First Training of Implementing GLAD System for forest cover change mapping in Nepal

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DFRS

The Department of Forest Research and Survey (DFRS) of Nepal has been participating in the regional SilvaCarbon program since 2013, and has been a member of the Global Forest Observation Initiative (GFOI) since 2008. Within this partnership SilvaCarbon and GFOI are committed to transfer capacity for forest monitoring and reporting under the UNFCC and REDD+ requirements.

In May 2016, a scoping trip with University of Maryland (UMD) and Global Forest Watch was organized in Nepal with DFRS and ICIMOD to identify the opportunities for implementing the Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD) System in Nepal. All partners agreed that implementing the GLAD system and generating annual updates on forest cover change will his activity will directly support DFRS to meet their mandate as a designated agency for producing national forest cover data. In addition, it was agreed that ICIMOD and SERVIR-Himalaya (SERVIR-HKH) will be involved in the process with the view of providing long-term technical support and upscaling the method at regional level.

The first training for initiating the collaboration between the UMD GLAD team and DFRS Nepal and SERVIR- HKH will take place at the Department of Forest Research and Survey offices in Kathmandu, Nepal, from April 24-29.

The first training workshop will aim to provide brief introduction on all methods and tools. The only part of the methodology explained and tested in details will be on sample-based analysis. We expect that the in-depth training on national data management and characterization will be performed during the second training workshop at UMD. The training will pursue the following objectives:

1. Providing an overview of the UMD GLAD methodology for national forest monitoring to DFRS data analysts.

2. Setting up the UMD GLAD hardware/software satellite data analysis tools. Training on software use and data manipulation.

3. Initiating the national sample-based forest cover change analysis for 2000 - 2016 time interval.

 

Training participants:

  • Remote sensing officers from DFRS
  • Representatives from SERVIR-HKH
  • Representatives from SERVIR-Mekong Hub
  • One representative from the Resource Information Management Unit, Department of Forestry, Bangladesh, to share experience and lessons learned with implementing GLAD System in Bangladesh

Provisional workshop schedule:

 

Additional presentation from USAID, DFRS, ICIMOD, and ADPC are welcome; they may be fitted to the schedule during the first two days. The hands-on exercise timing (first day) may be adjusted based on time required to prepare data and software on the new servers.

April 24

 

9:00

Schedule, logistics, aim of the workshop (DFRS/UMD)

9:10

Workshop opening (USAID/DFRS)

9:20

National Forest Monitoring in Nepal (DFRS)

9:40

Regional forest cover monitoring (ICIMOD)

10:00

Break/discussions

10:30

Overview of the GLAD national forest monitoring methodology (UMD)

11:10

Discussion on proposed objectives, definitions, and the national tree cover monitoring work plan (all participants)

11:30

Implementing the GLAD system for forest monitoring in Bangladesh (RIMS)

12:00

Lunch

13:00

Global water monitoring (UMD)

13:30

Introduction to PCI Geomatica (demonstration)

14:00

Data investigation using PCI Geomatica (Landsat annual composites) (hands-on exercise)

15:00

Image classification (national forest map for the year 2016) (demonstration and hands-on exercise).

17:00

End of the day

April 25

 

9:00

Overview of the Landsat data and GLAD processing system (lecture)

10:30

Break/discussions

11:00

Data structure and formats (Metrics, annual tree cover products) (demonstration and hands-on data investigation using PCI Geomatica)

12:00

Lunch

13:00

Metrics, annual tree cover products (demonstration and hands-on data investigation using PCI Geomatica)

14:00

Active learning iterative classification. Re-visiting of the year 2016 forest cover classification output, improving classification by adding training (hands-on exercise)

17:00

End of the day

April 26

 

9:00

Image classification and change detection (lecture)

10:00

Break/discussions

10:30

Change detection, 2000-2016 forest loss for selected region (demonstration and hands-on exercise)

12:00

Lunch

13:00

Post-processing techniques, export, visualization in GIS software, calculating change area (demonstration)

14:00

Active learning iterative classification (forest mask and regional change example) (hands-on exercise)

17:00

End of the day

April 27

 

9:00

Sample-based analysis (lecture)

10:00

Break/discussions

10:30

Sample analysis interface (demonstration).

11:00

Group discussion and sample interpretation exercise.

12:00

Lunch

13:00

Individual/small group sample interpretation. Interpretation may be done on individual laptops and DFRS computers (requires Internet connection, Chrome browser, and Google Earth) (hands-on exercise)

17:00

End of the day

April 28

 

9:00

Sample-based estimation of national forest cover and change (demonstration)

9:40

Individual/small group sample interpretation (hands-on exercise)

12:00

Lunch

13:00

Individual/small group sample interpretation (hands-on exercise)

15:00

Aggregation and analysis of sample interpretation results. Estimation of national forest cover and change (preliminary, based on completed samples) (demonstration and hands-on exercise).

15:30

Discussion on interpretation issues.

16:00

Wrapping up the workshop. Discussion on the next steps of sample-based assessment, second training session objectives, and integration with existing products.

April 29

 

9:00 – 14:00

Discussion on wall-to-wall national mapping and annual map updates at ICIMOD

 

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