ALISON THIEME

Estimating Carbon Sequestration within Global Environment Facility Funded

Protected Areas in Kenya to Aid Future Policy

​

Advisor:

Dr. Compton J. Tucker, NASA GSFC

​

Project Team:

Madeline Ruid (Project Lead), madeline.ruid@gmail.com

Erin Glennie

Perry Oddo

Alison Thieme

​

Abstract:

Global deforestation continues to pose a major environmental problem that threatens biodiversity and increases the number of species facing extinction. In Kenya and worldwide, agriculture is the main driver of forest conversion. Each year, Kenya loses 12,000 hectares (ha) of forest out of its total 4.34 million ha. In order to increase forest cover and protect biodiversity, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded projects to establish 12 protected areas (PAs) within Kenya from 1995-2008. Currently, GEF utilizes a global dataset to track only change in forest cover in the PAs. Creating maps of past and forecasted above-ground carbon estimates will enable GEF to gain a better understanding of how the PAs are both conserving biodiversity and addressing climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. Using Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+, and Landsat 8 OLI imagery from 1995-2016, land cover in each PA was classified to map past changes in forest cover and above-ground carbon stock. Additionally, these maps were processed with ancillary datasets in TerrSet Land Change Modeler to forecast above-ground carbon stocks for 2020 and 2030, given current deforestation rates. Final maps of past and forecasted above-ground carbon estimates will aid GEF in future policy and program decisions.

​

Acknowledgements: 

Dr. John Bolton, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Dr. Anupam Anand & Dr. Geeta Batra, Global Environment Facility

Sean McCartney, NASA DEVELOP

Heather Mitchell, DEVELOP Volunteer

 

This material is based upon work supported by NASA through contract NNL11AA00B and cooperative agreement NNX14AB60A. Any mention of a commercial product, service, or activity in this material does not constitute NASA endorsement. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and partner organizations.