A Sourcebook of Methods and Procedures for Monitoring Essential Biodiversity Variables in Tropical Forests with Remote Sensing

Standardised and harmonised biodiversity data and monitoring methods are required in order to assess how tropical forest biodiversity is evolving at the global scale, and what the drivers of change are. Collaborative efforts towards the development of such harmonised monitoring methods are carried out by national and regional forest agencies, the scientific and research community, and NGOs. These standardisation efforts are supported by the Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) concept that is currently developed by GEO-BON, and by Space Agencies and the Earth Observation research community at large. This sourcebook is developed by a wide group of forest researchers and practitioners, to promote the best operational monitoring practices based on scientific literature, and consensus. Since there is a continuous evolution of national and international policy frameworks, of the available datasets, and of the monitoring methods, the Sourcebook for biodiversity monitoring in tropical forests with remote sensing is intended to be a living document that will be updated on a regular basis. The focus, however, on the EBV concept, allows for harmonized approaches to monitoring tropical forests that can be independent of the current policy demands. The intention is to share best approaches and find ways to harmonise the existing forest cover and habitat classification systems, and the methods that are used to interpret and process Earth Observation data without being overly prescriptive. The Sourcebook presents also how remote sensing data can be used jointly with in-situ data and knowledge.JRC.D.6-Knowledge for Sustainable Development and Food Securit