Pitch
#LandUse #ARS #VegetationCoverage #GHGEmissionReductions #TraverseApp More vegetation coverage means less Green House Gas (GHG) emissions
Description
Summary
Land use is an important discipline that when implemented properly can preserve the environment as well as the ability of actors to use that environment for sustainability. It is imperative that the proper use of land for human needs such as agriculture, livestock, and forestry be maintained adequately so that land can be used for future generations and that environmental degradation is minimized. The effect of Green House Gas emissions can be minimized if land use is properly maintained by the proper actors. Too much degradation can result in an increase of Green House Gas emissions. Monitoring the vegetation in a region periodically would assist actors in how much land degradation is occurring and to mitigate its effects accordingly.
What actions do you propose?
The Traverse Mobile App will support the remote collection of Traverse Data for storing attributes recorded by actors of observations made about vegetation in local regions. The Traverse process has been well established, especially the Domin-Krajina method [Dieter Mueller Dombois, Heinz Ellenberg]. The mobile app will implement GIS mapping capabilities and interactive features to collaborate with the actors to record and store the Traverse data. The app would provide the capability to record in remote locations by caching GIS maps beforehand. Actors would then record attributes using the Domin-Krajina method to identify vegetation coverage and be analysis coverage loss.
Who will take these actions?
The key actors would be individuals including members of private businesses, governments, research facilities, and engaged local participants who want to make a positive impact on their environment.
Where will these actions be taken?
The actions will take place throughout the world, but would be largely relevant in rural areas or areas with large spans of vegetation. They key aspect in this proposal is that a mobile app on iOS© and Android© platforms would provide actors with the means to observe land use data in a manner that is productive and easy to use.
How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?
Vegetation can absorb between 10% to 20% of CO2 in the atmosphere inherently, based upon the type of vegetation [University of Leeds, Brownwyn Chester, et. al]. The mobile Traverse App uses the Domin-Krajin method [Dieter Mueller Dombois, Heinz Ellenberg]of observing vegetation in a local region. By recording the attributes in Traverse App the actors would be able to accurately measure vegetation loss over time and be able to mitigate the loss of vegetation and increase the carbon sink potential of the local land region.
What are other key benefits?
Other key benefits are that actors in local regions would be able to monitor the potential degradation and loss of agricultural plots or forests and be able to understand when, where, and why these effects are taking place. This would provide actors with the knowledge necessary to improve conditions that cause vegetation erosion and implement strategies for sustaining land use for short term and long term goals.
What are the proposal’s costs?
Travel costs to and from a site for data collection are the proposal's costs, and are determined on a case by case basis. Costs for reversing vegetation degradation would to be tied to the applicable remediation processes.
Time line
The Traverse Data Collection process is designed to record the attributes of long lived perennials. Hence, the proposed actions will be phased in over the span of 1-2 years.
Related proposals
Funding Farmers for Climate Change Mitigation (F2C2M) <https://www.climatecolab.org/web/guest/plans/-/plans/contestId/1300205/planId/4201>
High tech farm software for third world farms. <https://www.climatecolab.org/web/guest/plans/-/plans/contestId/1300205/planId/3805>
References
"Opportunities for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Tropical Peatlands." Opportunities for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Tropical Peatlands. D. Murdiyarso, K. Hergoualc’h, and L. V. Verchot. 2009. Web. 20 July 2014. <http://www.pnas.org/content/107/46/19655.full.pdf+html>.
“Land Use Changes and Their Impacts on the Vegetation Kromme River Peat Basin, South Africa.” Land Use Changes and Their Impacts on the Vegetation Kromme River Peat Basin, South Africa. C. A. Nsor and J. Gambiza. 2013. Web. 20 July 2014. <http://www.sjpub.org/sjeer/sjeer-166.pdf>.
“Ecosystems and Human Well-being: A Framework for Assessment.” Ecosystems and Human Well-being: A Framework for Assessment. Alcamo J. and Bennett EM. 2003.Web. 20 July 2014. <http://www.unep.org/maweb/documents/document.48.aspx.pdf>.
“One-fifth Of Fossil-fuel Emissions Absorbed By Threatened Forests.” One-fifth Of Fossil-fuel Emissions Absorbed By Threatened Forests. University of Leeds. 2009. Web. 20 July 2014. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090218135031.htm>
“The case of the missing sink.” The case of the missing sink. Bronwyn Chester. 2000. Web. 20 July 2014.
“Does Harvesting in Canada’s Forests Contribute to Climate Change.” Does Harvesting in Canada’s Forests Contribute to Climate Change. Natural Resources Canada. 2007. Web. 20 July 2014.
“Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology.” Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology. Dieter Mueller Dombois, Heinz Ellenberg. John Wiley & Sons, 1974.
By:
ARS
