FAO: remote sensing of forests from space

Remote satellite sensing is one of the most effective methods of monitoring world’s forests, which for many years has enabled us to track changes in the most preserved areas, forests suffering from serious fragmentation, and conduct assessment at various degrees of complexity and different scales.  

Earth remote sensing satellites (ERS) are extremely useful for monitoring the state and dynamics of the soil cover. Recent advances in satellite imagery and processing tools have significantly expanded the ability to collect and analyze huge amounts of data. 

This week, “Federal Agency for Forestry (Rosleskhoz) together with FAO is holding a workshop on the use of Remote Sensing for conducting Global Forest Resources Assessment,” said Ms Maria Sokolenko, Consultant of the Department of Science and International Cooperation of Rosleskhoz and moderator of the forum, in her opening remarks. 

“While the increased availability and use of satellite remote sensing and the modern computing technology would now allow anyone to process huge amounts of data into a set of mapping products in a relatively short time, such as process would lack one important component – the local expertise,” noted Mr Anssi Pekkarinen, Senior Forestry Officer, Global Forest Resources Assessment, FAO, in his address to the participants of the workshop. 

“Remote sensing data can be converted into high quality information on forests only by combining them with the expert knowledge on the underlying biology, ecology, disturbances and management history. And this is why we are here today – to incorporate the local knowledge, your expertise, into a global effort – the Remote Sensing Survey,” the FAO expert added. 

The workshop united ''a true fold'', stressed Mr Vladimir Dmitriev, Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation of Rosleskhoz. “Our experts represent different regions, e.g. European and Northern part of the Russian Federation, Siberia and the Far East. These are specialists who know exactly what, where and how is growing. Throughout the workshop they will be able to get acquainted with space technologies and Earth Remote Sensing methods.” 

“Forest industry is a field of international cooperation of Russia based on good old traditions, that is developing, perhaps, most dynamically. Recently, in addition to traditional areas, it has also expanded to cover such new tools as digital modeling and analysis of satellite information,” said Mr Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation (FAOLOR), in his opening remarks. “It is a matter of time and FAO is counting on the combined scientific potential of the Russian forestry industry, as well as the contribution of individual Russian experts in their individual capacity.” 

“Based on the results of the training specialists will be selected to take part in the Russian assessment segment, but it will be very useful for other participants as well. All those who have completed the training will be enrolled in the FAO reserve of experts,” underlined Director of FAOLOR, which co-organized the workshop. 

Today, any scientific activities are characterized by an increasingly pronounced international perspective. The forest sector is no exception and our workshop is a step in the right direction,” Mr Oleg Kobiakov concluded.  

Dr Andrey Filipchuk, Deputy Science Director, All-Russian Research Institute for Silviculture and Mechanization of Forestry, has participated in the international reporting within the framework of the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) on behalf of Russia for 30 years.  

“FAO data are the most reliable and accurate, there is high demand for these data from the international community, as well as from the academia and politicians. Global assessments underpinned by interpreted satellite images on the basis of a single method is the kind of information that is trusted worldwide,” the expert noted. 

Today, the assessments of Russian forests stands vary by “dozens and even hundreds of millions of hectares,” Dr Filipchuk added. “A number of questions can be answered through the participation of national experts in this training workshop, while a single methodological framework will allow us to avoid any subjective evaluations and, consequently, make sure that the results are fully trusted.” 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

FAO has regularly collected, analyzed, interpreted and disseminated information on the state of and trends in global forest resources through the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA). Modern FRAs, the latest issued in 2020, are conducted every 5 years aiming to ensure a consistent approach to describing the world’s forests and the way they are changing. 

FAO is taking advantage of recent developments related to the availability of high-resolution satellite imagery and is providing support and cutting-edge technology and tools to help countries to better monitor their forest cover and changes over time through our National Forest Monitoring Programme.

– FAO's Programme of Work In Forestry under the Reviewed Strategic Framework 

– Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020   

– The State of the World’s Forests 2020