Transforming forest monitoring through innovation: FAO and the NICFI Satellite Data Program
On March 21st, the International Day of Forests celebrated the pivotal role of innovation in transforming forest monitoring. A key aspect of FAO and partner countries’ innovative work is the utilization of Planet's high-resolution satellite imagery through the NICFI Satellite Data Program. This initiative is driving impactful change across diverse landscapes.
Let’s delve into some key statics that underscore the success of the NICFI Satellite Data Program in recent years:
- Over 26,000 registered users across 158 countries worldwide.
- A staggering 280 million tiles streamed for high-resolution tropical forest monitoring. Users are advancing innovations across various fronts, including land use conversion detection and classification, forest area change, and deforestation detection and alerting.
- 72% of users acknowledge the instrumental role of the NICFI Satellite Data Program in achieving their conservation goals, with 90% expressing willingness to recommend the Program to others.
Furthermore, the FAO statistics reveal:
- More than 90 million of tiles streamed by FAO, including Open Foris’s Collect Earth and SEPAL.
- Approximately 2.3 million daily data tiles streamed.
- Approximately 7.4 million square kilometers of daily imagery downloaded.
Here are some examples of how FAO is enabling forest monitoring through the NICFI Satellite Data Program in different countries:
The Democratic Republic of Congo by Planet, taken on March 29, 2024.
In the heart of Africa's lush Congo Basin, six countries are embarking on a transformative journey. Through the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), they are harnessing the power of NICFI Satellite Data Program Planet Basemaps. With unprecedented insights, these nations are unraveling the complexity of deforestation and degradation drivers, guiding the formulation of robust policies to safeguard their invaluable natural heritage.
Technological innovation driving transparent forest monitoring and reporting for climate action. Landsat, Sentinel and Planet imagery used in UNFCCC reference level submissions.
Meanwhile, across the globe, partner countries engaged in reducing deforestation are leveraging high-resolution data in their Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) efforts. Countries like Costa Rica, Cameroon, Mozambique, Tanzania, Cote d'Ivoire, and Ethiopia are witnessing innovative solutions taking root. Consequently, these nations are securing performance-based payments for their efforts in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
Ecuador, nestled within the vast Amazon rainforest, exemplifies the transformative power of innovation. The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE) has utilized satellite data to enhance the accuracy of historical deforestation maps. These refined baselines are fundamental to Ecuador's MRV framework, facilitating more effective conservation strategies.
In Gabon, AGEOS workshops in partnership with FAO have trained stakeholders in utilizing the NICFI Satellite Data Program to gain insights into direct drivers of deforestation. This has paved the way for targeted interventions and sustainable land use practices.
On another front, Ghana a pioneer in reshaping climate action, is leveraging the NICFI Satellite Data Program within FAO's Open Foris and SEPAL platforms. The country has unlocked a wealth of data-driven insights, enabling Ghana to secure approximately $5 million in performance-based payments from the World Bank's Carbon Fund. Recently it has also submitted forest-related emission reductions to ART-TREES, making it the first African country to do and the third worldwide. This achievement highlights the crucial role of innovation in driving tangible results and catalyzing positive change.
These examples show how through collaboration, innovation, and steadfast commitment, partner countries, with FAO support, are transforming forest conservation. With the use of Planet’s high-resolution satellite imagery, through NICFI Satellite Data Program imagery, and a common goal of sustainability, these countries are leading the way in innovative forest monitoring practices.