BIOMASS RESEARCH

 The project “Strengthening Institutional Capacity on REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) in the Congo Basin” has received a grant from GEF of $ 13 million administered by the World Bank. This five-year project will improve the knowledge and coordination on REDD in the Congo Basin, strengthen technical capacity for measurement and monitoring of carbon stocks in forests of the Congo Basin, and to help integrate the concept of REDD projects in SFM. The six countries with high forest of the Congo Basin (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo) agreed to coordinate their efforts for the conservation and sustainable management of forests in their respective countries. The Central Africa Forests Commission (COMIFAC), which was established in 2005 as a regional authority responsible for policy and technical guidance, monitors and coordinates this effort. I have accepted to provide scientific coordination of the Central Africa REDD+ project component “Development of allometric equations for the forests of the Congo Basin”. The project will consist of carrying biomass data within 6 countries involved in partnership with local private institutions, research institutions and universities.

 The expectation of the project is to provide country specific allometric equations as well as regional allometric equations valid for the main species and also for group species within the main vegetation types of the Congo Basin. The approach for data collection is to establish extensive data collection plots as well as research plots. In the extensive data collection plots a unique methodology will be applied for biomass data collection whereas in research plots, a specific methodology will be applied in some plots to allow having additional data that will support investigation to better understand tree allometry in the Congo Basin.

 The initial advantages for students include providing research opportunities and a site for training in the second largest tropical forest in the world and allometric calculations. Permanent plots serve as site for investigation. Some research ideas include:

• Using the water and air pressure exaction method to investigate the root systems of trees and the contribution of belowground biomass to the biomass
• Using the Ground penetrating Radar to investigate the coarse root systems
• Using the Relascope of Bitterlich to integrate significant amount of bigger trees in tree allometry studies.
• Wood density and carbon variation on tree assortments in the Congo basin
• Liana allometric biomass equations for primary and secondary forest in the Congo Basin
• Influence of buttress trees in the tree allometry studies
• Using allometric equations and remote sensing to estimate the biomass, carbon stocks and fluxes
• Application of photogrammetry to estimate irregular contour trees
• Use of LIDAR techniques to estimate the biomass of the crown

FOREST MANAGEMENT AND SOCIETY

The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010 (FAO, 2010), noted that the overall rate of deforestation remained alarmingly high, although the rate was slowing. Major trends in the extent of forests, and changes in the rates of forest loss, as well as the current state of productive and protective forests, show disparities between the six regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Near East and North America. The highest forest area worldwide was found in Europe, primarily because of the vast swaths of forest in the Russian Federation, while Latin America and the Caribbean had the highest net forest loss over the last decade.

 Africa: Although continued forest loss was reported in Africa, the overall trend in net forest loss in the region slowed between 1990 and 2010. The area of planted forests was increasing in Africa, in particular in West and North Africa. There were notable increases in the area designated for conservation of biodiversity, mostly as a result of changes in the designation of some forests in Central and East Africa. However, there were declines in productive forest areas.

 Asia and the Pacific: The extent of forests in Asia and the Pacific has changed dramatically over the past two decades. In the 1990s, the region experienced a net forest loss of 0.7 million hectares per year, while in the last decade the forest area increased by an average of 1.4 million hectares per year. The planted forest area also substantially increased through afforestation programmes, mainly as a result of programmes in China, India and Viet Nam. The area of primary forests decreased in all Asia and the Pacific sub-regions in the last decade, despite the fact that the area designated for conservation of biodiversity increased in the same period. With the exception of the South Asia and Oceania sub-regions, the area of productive forests declined over the last decade.

Europe: Europe contained the largest area of forests compared with other regions, totalling 1 billion hectares. Europe’s forest area continued to grow between 1990 and 2000, although the overall rate of increase slowed during the last decade. The Russian Federation, which contained 80 percent of Europe’s forest area, showed minimal declines in forest area after 2000. The rate of expansion of planted forest area also decreased in the last decade when compared with global trends. The area designated for productive functions declined in the 1990s, although this trend reversed in the last decade. Wood removals in Europe also showed variable trends over the last 20 years and have declined as a result of the 2008–2009 recession in Europe, which lowered demand for wood.

 Latin America and the Caribbean: Nearly half of the Latin American and Caribbean region was covered by forests in 2010. Forest area declined in Central and South America over the last two decades, with the leading cause of deforestation being the conversion of forest land to agriculture. Although the overall planted forest area was relatively small, it expanded at a rate of 3.2 percent per year over the last decade. The region contained over half of the world’s primary forests (57 percent), which was mostly located in inaccessible areas. About 14 percent of all forest area in the region was designated primarily for production. Wood removals continued to rise with more than half removed for woodfuel.

 The Near East: The Near East region has a small forest area, with 26 countries in the region categorized as low forest cover countries. The region showed a net gain in forest area over the last decade. Planted forest area increased by about 14 percent in the region in the last 20 years, particularly as a result of expansion of these areas in West Asia and North Africa. During the last decade, the area of primary forests has remained largely stable, with Sudan containing the largest area of primary forest. The Near East saw a decline in the area designated for productive functions in the 1990s, although the trend reversed slightly in the last decade.

 North America: North America showed a slight increase in forest area between 1990 and 2010. The planted forest area also increased, and the region showed a relatively stable, positive trend in the level of biomass it contained. This region accounted for about 25 percent of global primary forests. The area of forest designated primarily for soil and water conservation was less than in other regions, as the management of these areas is largely embedded in national and local laws and other forest management guidance.

About 10 percent of wood was removed for wood-fuel, with the remaining amount removed for industrial round-wood. Employment trends in the United States of America and Canada’s forest sectors showed a decline over the last decade.

 Climate change mitigation and adaptation: Over the last few years, forestry has become a critical part of the international climate change agenda. Governments have already agreed on the potential importance of REDD+, and have provided large financial resources to initiate pilot activities. Nevertheless, the long-term sustainability of climate change and forestry activities will depend on a number of factors, including effective forest governance, secure forest carbon tenure and equitable benefit sharing, and integration of adaptation actions into climate change policies and projects, among others.

 Details: State of the World’s Forests (PDF)

 IFER research team assists the society (government agencies, international and local NGOs, logging companies, etc.) in the sustainable management of the forest resources. Our research includes:

-      Investigating forest inventory scenarios and developing inventory design for national forest inventories, regional and local forest inventories

-      Developing forest management scenarios that may allow to reduce the impact of logging and forest management on the remaining carbon stocks

-      Developing allometric models that may allow to estimate with accuracy the biomass and carbon pools from the forest

-      Developing forest management models for REDD+ initiatives

-      Investigating the contribution of Central Africa forests and other tropical forests in the global carbon budget and respond to the question of the missing sink.

 For further question concerning this research and/or request for collaboration, contact Dr. Adrien Djomo.

 

SAVE OUR PLANET

 Our planet the earth is experiencing today a critical situation that has never existed for more than 400 million years of presence of live. In less than 100 years the human population raised at more than fifth fold, the pressure on our biodiversity has reached a level that many species are going extent every day, the hole in ozone layer is increasing every year, the climate catastrophic has reached its maximum, pollution are creating more and new diseases, the Kyoto protocol which has been the hope for slowing humankind action on earth is at its most critical phase. Canada has withdrawn from this protocol without promising any alternative for mitigation, the USA has not moved forward with its position on environment, and so is in some countries with unclear position such as China, India, Australia, etc. Deforestation is still progressing at large pace in the tropics. Politicians have failed to address the right environmental problems. In this context, we need to raise more attention on environmental issues at all level to find new solutions to threat our sick earth, our sick environment. Many attempts have been made already; we need to continue to join hand between all stakeholders to find solutions and seek means for urgent implementation. In this context an environmental program “Save our Planet” is a medium for all stakeholders to join hands to find new and practical solutions to heal our live.

 Goal

Save our Planet is a TV program designed to create a platform of discussion to increase awareness on the environmental crisis and find practical, new, original solutions to move politicians, businesses, farmers, scientists, students, youths and general public on the environmental problems at all levels during the next decades. Another aim of the program is to move general public through the implementation of existing good solutions.

 The objectives of the program

- invite politician, businesses, farmers, scientists, students, to discuss on critical environmental issue and propose solutions to heal our planet

- allow students from universities and secondary schools to propose solutions for our generation

- give awards to people who have inspired environmental change in their area.

 View shows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBQC32o6G8g

 

MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM: TROPICAL, INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY AND GEOGRAPHY

 Introduction

With the effect of climate change on our earth, the role forests may play as a source of carbon sequestration in the case of forest growth or source of emission of carbon have increase. International agreements most especially under REDD has recognized the importance of integrating the deforestation, forest degradation, sustainable management and forests conservation under the term REDD+. As one of the financial contributors for the REDD program, the World Bank has created a $300 million fund, the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). Only this financial incentive shows the importance on forests at the global level.

 Goals and Degree

The MSc programme “Tropical, International Forestry and Geography” is an interdisciplinary programme that brings together researchers from different department in the faculty of arts and sciences (department of Geography, department of biology, environmental studies, global development studies, etc.). The course focuses on the sustainable management of forest ecosystems, the use of remote sensing and GIS technology to monitor land-use change and the global development policies of the climate regime).

 Along with formal course-work, students gain work- and life-experience by interacting with colleagues and professors from all around the world, increase their collaboration skills during group projects, and improve their language skills. Professional contact established during this MSc programme is an excellent way to expand the students’ professional network. After their graduation students receive an internationally approved title as Master of Science (MSc).

 Target Groups

This MSc programme is geared towards students who are interested in a professional career in the following fields of work: sustainable management and conservation of forests, international research, international development organizations and institutions which have specialized in aspects and problems of forest management. This programme also welcomes students who have already gained professional experience in their home country and wish to specialize in the field of tropical, international forestry and geography.

 

 

 

Professional Opportunities

The knowledge and experience gained through the programme qualifies and enables students to pursue a professional career in the following fields:

• International organizations      (e.g. FAO, UNEP, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, African Development      Bank, etc.)
• Wood processing industry
• Consulting (wood      certification, carbon sequestration, watershed management etc.)
• Research and teaching at      universities and international research organizations (CIFOR, ICRAF etc.)
• Non-governmental      organizations (NGOs)
• Government development      organizations (e.g. CIDA, IDRC, etc).

  

EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

 Study abroad positively influences academic and career choices, confidence, independence and broadened global perspective that will shape you in ways you can’t imagine. Broadening your environmental experience by making field trips in wild forests in Central Africa, attending some universities lectures and visiting exceptional touristic areas will help you to have a different picture on life and decide with more confidence in the orientation for your future career.

Students from Central Africa partner’s universities are welcome to visit Queen’s University and meet students, researchers and professors that are all eager to help visiting students to make the best use of their time while being at Kingston.

Some reasons to Study Abroad include:

1. Becoming environmental friendly in all your approach: meeting people with little income per day who take pride of life and enjoy essential resources for their daily life will shape your perception on nature.
2. Making field study in Africa: The exchange program is an exceptional opportunity to make field studies in different ecosystems of tropical forests and will help you to develop your international experience on sustainable management of natural resources
3. Learn from another culture: Study abroad immerse to another language and culture which enlarge your global comprehension of the world
4. Becoming a leader: Study abroad is done only by exceptional people who with so doing become a leader among their pears
5. Be Yourself: meeting different people and learn more about yourself and the world around you
6. Students from developing countries have occasion to meet with other students, high skill professors and work with advanced technologies that may help to change their perceptions

Further information for outgoing students at http://www.quic.queensu.ca/outgoing/funding.asp

Further information for incoming students at http://www.quic.queensu.ca/incoming/