congress in 2022, FAO is now conducting a new global survey which will provide up-to-date, reliable and consistent estimates of forest area and forest area change at regional, global and global ecological zones up to the year 2024. The FRA 2025 RSS will update data on variables from the previous cycle and collect new information on agroforestry systems, pastoral systems, types of crops, burned forests, mangroves and trees outside of forests.

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