Suitability of Global Forest Change data to report forest cover estimates at national level in Gabon

摘要: Abstract For purposes of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) accounting, estimation deforestation area in tropical countries often relies on satellite remote sensing the absence National Forest Inventories (NFI). Gabon has recently launched a Climate Action Plan with intent establishing Monitoring System that meets Intergovernmental Panel Change (IPCC) 2006 guidelines for Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector. The assessment areas forest cover change is essential to estimate activity data, defined as various categories land use by IPCC guidelines. An appropriately designed probability sample can be used net their associated uncertainties express them form confidence intervals at selected thresholds required reporting United Nations Framework Convention (UNFCCC). However, wall-to-wall mapping provide comprehensive resources input plans management purposes, but approaches are more expensive than based approach visual interpretation require specialized equipment staff. recent release University Maryland (UMD) Global (GFC) map products could an alternative wishing develop own without do so. Therefore, aim this study assess feasibility replacing national maps obtained from UMD GFC initiative. A model assisted regression (MAR) estimator was applied using combination reference data either (i) produced nationally or (ii) data. resulting potentially accurate SRS precision which not available accuracy indices alone. Results 2000 2010 both datasets confirm high level Gabon, 23.5 million ha representing approximately 88.5% country. Although dataset provides reliable means producing statistics combined appropriate thus offering classification errors have non-negligible effects supports general statement should alone produce estimates, specific calibration tree percentage effort requiring staff equipment. Guidelines how further improve suggested. additional would still most likely less production maps.