Prof. Lilito Gavina, Director for Planning and MS Agroforestry Program Head and Project Leader of PCAARD funded project on Enhancing Rocapor’s Farm for SciCAT Farm Tourism Development in La Union,collaborated with four researchers from Institutes and Universities   based in Japan, one from Mexico, and another in the Philippines to investigate on forests in the South Asean Region.

Prof. Gavina co-authored the research titled, “Remotely sensed tree canopy cover-based indicators for monitoring global sustainability and environmental initiatives” published in Enrvironmental Research Letter, Vol. 16, 2021.

Their study tried to address the intensifying challenges of global environmental challenge, sustainability, and bio diversity conservation in the monitoring of the world’s remaining forests.

In their study, they examined the potential of using remotely sensed tree canopy cover (TCC) data sets, which are continuous data products, to complement F/NF maps for forest cover monitoring . They developed a conceptual analytical framework for forest cover monitoring using both types of data products and applied it to the forests of Southeast Asia.

They conclude that TCC data sets and the statistics derived from them can be used to complement the information provided by categorical F/NF maps. TCC-based indicators (i.e. losses, gains, and net changes) can help in monitoring not only deforestation but also forest degradation and forest cover enhancement, all of which are highly relevant to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other global forest cover monitoring-related initiatives. (Ayu)