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Nation-wide mapping of tree-level aboveground carbon stocks in Rwanda

Author

Listed:
  • Maurice Mugabowindekwe

    (University of Copenhagen
    University of Rwanda)

  • Martin Brandt

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Jérôme Chave

    (Université Paul Sabatier)

  • Florian Reiner

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • David L. Skole

    (Michigan State University)

  • Ankit Kariryaa

    (University of Copenhagen
    University of Copenhagen)

  • Christian Igel

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Pierre Hiernaux

    (Pastoralisme Conseil)

  • Philippe Ciais

    (Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, CEA/CNRS/UVSQ/Université Paris Saclay)

  • Ole Mertz

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Xiaoye Tong

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Sizhuo Li

    (University of Copenhagen
    Université Paris Saclay)

  • Gaspard Rwanyiziri

    (University of Rwanda
    University of Rwanda)

  • Thaulin Dushimiyimana

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Alain Ndoli

    (International Union for Conservation of Nature—Eastern and Southern Africa Region)

  • Valens Uwizeyimana

    (General Directorate of Land, Water, and Forestry, Ministry of Environment
    KU Leuven)

  • Jens-Peter Barnekow Lillesø

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Fabian Gieseke

    (University of Copenhagen
    University of Münster)

  • Compton J. Tucker

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

  • Sassan Saatchi

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • Rasmus Fensholt

    (University of Copenhagen)

Abstract

Trees sustain livelihoods and mitigate climate change but a predominance of trees outside forests and limited resources make it difficult for many tropical countries to conduct automated nation-wide inventories. Here, we propose an approach to map the carbon stock of each individual overstory tree at the national scale of Rwanda using aerial imagery from 2008 and deep learning. We show that 72% of the mapped trees are located in farmlands and savannas and 17% in plantations, accounting for 48.6% of the national aboveground carbon stocks. Natural forests cover 11% of the total tree count and 51.4% of the national carbon stocks, with an overall carbon stock uncertainty of 16.9%. The mapping of all trees allows partitioning to any landscapes classification and is urgently needed for effective planning and monitoring of restoration activities as well as for optimization of carbon sequestration, biodiversity and economic benefits of trees.

Suggested Citation

  • Maurice Mugabowindekwe & Martin Brandt & Jérôme Chave & Florian Reiner & David L. Skole & Ankit Kariryaa & Christian Igel & Pierre Hiernaux & Philippe Ciais & Ole Mertz & Xiaoye Tong & Sizhuo Li & Gas, 2023. "Nation-wide mapping of tree-level aboveground carbon stocks in Rwanda," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 91-97, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:13:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41558-022-01544-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-022-01544-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Brandt & Dimitri Gominski & Florian Reiner & Ankit Kariryaa & Venkanna Babu Guthula & Philippe Ciais & Xiaoye Tong & Wenmin Zhang & Dhanapal Govindarajulu & Daniel Ortiz-Gonzalo & Rasmus Fensho, 2024. "Severe decline in large farmland trees in India over the past decade," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(7), pages 860-868, July.
    2. Grabher, Harald F. & Erb, Karlheinz & Singh, Simron & Haberl, Helmut, 2024. "Household energy systems based on biomass: Tracing material flows from source to service in rural Ethiopia," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).

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