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

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, Gaspard Rwanyiziri, Thaulin Dushimiyimana, Alain Ndoli, Valens Uwizeyimana, Jens-Peter Barnekow Lillesø, Fabian Gieseke, Compton J. Tucker, Sassan Saatchi and Rasmus Fensholt
Additional contact information
Maurice Mugabowindekwe: University of Copenhagen
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
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
Gaspard Rwanyiziri: 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
Jens-Peter Barnekow Lillesø: University of Copenhagen
Fabian Gieseke: University of Copenhagen
Compton J. Tucker: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Sassan Saatchi: California Institute of Technology
Rasmus Fensholt: University of Copenhagen

Nature Climate Change, 2023, vol. 13, issue 1, 91-97

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1038/s41558-022-01544-w

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