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People & Projects People & Projects
CANOPY MAGAZINE FALL 2012
Our
Science & Scientists
in Brief
REDD in Brazil & Indonesia DR. WAYNE WALKER DR. ALESSANDRO BACCINI DR. I. FOSTER BROWN
A program of research and technical training is being undertaken in collaboration with the governments of Indonesia and the State of Acre, Brazil, that focuses on advancing their respective efforts to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). These two governments in particular are recognized leaders in on-the-ground implementation of REDD. With support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, WHRC scientists are working with these governments to develop operational systems for mapping and monitoring their forest resources while helping to advance strategies for low emissions development.
Dr. Richard “Skee” Houghton elected a Fellow of AGU The American Geophysical Union, a 50,000-member professional association of earth and space scientists, has recently named our very own Richard Houghton as a Fellow. The following is AGU’s description of how selections are made: “To be elected a Fellow of AGU is a special tribute for those who have made exceptional scientific contributions. Nominated Fellows must have attained acknowledged eminence in the Earth and space sciences. Primary criteria for evaluation in scientific eminence are major breakthrough/discovery and paradigm shift. This designation is conferred upon not more than 0.1% of all AGU members in any given year. New Fellows are chosen by a Committee of Fellows.” An award ceremony will be held at the Fall 2012 AGU annual meeting in San Francisco, where Dr. Houghton will receive the honor.
ABoVE DR. SCOTT GOETZ
The Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment, which WHRC Deputy Director and Senior Scientist Scott Goetz has been involved in crafting, will take place over the next decade, with a focus on the high latitude ecosystems (boreal forest and tundra) of North America. Led by NASA’s Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems program, ABoVE will involve more than 100 scientists and at least as many research associates and students from a wide range of institutions. ABoVE research will focus on integrating
field, aircraft and satellite measurements of change and its implications for the future climate and ecosystems of the region, as well as its global significance.
MREDD+ DR. JOSEF KELLNDORFER
MREDD+ refers to a REDD+ project unfolding in Mexico comprised of a fiveyear, USAID-supported initiative aimed at setting solid climate change mitigation policies and strengthening those already in place. The timing is critical. Mexico has just signed a climate bill into legislation— an action that could serve as a model for the US and other countries to learn from. If MREDD+ is to be successful, it will need to evolve into a manageable and verifiable process that relies on a system of accurate measurement, reporting, and verification, or MRV. Essentially, MRV is the process of orchestrating and documenting this large scale, public-private, multinational conservation program. WHRC is responsible for producing map data sets and other products that will support the Mexican government’s efforts to measure, report, and verify carbon stocks, develop safeguards for biodiversity conservation, and assess social impacts.