USGS and CEOS hold Workshop on Deforestation Alerts, Mangrove Mapping and Monitoring in Gabon

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In pursuit of harnessing the potential of Earth observation data for global climate surveillance and governance, a consortium of experts has convened in Libreville, Gabon, for a workshop jointly organised by the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) and the SilvaCarbon programme of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from February 21 to 29, 2024. This workshop will explore two key themes: deforestation alerts and mangrove mapping and monitoring.

Source: AGEOS

The inaugural session commenced with presentations from notable speakers, including the Director General of the Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations (AGEOS), Abubakar Mambimba Ndjoungui, representing the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Andreas Vollrath and Sylvia Wilson from the SilvaCarbon programme at USGS. They set the stage for discussions on integrating Early Warning Systems (EWS) into National Monitoring Systems, emphasising the pivotal role of satellite data in detecting and addressing deforestation challenges.

The emphasis on Early Warning Systems and their integration into National Monitoring Systems highlights a proactive approach to environmental management. By detecting and responding to threats such as deforestation in real time, countries can potentially mitigate the adverse impacts on biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and assist local communities dependent on forest ecosystems.