Satellites can bring new transparency to how forests are being managed. With the increasing production of pulp, paper and timber products, there is concern over the effect that expanding plantations and logging in natural forests have on biodiversity and climate change.
Satellites can bring new transparency to how forests are being managed. With the increasing production of pulp, paper and timber products, there is concern over the effect that expanding plantations and logging in natural forests have on biodiversity and climate change.
At the recent general assembly of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, an ESA project team joined some 400 stakeholders to discuss how Earth observation services can be integrated into the FSC certification scheme for responsible forestry.
FSC is an international association of forest owners, timber industries, social groups and environmental organisations that promotes responsible forest management. Only products that adhere to its strict environmental and social criteria are certified to carry the widely used FSC label.