In the framework of the participation of the FSU’s Department of Earth observation in the Kyoto & Carbon initiative – an international science collaboration led by JAXA – the ZAPÁS project was introduced to the community at the 17th K&C science meeting on March 27-29, 2012 in Tokyo. The ALOS Kyoto & Carbon Initiative is an international collaborative project forming the continuation and extension of the JERS-1 SAR GRFM/GBFM project into the era of ALOS and ALOS-2. The ZAPÁS activities will foster the development of methodology guidelines for forest and biomass mapping by SAR.
K&C aims to support information needs posed by the “3 C’s”:
- The terrestrial Carbon cycle science community (CO2 & CH4 sources and sinks)
- Multinational Environmental Conventions (such as UNFCCC Kyoto Protocol, REDD+, and the Ramsar Convention on the protection and wise use of wetlands)
- Environmental Conservation
Focus areas of phase 3 of the K&C project (2011 – 2014) are:
- JAXA EORC global forest/non-forest map (validation and improvement)
- Development of methodology guidelines for forest/wetlands mapping by SAR
- K&C Global Mangrove Watch – global mangrove change mapping
- Ramsar Wetlands Convention
Group foto of the 17th K&C science meeting participants, March 27-29, 2012, Tokyo