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BookletTechnical studyA global methodology for the assessment of direct drivers associated with deforestation and degradation
Using Open Foris solutions for informed decisions
2025Also available in:
No results found.Despite international efforts and progress towards reducing deforestation and degradation, population growth, demand for natural resources and human dependence on forest ecosystems contribute to forest loss, ultimately impacting global climate and sustainable development efforts. Many studies have proven that small-scale or subsistence agricultural activities are the most prevalent direct driver of forest loss, requiring specific solutions to achieve food security, maintain livelihoods and adapt to future climate changes. This study uses satellite imagery, analysed with open-source tools from the Open Foris package (most notably the System for Earth Observation Data Access, Processing and Analysis for Land Monitoring [SEPAL]) to identify deforestation, degradation and associated direct drivers in six Central African countries. Dense time series are used to process hundreds of satellite image observations over the 2015–2020 period to automatically observe forest disturbances, which were then validated and associated with specific direct drivers through visual interpretation of high-resolution imagery. -
Book (stand-alone)High-profileTrees, forests and land use in drylands: the first global assessment
Full report
2019Also available in:
No results found.Drylands cover 41 percent of the Earth's land surface. This publication presents the results of the first global assessment of trees, forests and land use in these lands. The assessment breaks new methodological ground: it relies on the visual interpreation of freely available satellite images, carried out by more than 200 experts in a series of regional workshops. Using a tool called Open Foris ollect Earth, developed by FAO in collaboration with Google, participants gathered and analysed information for mrore than 200 000 sample plots worldwide. For each region, the report summarizes the distribution of forests, other wooded land and other land uses including grasslands, croplands, built-up areas and barren land, across all drylands and by aridity zone. It also estimates tree canopy cover, shrub cover, forest type and presence of trees outside forest. Indicatng that the global drylands contain more than one-quarter of the world's forest area, and that trees are present on 31 percent of the world's dryland area, the report provides a baseline for future monitoring and will support countries in their efforts to identify appropriate investments for the restoration and sustainable management of drylands. -
Book (stand-alone)Technical bookRapid geospatial assessment after the earthquake in Syrian Arab Republic in 2023
Impacts on infrastructure and farming community during the period February–March 2023
2023Also available in:
No results found.In February 2023, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck northern and western Syria, wreaking havoc on infrastructure, agriculture, and communities. A swift geospatial impact assessment was performed in the hardest-hit region, utilizing satellite imagery, remote sensing, and diverse data sources. By employing the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) and a hexagonal grid system for enhanced analysis, the study meticulously evaluated the earthquake's effects on people, infrastructure, and cropland. The assessment revealed that approximately 942,262 individuals, constituting 7% of the population, were likely impacted by the disaster. Particularly affected were districts like Elbistan, Battalgazi, Yesilyurt, Pozanti, and Golbasi. The research identified 110 km² of damaged built-up areas, with Jebel Saman, Al Ma'ra, Menbij, Al Bab, and A'zaz among the most affected districts. Moreover, irrigated cropland in districts such as Afrin, Ain Al Arab, A’zaz, As-Salamiyeh, and Al Ma’ra suffered considerable exposure. Notably, the study highlighted the dire effects on irrigation infrastructures, particularly wells in districts like Tartous, Lattakia, and As-Salamiyeh, waterways in As-Suqaylabiyah and Jisr-Ash-Shugur, and dams in Bahlolieh, Mzair'a, and Safita. The assessment’s findings underscore the need for field data collection, agronomic advice, and robust response planning. Looking ahead, enhancing spatial information for assessing natural resources, irrigation infrastructure, and agriculture, through methods like high-resolution satellite imagery and accuracy assessment, could yield significant benefits. The assessment's results also emphasize the importance of establishing a national geospatial database and monitoring platform for irrigated land, thereby fostering more effective disaster preparedness and response strategies.
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BookletCorporate general interestFAOSTYLE: English 2024The objective of having a house style is to ensure clarity and consistency across all FAO publications. Now available in HTML, this updated edition of FAOSTYLE: English covers matters such as punctuation, units, spelling and references. All FAO staff, consultants and contractors involved in writing, reviewing, editing, translating or proofreading FAO texts and information products in English should use FAOSTYLE, together with the practical guidance on processes and layout questions provided in Publishing at FAO – strategy and guidance.
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