1) What do you think about the methodology used in FRA 2020 Remote Sensing Survey (FRA 2020 RSS) to estimate global and regional variables?
Very comprehensive global, yet country-led and owned process of collecting important forest area and change estimates
The statistical design is stringent and derived estimates seem solid and very useful
I also welcome the important capacity building dimension achieved as part of the global survey
It is an important base to develop future FRA RSS assessment – they should become an essential part of each FRA – not just a side activity as it was in the past
2) Do you agree on the variables reported by FRA 2020 RSS? Are there any variables you would like to propose to be included in the next FRA RSS Cycle in addition to those proposed on this background paper?
The analysis could try distinguish a bit more details on the land use following forest loss or the land cover/use preceding forest expansion. Global and regional data on that is still missing and country experts are best suited to best identify such detail. Such information is under increasing demand for understanding forest changes towards improving land management, reduce deforestation and stimulate more reforestation and restauration.
I was wondering to what extend the RSS could also at least study the option to go to annual change estimation as anticipated in background paper 3 – something that can at least be demonstrated – given a good example might push more countries to participate in such a voluntary scheme towards increasing the temporal detail and SDG reporting
It would be great to have a global map of forests and perhaps forest change that could be developed from the sample data – also something that should explored and presented to FRA as part of the next round
There is a vastly evolving field of space-based biomass estimation at large areas. Aim could be to enhance global/regional biomass defaults, underpin more harmonization in that field, and address countries with significant gaps - the RSS could consider how to link to this effort given that quality and characteristics of country NFI is varying – at least some specific country case studies can be developed
3) Do you agree on building on top of the samples already collected by adding additional samples on changes detected between 2018 and 2023?
There needs to be a refined sampling that considers the need for “permanent” samples that underpin global and regional forest area estimation and the need to track changes with precision through additional (temporal?) samples and perhaps interpretation of drivers. Particular effort should also be put on identifying and characterizing areas of forest expansion and enhancements.
Prof. Martin Herold
1) What do you think about the methodology used in FRA 2020 Remote Sensing Survey (FRA 2020 RSS) to estimate global and regional variables?
2) Do you agree on the variables reported by FRA 2020 RSS? Are there any variables you would like to propose to be included in the next FRA RSS Cycle in addition to those proposed on this background paper?
3) Do you agree on building on top of the samples already collected by adding additional samples on changes detected between 2018 and 2023?
There needs to be a refined sampling that considers the need for “permanent” samples that underpin global and regional forest area estimation and the need to track changes with precision through additional (temporal?) samples and perhaps interpretation of drivers. Particular effort should also be put on identifying and characterizing areas of forest expansion and enhancements.