Satellite estimation of emission factors and emissions of biomass-carbon due to deforestation and forest degradation in Bangladesh for a REDD+ program

Abstract

Deforestation and forest degradation are two important contributors to atmospheric emissions of carbon. To claim carbon credit for conservation plus enhancement of existing forest carbon stock under reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) program, a post-Kyoto climate change mitigation initiative, developing countries need to assess the level of respective forest biomass-carbon and corresponding emissions of carbon in a complete and verifiable manner. We aimed to develop a comprehensive approach following the recommended inter-governmental panel on climate change good practice guidelines to estimate emission factors and emissions of biomass-carbon due to deforestation and forest degradation at Raghunandan Hills Reserved Forest, Bangladesh, for REDD+ implications. The estimation was done using a combination of field and satellite data employing geospatial techniques. The critical assessment provided a comprehensive estimate of the emission factors and emissions of biomass-carbon in the form of maps and statistics with acceptable accuracy. The approaches and findings of this study may have important scientific and management implications including providing baseline information for biomass-carbon stock-related concerns such as REDD+.