Determination Of The World S Humid Tropical Deforestation Rates During The 1990 S

In spite of the importance of the world's humid tropical forests our knowledge concerning their rates of change remains limited (IPCC, 2000). The second phase of a research programme (TREES-II) exploiting the global imaging capabilities of Earth observing satellites has just been completed to provide the latest information on the status of these forests. The results of the TREES II programme show that in 1990 (the Kyoto Protocol baseline year) there were some 1,150 ±54 million hectares of humid tropical forest. Furthermore the 1990-97 period showed a marked reduction of dense and open natural forests: the annual deforestation rate for the humid tropics is estimated at 5.8 ±1.4 million hectares with a further 2.3 ±0.7 million hectares of forest degradation visible from satellite imagery. Large non-forest areas were also re-occupied by forests. But this consists mainly of young re-growth on abandoned land and partly of new plantations, both of which are very different from natural forests in ecological, biophysical and economic terms, and therefore not appropriate in counterbalancing the loss of old growth forests. These new figures are the most consistent currently available. They show that Southeast Asia is the continent where forests are under the highest threat (0.91% annual deforestation rate). The annual area deforested in Latin America is similarly large, but the rate (0.37%) is lower, due to the vast Amazonian forest. The humid forests of Africa are being depleted at a similar rate to that of Latin America. At the global level, these figures indicate a 23% lower net forest cover change rate for the tropical humid forests than was generally accepted until now. This has major repercussions on the calculation of carbon fluxes in the global budget resulting in a terrestrial sink smaller than previously inferred.

Colorful bracelets, funky brooches, and beautiful handmade beads: young crafters learn to make all these and much more with this fantastic step-by-step guide. In 12 exciting projects with simple steps and detailed instructions, budding fashionistas create their own stylish accessories to give as gifts or add a touch of personal flair to any ensemble. Following the successful "Art Smart" series, "Craft Smart" presents a fresh, fun approach to four creative skills: knitting, jewelry-making, papercrafting, and crafting with recycled objects. Each book contains 12 original projects to make, using a range of readily available materials. There are projects for boys and girls, carefully chosen to appeal to readers of all abilities. A special "techniques and materials" section encourages young crafters to try out their own ideas while learning valuable practical skills.

The global climate change problem has finally entered the world's consciousness. While efforts to find a solution have increased momentum, international attention has focused primarily on the industrial and energy sectors. The forest, and land-use sector, however, remains one of the most significant untapped opportunities for carbon mitigation. The expiration of the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period in 2012 presents an opportunity for the international community to put this sector back on the agenda. In this timely, wide-ranging volume, an international team of experts explain the links between climate change and forests, highlighting the potential utility of this sector within emerging climate policy frameworks and carbon markets. After framing forestry activities within the larger context of climate-change policy, the contributors analyze the operation and efficacy of market-based mechanisms for forest conservation and climate change. Drawing on experiences from around the world, the authors present concrete recommendations for policymakers, project developers, and market participants. They discuss sequestration rights in Chile, carbon offset programs in Australia and New Zealand, and emerging policy incentives at all levels of the U.S. government. The book also explores the different voluntary schemes for carbon crediting, provides an overview of best practices in carbon accounting, and presents tools for use in future sequestration and offset programs. It concludes with consideration of various incentive options for slowing deforestation and protecting the world's remaining forests. Climate Change and Forests provides a realistic view of the role that the forest and land-use sector can play in a post-Kyoto regime. It will serve as a practical reference manual for anyone concerned about climate policy, including the negotiators working to define a robust and enduring international framework for addressing climate change.

This volume contains 117 reviewed papers from over 30 countries, published in English, French and Spanish, which reflect both international dimension of FRIEND and the key challenges facing hydrologists in the 21st century.

A volume in the three-volume Remote Sensing Handbook series, Remote Sensing of Water Resources, Disasters, and Urban Studies documents the scientific and methodological advances that have taken place during the last 50 years. The other two volumes in the series are Remotely Sensed Data Characterization, Classification, and Accuracies, and Land Reso

Forests, Water and People in the Humid Tropics is a comprehensive review of the hydrological and physiological functioning of tropical rain forests, the environmental impacts of their disturbance and conversion to other land uses, and optimum strategies for managing them. The book brings together leading specialists in such diverse fields as tropical anthropology and human geography, environmental economics, climatology and meteorology, hydrology, geomorphology, plant and aquatic ecology, forestry and conservation agronomy. The editors have supplemented the individual contributions with invaluable overviews of the main sections and provide key pointers for future research. Specialists will find authenticated detail in chapters written by experts on a whole range of people-water-land use issues, managers and practitioners will learn more about the implications of ongoing and planned forest conversion, while scientists and students will appreciate a unique review of the literature.