In an effort to strengthen global responses to deforestation, the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI) has unveiled a new and highly anticipated Methods and Guidance Documentation (MGD) module on near-real-time (NRT) deforestation alerts. This new guidance outlines the role that NRT deforestation alerts can play in empowering land managers to rapidly respond to stop deforestation and protect the world’s forests and associated carbon resources. To access the MDG module on deforestation alerts, please click here.

Revolutionizing forest conservation with near-real-time alerts

Advancements in satellite technology have enabled unprecedented monitoring of forest loss, allowing for quick detection of tree cover changes on local, regional and global scales. The new GFOI guidance focuses on utilizing these NRT alerts to detect and respond to deforestation events. Generated using optical and radar satellite imagery, these alerts can track changes in forest cover as frequently as daily, depending on the system and environmental conditions. Their rapid nature allows for immediate responses, empowering authorities to intervene quickly and prevent further forest degradation.

According to the GFOI, this guidance is designed to be a vital resource for a range of stakeholders including forest policy experts, law enforcement agencies, conservation practitioners and decision-makers. By interpreting satellite imagery and using integrated deforestation alerts, these groups can identify potential threats, mobilize resources and act on the ground to stop deforestation in its tracks.

GFOI methods and guidance documentation

The GFOI’s MGD Component develops and disseminates supporting materials for forest and carbon monitoring through the GFOI Family of Resources (GFoR). This includes guidance on the integration of remote-sensing and ground-based observations for the estimation of emissions and removal of greenhouse gases in forests, along with REDDcompass, the Registry of Tools and OpenMRV.

The resources managed by the component provide a user-friendly approach to guide countries through the complex processes of national forest monitoring system (NFMS) design, development and ongoing operation. It complements the GFOI partners’ own guidance materials and presents these within the context of complete measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) procedures.