1. I G O L Integrated Global Observations of the Land John S.Latham FAO-SDRN GTOS IGOL Rome, 13 th -15 th September 2004 A new theme for the IGOS Partnership

2. Outline - Agriculture related applications Introduction Meeting International Obligations for Standardized Reporting MEA, Conventions Land Cover – its central role Agricultural Applications - by FAO example - but really holistic requirements

3. Challenges – IGOL/GEO et al. a unique opportunity to improve the situation for an improved integrated earth observing strategy Terrestrial science community – Build strong, effective groups to secure support for operational terrestrial monitoring (satellite and in situ) systems as already exist for oceans and the atmosphere – Enhance the collection and use of data, moving from supply to demand-driven systems that are product orientated and harmonized regardless of scale of observation – global to local and vice versa. – Define the terrestrial observational requirements jointly with the user community? how to engage and build consensus for IGOL ? User w/s? – Design and implement observation and information systems with measurements of known accuracy and quality to demonstrate what is needed and why it is worth doing

4. Roles and Responsibilities The Conventions and the COP process through International agencies e.g. UNEP, FAO, WMO and UNESCO and their partners provide the principal international coordination mechanisms for specifying requirements for land and in establishing protocols and standards for collection of observations. How do we engage them effectively? How will we reflect true product needs not just observational requirements? Need to bring the critical role of the Global Terrestrial Observing System ( GTOS) into IGOL which has prime responsibility of the global observing systems for international coordination of terrestrial parameters.

5. Stake-holders At an international level improved observations will help organizations in and outside the UN such as FAO, UNEP and WMO as well as NGO’s and carry out improved assessments, monitoring. This in turn will help national governments make improved policy decisions related to Nat Resources management in all its components – we need to emphasize capacity development as part of the process Assist Organizations in meeting recommendations of MA and assist the COP improve the definition of their requirements Recognize that the user community is often limited in executing its programs by the insufficient quality of terrestrial observations esp. in situ. need for improved densification, reliability, periodicity and consistency of information.

6. Multiple Users among Conventions Research, UN Data, National and International Assessments IPCC FCCC SBSTA CBDCCDRamsar SBSTTA CST STRP IGOL – products and services should reflect recomm. MA

7. Defining IGOL “Users” Convention to Combat Desertification CONVENTION ON WETLANDS CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Conventions: International Orgs: Private Sector: Individual Companies, ‘intermediaries’ Trade Organizations National and Sub-National Government Ministries Local Communities & Civil Society Authorizing Environment Additional Audiences Targeted... others

8. Summary of UN Int. Requirements UNEP Environmental Assessment Global, regional, sectoral Early Warning FAO (from individual farmers to government policy makers) Food security Sustainable agriculture, forestry and fisheries -SARD International obligations - conventions

9. Reliable knowledge of land cover and land cover change is central to most aspects of a Land Theme. Remote sensing with selected in situ data collection has the potential to provide such information both locally regionally and globally- part of an integrated approach Central role of Land Cover and Remote Sensing in the Land theme

10. Land Cover / Land Cover Dynamics

11. Includes vegetation and man-made features as well as bare rock, bare soil and inland water surfaces Characterized by the arrangements, activities and inputs people have undertaken on a certain land cover type to produce, change or maintain it Differentiated from "land use" which deals with the socio economic inputs to land – e.g. tenure, rotation, fertilizer etc. Land Cover- what do we mean? Oregon, USA USA-Mexico border Yangtze River, China "Observed (bio)physical cover of the earth surface"

12. Land Cover versus Land Use – we need both – how realistic is this? "Observed (bio)physical cover of the earth surface" Includes vegetation and man-made features as well as bare rock, bare soil and inland water surfaces Characterized by the arrangements, activities and inputs people have undertaken on a certain land cover type to produce, change or maintain it Differentiated from "land use" which deals with the socio economic inputs to land – e.g. tenure, rotation, fertilizer etc. 19951997 Single forest cover - multiple possible ‘uses’ timber production slash & burn agriculture hunting/ gathering fuel-wood collection recreation wildlife preserve watershed protection Amazon: parts of Tocantins, Maranhao and Para States, Brazil

13. Assessing progress made towards conventions and treaties Quantifying and understanding how policy impacts the composition and configuration of the various land-covers Measuring agricultural, urban, forestry expansion and the concomitant loss of natural ecosystems and related services Prioritizing activities (e.g. reforestation) to address multi- objectives (e.g. water quality and biodiversity) Assessing the magnitudes and distributions of global carbon sources and sinks and the processes controlling their dynamics Holistic and integrated approach to the conservation and sustainable use of land resources taking into account their multiple roles and functions: sustainability and equity Land cover information in support of: Land Cover: multi-purpose information for multi-user

14. To improve observational requirements we need to articulate: What are the primary drivers and processes of land cover change at local, regional, and global levels, and how can land cover be projected over time? What tools or methods are needed to allow a better characterization of historic and current land cover characteristics and dynamics? What are the consequences of land cover change on ecosystem services at regional and global scales? Others…? Challenges

15. Ecosystem Services Provisioning: e.g. Food, Water, Fibre, Fuel, Other biological products Supporting: e.g. Biodiversity, Soil formation, Pollination, Waste treatment, Nutrient cycling, Enriching: e.g. Cultural, Aesthetic, Social relations Ecosystem services are the conditions and processes supported by biodiversity through which ecosystems sustain and fulfil human life, including through the provision of goods.

16. Human institutions Population conditions, size and distribution Social and economic factors Resources access, availability, utilization Climate and land use changes Large, infrequent or recurrent disturbances (flooding, drought, volcanic eruptions, fires, and large storms) Drivers of land cover change of primary interest

17. Biophysical/biogeochemical consequences of land use change Human drivers of land use change Impacts on sustainability Land cover observations Understanding causes/consequences of land cover/use change

18. Continuity of data supply – consistency of observations – e.g. Landsat data continuity, SPOT etc Foundation: harmonised classification – common language – LCCS Robust and proven methodology for assessing Land Cover dynamics Consistent in situ measurements Validation strategy and defined accuracy for all products What are the tools or methods are needed to allow a better characterization of historic and current land cover characteristics and dynamics?

19. Climate Change Land Degradation Pollution and Toxicity Food Insecurity Deforestation Carbon Transfers Loss of Biodiversity Changes in fresh water availability What are the consequences of land cover change on ecosystem services at regional and global scales?

20. Land Cover and Land Use Land cover and land use are central to the land theme. Land cover has major impacts on sustainable land use, biodiversity, conservation, biogeochemical cycles, as well as for land-atmosphere interactions affecting climate and as an indicator of climate change, especially regional climate change. Fundamental to IGOL are consistent observations for the characterization, monitoring and understanding of land cover and its socio-economic and biophysical drivers. Specification of requirements for some land cover observations has already been included in the carbon theme, but these may be insufficient for all requirements. The global provision of both medium resolution (250m-1km resolution) products on an intra annual basis and fine resolution products (25-50m) every year will provide a valuable basic source of information for all the sub-themes.

21. Land Cover and Land Use A crucial deficiency currently is the absence of internationally agreed protocols for definition of the products, observations, validation of land cover and land cover change products. Regular collection of in situ data is critical for an integrated and calibrated range of products.

22. land cover at tens of metres should be obtained globally, every year – processing and interpretation bottlenecks – instit. partitioning Satellite: Land cover

23. Global Land Cover Product (1992, 1 km) Source: Townshend/UMD, U.S. land cover at hundreds of metres can be obtained globally, every 3 months or less – should be timed to assess growing season longevity/AEZ zonation Satellite: Land cover

24. Source: Belward/JRC, EU Active fires distribution (2000/10/12, 1 km) burning can be mapped globally, daily/weekly – need for susceptibility, real time fires and scars Needs Instit. ownership & uptake Satellite: Fires

25. Integration of earth observations Needs coordination mechanism? What is that? how can it improve? Ex situ In situ

26. Other FAO Requirements

27. FAO strategic framework 2000-2015 Contribution to eradication of food insecurity and poverty Promotion of enabling policies and regulatory framework Creating sustainable increase in supply of food and other agriculture products Supporting integrated management and sustainable use of natural resources Information and knowledge management

28. FAO activities with RS and geo-spatial components Global, regional and national early warning for food security Crop conditions monitoring, yield forecasting Food insecurity and vulnerability information mapping Land cover mapping Desert locust monitoring Land Degradation assessment Global forest resources assessment Natural disaster and emergency support Poverty mapping Fire monitoring Corporate spatial information standardization and dynamic, open access provision – GeoNetwork and Dynamic Atlas

29. FAO - Institutional Needs Technical Cooperation Department IGOL Economic and Social Department Sustainable Development Department Fisheries Department Agriculture Department Forestry Department

30. Agriculture Department Promotes food security and sustainable development into the next millennium, and implement FAO’s major programmes on agricultural production and support systems Land cover information in support of: – Monitoring changes in land degradation and the water regime (e.g. due to deforestation, overgrazing, diversion of water resources, urbanization, etc.) – Early warning information on Locust invasion – Identifying adequate unused potential farmland – Developing agricultural policies leading to sustainable and intensified farming practices including diversification where technically feasible and economically, socially and environmentally viable – Prioritizing watersheds for conservation and restoration – Minimizing the environmental impacts of agriculture and making sure that the benefits reach to the poor and marginal areas: sustainability and equity Land cover change assessment (Madagascar)

31. 1. Indicators on State of land degradation 1. Indicators on State of land degradation Examples Examples of biophysical indicators of land degradation: Soils:Soils: Erosion - rate of soil lossErosion - rate of soil loss Soil organic matter - top soil carbonSoil organic matter - top soil carbon Soil nutrient balance, calculated for present land useSoil nutrient balance, calculated for present land use Vegetation:Vegetation: Annual rate of forest clearance, percentAnnual rate of forest clearance, percent Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI)Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) Water resources:Water resources: Monitored levels of water tables; monitored river flow regimesMonitored levels of water tables; monitored river flow regimes Degradation of agricultural land:Degradation of agricultural land: Changes in crop areas, yields, crop mixturesChanges in crop areas, yields, crop mixtures Changes in livestock numbers, outputs, kinds of livestockChanges in livestock numbers, outputs, kinds of livestock.

32. Indicators on State of land degradation Examples of biophysical indicators of land degradation: – Soils: Erosion - rate of soil loss Soil organic matter - top soil carbon Soil nutrient balance, calculated for present land use – Vegetation: Annual rate of forest clearance, percent Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) – Water resources: Monitored levels of water tables; monitored river flow regimes – Degradation of agricultural land: Changes in crop areas, yields, crop mixtures Changes in livestock numbers, outputs, kinds of livestock.

33. Objectives of LADA The main objective of LADA is to provide basic standardised information and methodological tools for land degradation assessment at national,regional and global levels”. “The main objective of LADA is to provide basic standardised information and methodological tools for land degradation assessment at national,regional and global levels”. The project will also: Assess the impacts of land degradation on ecosystems, international waters, shared river basins...(other impacts).Assess the impacts of land degradation on ecosystems, international waters, shared river basins...(other impacts). Consider relations between degradation and carbon sequestration.Consider relations between degradation and carbon sequestration. Analyse linkages with GEF focal areas: biological diversity, climate change, international waters, (the ozone layer).Analyse linkages with GEF focal areas: biological diversity, climate change, international waters, (the ozone layer). Provide priorities of GEF interventions in the cross-cutting area of land degradationProvide priorities of GEF interventions in the cross-cutting area of land degradation

34. biodiversity:biodiversity: decrease of indigenous species of importance for the agriculture sectordecrease of indigenous species of importance for the agriculture sector (croplands, trees, rangelands) (croplands, trees, rangelands) carbon :carbon : as derived from soil organic matteras derived from soil organic matter as derived from vegetation biomassas derived from vegetation biomass. More difficult ( very little agreement yet)...and could be considered as impact indicators? Examples Examples of biophysical indicators of land degradation: are they observable?

35. Agriculture Department Promotes food security and sustainable development into the next millennium, and implement FAO’s major programmes on agricultural production and support systems Land cover information in support of: – Monitoring changes in land degradation and the water regime (e.g. due to deforestation, overgrazing, diversion of water resources, urbanization, etc.) – Early warning information on Locust invasion – Identifying adequate unused potential farmland – Developing agricultural policies leading to sustainable and intensified farming practices including diversification where technically feasible and economically, socially and environmentally viable – Prioritizing watersheds for conservation and restoration – Minimizing the environmental impacts of agriculture and making sure that the benefits reach to the poor and marginal areas: sustainability and equity Active desert locust breeding habitats in NE Mali following seasonal rainfall and vegetation development (Aug/Sep 1999) Support to analysis and interpretation of dynamic low resolution datasets for food security early warning and locust forecasting at national and sub-national levels Support to environmental characterization and habitat mapping for food security related applications.

36. Locust risk map (Eritrea) 3 dimensional digital terrain view Landsat TM

37. Agriculture Department Promotes food security and sustainable development into the next millennium, and implement FAO’s major programmes on agricultural production and support systems Land cover information in support of: – Monitoring changes in land degradation and the water regime (e.g. due to deforestation, overgrazing, diversion of water resources, urbanization, etc.) – Early warning information on Locust invasion – Definition of farming systems – linking land cover and length of growing season, environmental impediments to agric., including irrigated/non irrigated area – Prioritizing watersheds for conservation and restoration – Minimizing the environmental impacts of agriculture and making sure that the benefits reach to the poor and marginal areas: sustainability and equity

38. Farming Systems

40. Agriculture Department Promotes food security and sustainable development into the next millennium, and implement FAO’s major programmes on agricultural production and support systems Land cover information in support of: – Monitoring changes in land degradation and the water regime (e.g. due to deforestation, overgrazing, diversion of water resources, urbanization, etc.) – Early warning information on Locust invasion – Identifying adequate unused potential farmland – Developing agricultural policies leading to sustainable and intensified farming practices including diversification where technically feasible and economically, socially and environmentally viable – Prioritizing watersheds for conservation and restoration – Minimizing the environmental impacts of agriculture and making sure that the benefits reach to the poor and marginal areas: sustainability and equity

41. River Basin Management- understanding water availability/transfers

42. FAO - Institutional Needs Technical Cooperation Department IGOL Economic and Social Department Sustainable Development Department Fisheries Department Agriculture Department Forestry Department

43. Helps nation manage their forests in a sustainable way Monitoring large scale deforestation, changes in wetlands and areas of cultivated land for quantification of carbon sinks and sources Inventorying of global forest cover loss of biodiversity, habitat degradation and fragmentation Protecting the environmental services provided by forests Promoting forestland patterns and systems more resistant to disturbances Prioritizing areas for management, rehabilitation and conservation of forestlands:sustainability and equity Land cover information in support of: Forestry Department

44. Led by Erika Lepers Department of Geography University of Louvain, Belgium Draft map Areas of rapid deforestation World

45. Information framework for Global Monitoring of Forests, Land use and the Environment Objectives – To better link global, regional and national studies on forest, land use, and the environment – To improve standardization, homogenization, compatibility and efficiency of information provided by different applications and providers – send a common message – To provide information that improves design and efficiency of sampling for national forest assessment linked to improved global observing strategies and disturbances – To increase use and sharing of remote sensing data

46. Proposed scope of GFRA Forest Resources Assessment Global and regional monitoring of forest extent done through application of remote sensing and sampling schemes. 1998 1988 1977

47. FAO - Institutional Needs Technical Cooperation Department IGOL Economic and Social Department Sustainable Development Department Fisheries Department Agriculture Department Forestry Department

48. Economic and Social Department (1) Ensures the development of policies, strategies and guidelines and provides advisory and technical services to FAO members; and (2) collects, analyzes and disseminates information in the relevant fields of competence to FAO members Assessing the impact of land cover dynamics on the different socioeconomic and environmental dimensions of food insecurity, which include peoples’ livelihoods and vulnerability Strengthening population livelihoods by taking advantage of the synergies between urban, agricultural, forestry, and fisheries activities Exploring successes and constraints in adapting food security policies to prevailing drought conditions. – definition of onset of adverse conditions Advancing the understanding of community dynamics, and assist decision- making at the community and national levels for food security and reduction of vulnerability: sustainability and equity Land cover information in support of:

49. The FAO Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) was established in 1975 and monitors the global food supply and demand in order to provide timely warnings of impending food supply problems facing individual countries. The system issues reports in up to 5 languages and make extensive use of computer technologies to assist in its analysis. GIEWS reports to the international community through its regular publications and through the FAO WWW server. The GIEWS provides detailed country specific level information on FAO website at WWW.FAO.ORG/GIEWS Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS)

50. GIEWS has developed a new internet- based system known as GeoWeb which allows users to access GIEWS Workstation databases and tools via the Internet in three languages. Users can develop their own maps on demand by combining the latest satellite images and digital maps. GIEWS has developed an on-line database on food and agriculture for for many countries in Africa. The on-line database contains base maps, up-to-date satellite images provided by ARTEMIS, information on crops, climate, and population.

51. Observational Needs – and Socio / Econ. Needs - Have access to data related to the food security indicators listed below: – Environmental Weather (precipitation, temperature, soil moisture, special events, disasters) Vegetation (Biomass/greenness, stress) – Primary Production Crop situation (Start of growing season, planting, evolution, peak of season biomass, harvest time, yield forecast, production estimates) Better definition of land cover/ use, agricultural area by crop type and, if possible, crop acreage estimates Capacity to verify NDVI interpretation based on higher resolution sensors – Economic and Social data Integration – Macro – micro levels scaling issues- aggregation, disaggregation, data collection issues – sampling, census? Quality control and validation? Terminology highly variable between countries. World market (availability, prices) Local market (availability, prices), Trade, accessibility, productivity indicators, pop data, etc..etc etc. demographics human and animal, Reliability and availability of time series? Global needs some improved consistency RS observations are Tran boundary how do we harmonise the same for socio/econ variables e.g. FAO/CESIN new pop product, human influence over time on land management, pop movement – urbanization/ degradation/loss of agric land, huge geographical variations in availability and quality

53. FAO - Institutional Needs Technical Cooperation Department IGOL Economic and Social Department Sustainable Development Department Fisheries Department Agriculture Department Forestry Department

54. Facilitates and secures the long-term sustainable development and utilization of the world’s fisheries and aquaculture Monitoring the degradation of fisheries resources Integrated planning of both terrestrial and marine environments to prevent their degradation through the sound management of land and coastal resources Reducing land degradation and enhancing coastal protection through, inter alias, intensified soil conservation, deforestation and reforestation activities Ensure that aquaculture practices are compatible with the ecosystems services Introducing or strengthening aquaculture and inland fisheries where technically feasible and economically, socially and environmentally viable: sustainability and equity Land cover information in support of: Fisheries Department

55. Suitability of small-scale farming and potential yield (crops/y) of Nile tilapia in Africa. Source: Aguilar-Manjarrez, J., and Nath, S.S. (1998); http://www.fao.org/docrep/W8522e/W8522E00.htm#TOC GIS / Remote Sensing at FAO-FIRI

56. Products Inland fisheries – Fishery planning and management. GLC for wet and dry season: importance of seasonal wetlands, marshes, and lakes in regards to inland fisheries – fisheries food security index Aquaculture – Planning aquaculture development. Determining high-potential aquaculture development areas and evaluating impact on the environment at the regional level. Constraints – Mapping aquaculture structures. Aquaculture farms cannot be seen or can be confused with other features at GLC resolution African Water Resource Database GIS Manual SAR

57. Aswan Dam Construction (low - 1902, high - 1964) – change hydrological/sedimentological/nutrient cycles – erosion -> risk to coastal cities & infrastructure – siltation (lagoons/waterways) -> water quality issues & shipping endangered – land subsistence -> sea level rise risk heightened – salinization of agricultural lands -> production compromised – fishery yields decline & change composition fish communities Demographic pressures (est.100million by 2025) & economic growth – land development – pollution / water quality problems – food security --> – public health issues – coastal habitats, wetlands, lagoons threatened – biodiversity threatened (eg. overwintering bird populations) – pressures on agriculture, capture fisheries & aquaculture Anthropogenic Impacts on Nile Delta Ecosystem Anthropogenic Impacts on Delta Ecosystem high observ req – coastal analysis E.G. Nile Delta

58. FAO - Institutional Needs Fisheries Department Forestry Department Technical Cooperation Department IGOL Economic and Social Department Sustainable Development Department Agriculture Department

59. Responsible of the operational activities of FAO, including policy assistance, investment support and the overall management of activities associated with the formulation and implementation of in-country, sub regional and regional programmes and projects, including those in response to a natural or man-made disaster Minimizing the vulnerability to and spatial and temporal impacts of natural and man- made hazards, climate fluctuations, fires, pests and diseases through the formulation of disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies Evaluating the impact of a natural and man-made disasters on land cover services Linking preparedness, relief, response, rehabilitation and development activities Prioritizing areas for emergency interventions: Sustainability and equity Land cover information in support of: Technical Cooperation Department

60. FAO - Institutional Needs Technical Cooperation Department IGOL Economic and Social Department Sustainable Development Department Fisheries Department Agriculture Department Forestry Department

61. How much will you harvest? Weather is the main single factor responsible for the year-to-year variations in crop yield. FAO agrometeorologists closely monitor crop conditions in Africa and extreme phenomena, such as El Niño. Crop-weather models are also used for the assessment of environmental risk and climate change impact. Crop-weather models are also used for the assessment of environmental risk and climate change impact. Agrometeorology can tell you! Depending on the country, up to 70% of the yield can be lost due to poor weather! Milk production and rainfall Milk production and rainfall in Niger, Mali and Chad in Niger, Mali and Chad Weather impact can be quantified with the use of Climate maps Climate data Computer tools Agrometeorology (SDRN)

62. Serves a global reference centre for knowledge and advice on biophysical, biological, socio-economic and social dimensions of sustainable development Improve weather forecasting techniques by linking local and global climate with hydrological processes Harmonized land cover classification and reporting - GLCN Support early warning systems at the national and regional levels for crop monitoring and food security analysis Linking land access to food security in relation with legal and institutional frameworks Detecting hot spots of rapid land-cover changes and/or natural disasters in order to better mitigate the impact of these changes Assessing long-term environmental and social costs triggered by agricultural development, deforestation, and urbanization guiding policy-making: sustainability and equity Land cover information in support of: Sustainable Development Department

63. GLCN Initiative The major identity of the GLCN Network is user-oriented, stressing operational applications The Major Objectives of the GLCN Network will be to support the processes of: – Harmonization/standardization of classification of cover types – Determination patterns of land-cover change – Projections of human response scenarios – Support to integrated global and regional modeling – Global assessment of land cover for conventions and treaties – Development of databases on land surface, biophysical processes and their drivers.

64. World Land Cover Scale 1:5- 2,000,000 - raster based IGBP 1991 Global Land Cover 2000- JRC at Scale 1:1,000,000 - raster based GLC 2000 Globcover 2005/6 Georeferenced Land Cover Initiatives - Africover/Asiacover - National Scale : 1:250,000-1:100,000 - vector based Member States Catchment Information System at Scale 1:50,000 - vector based Regions Local Soil Information System at Scale 1:20,000 - vector based Local Global assessments Spatial planning Local Planning LCCS 2 harmonisation/translation Applications using LCCS: e.g GLC 2000, Global map Africover, Asia cover, S. C America, ME, SADC, Sahel many national Iraq, Afghan, GOFC/GOLD test bed GLCN

65. Conclusion Identify common cross-cutting observations between IGOS themes. Avoid duplication with existing themes Be product orientated Link to social benefit areas of GEO Follow recommendations of MEA Meet Requirements of the Conventions

67. Roles and Responsibilities Thematic Applications For a one date data set 2005 land systems that include both geomorphologic units 9 using DTM’s and land cover associations LCCS land cover classes with special emphasis on: More emphasis on Intensive agricultural areas (size, density, distribution of fields) presence of irrigation, evidence of mechanization, periodicity of cultivation -longevity Break down of woodland classes, Afforestation plots, coastal zone, mangrove, low veg. cover- grassland classes, burned area, Water bodies ( temporary and permanent), Wet and dry season version Urban classes - expanded for villages inhabited area ( rural occupation density) For Multi-temporal Series: Land cover changes - 5 yrs. in areas of high human pressure (e.g. likely to be under degradation in many dev. dry land countries) showing: areas under agriculture expansion area sunder reduction of woody and /or d-grass cover Yearly classification with pre-identification of areas of change Data required by UN programmes, Environmental Conventions and RAMSAR