GFOI ℅ GEO Secretariat 7 bis, Av de la Paix Case postale 2300 CH-1211 GENEVA-2 SWITZERLAND 24th June 2013
Dear Colleague I would like to invite you to review the draft “Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI) – Review of Priority Research & Development Topics”. The Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI) (www.gfoi.org): o
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was set up by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), to foster the sustained availability and use of satellite and ground observations in support of national efforts to better manage forest resources and monitoring changes in carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions and removals; has the active support and involvement of 13 space agencies who have agreed to acquire satellite data needed for routine forest monitoring; has been explicitly endorsed by 90 countries through GEO and has the active involvement of key organisations including FAO, the Wold Bank and the UNFCCC; works with the active participation of developing countries and their experts in remote sensing, forest monitoring and greenhouse gas estimation and reporting.
Beyond ensuring the availability of remote sensing data, GFOI also aims to support its use through advice and capacity development on using earth observation data and measuring greenhouse gas fluxes in compliance with the IPCC and UNFCCC guidelines. (see www.gfoi.org). However, it is not yet possible for GFOI to provide universal advice that would enable all countries to implement national forest monitoring systems. There are still areas where the use of earth observation data is being developed. Therefore, this GFOI R&D Review identifies the key R&D priority topics that need to be undertaken in order for all countries to be able to implement sustainable national forest monitoring systems in a sustainable, affordable way. GFOI is aiming to approve and publish this report before the end of 2013. Following publication, GFOI aims to discuss with potential partners on how these R&D gaps can be addressed to ensure that all countries can implement sustainable, credible and reliable national forest monitoring systems. You have been identified as a potential reviewer either because of your involvement in GFOI (or its predecessor GEO-FCT) or GOFC-GOLD or because the leadership of the GFOI R&D component has identified you as an expert with relevant experience and knowledge. If you can review this document please reply by 15 August 2013 using the spreadsheet provided (GFOIComments.xls) by email to
[email protected]. Comments will be considered anonymously, but reviewers will be credited in the final document. If you have any questions or problems please contact the GFOI office:
[email protected]. Attached is a copy of the draft document. If time is limited please concentrate on the main document (GFOI_RandD_Review_DRAFT_main.pdf) rather than the annexes (GFOI_RandD_Review_DRAFT_annex_small.pdf). A version of the annexes with higher
Draft GFOI ToRs 24/06/2013 09:37
resolution images is available (4 MB, GFOI_RandD_Review_DRAFT_annex_large.pdf) for download from: https://www.dropbox.com/s/cax32fcfm22vx8h/GFOI_RandD_Review_DRAFT_annex_large.pdf
Please enter your comments in the spreadsheet as this will ensure we can track all the comments and make sure they are all considered by the authors. Instructions on the use of the spreadsheet are contained in the first sheet of the spreadsheet. All the documents for the review, including the spreadsheet can be downloaded via the following links: The main document: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xkma39n1065o86v/GFOI_RandD_Review_DRAFT_main.pdf
The annex (high-res): https://www.dropbox.com/s/cax32fcfm22vx8h/GFOI_RandD_Review_DRAFT_annex_large.pdf
The annex (low-res) https://www.dropbox.com/s/bf4un2qj2li9onm/GFOI_RandD_Review_DRAFT_annex_small.pdf
The spreadsheet to send comments: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5stlvz0igzwh2ou/GFOIComments.xls
I would like to thank you for your consideration and cooperation,
Dr Simon Eggleston GFOI Office Coordinator
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