CommunityCarbonAccountingAction

ResearchProject–LaosActivityReportFY2012

 

Saykham Boutthavong, Doungta Bouaphavong, and Hyakumura Kimihiko 

 

 

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This report is made available to share information on the Community Carbon Accounting Action Research Project launched by IGES in May 2010.

Copyright © 2013 by Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and the National University of Laos.

All rights reserved. Inquiries regarding copyright should be addressed to the copyright holders in writing.

No parts of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior permission in writing from the copyright holders.

Funding for the action research was provided by the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research, and the Ministry of Environment of Japan.

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(1) Introduction The Faculty of Forestry (FoF), National University of Laos (NUoL) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) are jointly implementing the Community Carbon Accounting Action Research Project (CCA) in Sangthong District, Vientiane, Laos with financial support from the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), and Japan Ministry of the Environment. This action research project aims to explore approaches to involve local communities in forest carbon accounting. Another objective of this project is to enhance the capacity of NUoL researchers on forest biomass measurement and monitoring. The CCA project was launched in 2011 in four villages: Ban. Napor, Ban. Kouay, Ban. Xor, and Ban. Nongbua, in Sangthong District. The site is near the Training Model Forest (TMF) of the Faculty of Forestry, which is located along the Mekong plain about 80 km northwest of Vientiane (Figure 1). The site is characterized by mainly hilly topography with altitudes varying between 200 and 400 meters above sea level, and a typical monsoon climate with a distinct rainy and dry season. The major land use systems in the area are unstocked forestland, forests and various agricultural land uses such as rice paddy, pasture, upland cultivation and agroforestry. Mixed Deciduous Forest is the dominant forest type, and now is characterized by the rampant occurrence of bamboo in the understorey and a low abundance of high-value commercial tree species, such as Afzelia sp., Dalbergia sp. and Pterocarpus sp. Flora and fauna are diverse, especially in the less degraded areas. The total land area of the villages is about 8,281 ha, and the total area of community forest is 1,887 ha. The total land area of B. Napo is 2,590 ha, of which about 44 ha is community forestland. In B. Kouay, the total land area is 6,035 ha, and the community forest area covers around 138 ha. B. Xor is only village that still has forest in good condition. The community forests are managed by the communities together with the local authorities. In 2012, Ban Nongbua was replaced by Ban. Vangma as a target village. In 2011, the project activity focused on capacity building of the research team, the local authority and community. A training workshop was conducted on forest carbon for NUoL researchers at the Faculty of Forestry. A social-economic baseline survey was designed and information was collected on social-economic features of the research site, perceptions of the community towards climate change and its impacts on their livelihoods, and forest resources management in the target communities. The NUoL research team conducted consultation meetings with the district and villages authority, and determined the potential target community forest for the sampling. The NUoL research team carried out a training workshop for the district staffs and the community members on various topic such as the cause of deforestation and forest degradation in Laos; the concept of REDD; the current REDD+ Program status in Laos; forest inventory techniques; understanding the forest and land use cover types from satellite images and maps; sample plot layout designing; and tree measurement techniques.

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Figure 1: Location map of the project area (2) Activities in FY2012 In 2012, CCA activities conducted in Laos included: finalizing the social-economic baseline dataset of the target community; developing training materials and the field guide for the local community; conducting awareness and training for the community; conducting a consultation and establishing the community forest biomass inventory team; enhancing the GIS capacity of the research team; conducting a ground survey; supporting the community team to establish sample plots and conduct measurement; and field survey data management and analysis. Table 1 sets out the schedule of the research activities. Table 1: Main CCA activities conducted in FY2012 Time Activities Remark April ‐ Finalized baseline survey (social-economic) dataset Completed April-May ‐ Reviewed forest biomass inventory manuals

‐ Develop training materials ‐ Preparing for the community member training program

Completed

May-June ‐ Training workshop for the community member Completed July-September

‐ Review surveying methodology and update data entry sheets

‐ Develop and update the field guide for the research team and community (Forest biomass field guide and GPS user guide in Lao Language)

Completed

October ‐ GIS training workshop for NUoL research team Completed November ‐ Consultation meeting and established community

research teams Completed

December ‐ Forest boundary mapping, and ground survey Completed December ‐ Testing field guide Completed

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‐ Sample plots establishment, ‐ Sample plots survey and measuring by the community

January 2013 ‐ Data entry Completed January 2013 ‐ Data analysis and develop a technical report On going January 2013 ‐ Exchange and study tour to JICA-PAREDD Project in

LuangPrabang Province, Laos Completed

January-February 2013

‐ Reporting Completed

1) Results of social-economic baseline survey The social and economic baseline survey began in 2011. The purposed of the survey is to understand local community and local authority perceptions on climate change and its impacts, land and forest resources management by the local people, as well their interest in community forest biomass monitoring. Household data and information of the survey was entered in a dataset format. The village populations and number of respondents is provided in Table 2. Table 2: Number of sample household in 3 villages

Village Total number of household

Total population and (female)

Number of respondents household

Percentage of total households

Napo 80 485 (240) 20 25% Kouay 141 616 (296) 52 37% Sor 402 1909 (984) 118 29% Nongbua 78 358 (165) - - Data: from field survey in 2011 Remark: Information for B. Vangma was not included, as the research team has replace B. Vangma with B. Nongbua.

Figure 2 shows that only 5% of the total households know general information about climate change and can provide some explanation of it, while about 30% know a little about climate change. Figure 3 reveals the perception on climate change of the community in the project area, where over 60% of the total households think that climate change has no impact on their lives. However, local people sense that there is change in their environment and that this has gradually impacted their livelihoods.

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

B. Kouay B. Napo B. Xor Total

40.40%

65.00%75.40%

64.70%

48.10%

25.00% 22.90%30.00%

11.50% 10.00%1.70% 5.30%

Dont Know Know a little Know general with some explain

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Figure 2: Level of understanding on the climate change

Figure 3: Perception on the climate change impact Figure 4 shows that the villagers in the target community have a strong relationship with their forest, especially in relation to harvesting bamboo and other non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for subsistence and also for selling at the local market. Figure 5 reveals that about one third of the sampled household had experience in tree measurement. The villages are located near the Training Model Forest and they have ahad the opportunity to contribute to forest survey work with NUoL teachers and students.

Figure 4: Frequency of villagers visit to the forest

65.80% 69.50% 66.80% 62.60% 66.30% 66.30%

34.2% 30.50% 33.20% 37.40% 33.70% 33.70%

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

Food NTFPs Agriculture Health Society Economic

No Yes

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

B. Kouay B. Napo B. Xor Total

9.60%

0.00%

9.30% 8.40%

32.70%

5.00%

22.00% 23.20%

13.50%

35.00%26.30% 23.70%

44.20%

60.00%

42.40% 44.70%

NA 1‐6 time per year 7‐12 time pers year More than 12 time

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Figure 5: Experience of the community in tree measurement 2) Training materials and field guide development The NUoL CCA team developed the training materials in PowerPoint format in local languages, and prepared tools and equipment that are necessary for the field training program and for forest inventory, including tree measurement. The tools include distance measurement tapes, compasses, SUNNTO clinometers, handheld GPS, satellite images, maps, etc. The field guide covers sample plot establishment and tree measurement (Figure 6). A guideline on GPS use was prepared in the local language. The technical steps outlined in the field guide were fully tested, adapted and used in the sample plot establishment and inventory. Figure 6: Field guide and GPS application booklet 3) Community team building To prepare for the field data collection and the involvement of the community in CCA activities, especially sample plot establishment, tree measurement and data recording, a consultation meeting between the NUoL research team with the village organization committees was held. The village organization committees nominated people from their villages to participate in the field activities. Each village formed a survey team of 10 people (all male). The village teams were trained by the NUoL researchers. The

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

Volumeestimate

Saw wood DBHMeasuring

HeightMeasuring

30.50%

57.90%

34.70% 35.30%

69.50%

42.10%

65.30% 64.70%

Yes No

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training began with theory, followed by practical exercises on establishing trial sample plots in the field. With guidance from the NUoL team, the community teams then established actual forest biomass inventory sample plots (Figure 7). The task and responsibilities of each member of the community teams were discussed and agreed in a session of the training program. Figure 7: Community forest biomass monitoring teams of the 4 villages 4) Awareness and training workshops (Figure 8) At the awareness and training workshops, the community team members were taught by NUoL resource persons on: ‐ Background of the CCA project, basic knowledge and concept of REDD, and

REDD+ status in Lao PDR; ‐ The techniques of forest biomass inventory, through a comprehensive step-by-step

training program covering both theory and practice; ‐ Use of the tools and equipment for tree measurement and data recording; ‐ Understanding maps, satellite images, and GPS applications and identifying

location on the maps and satellite images. ‐ Action planning for establishment of the sample plots and tree inventory. Figure 8: Activities in the training program 5) GPS Training and ground survey (Figure 9) Community team member were introduced to the basic use of GPS and its applications, such as marking waypoints and tracks and note taking into a form. Training was also provided on map sketching and on satellite image use. High resolution satellite images of each village were printed out on a large scale and were used to find out the different land use and natural boundaries. A survey of the forest

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boundary and ground-truthing was then conducted with the participants. Due to time constraints, the research team could not mark and survey all the village boundaries and delineate all the different types of forest. Figure 9: Introducing basic GPS use and forest boundary sketch map 6) Demarcation of forest strata and sample plots design (Figure 10) Prior to the forest measurement, the boundaries of forest strata were surveyed by the NUoL research team, together with the community, using the land cover map produced by the NUoL Research team. The sampling for tree measurement was based on the results of the forest strata mapping.

Figure 10: Forest strata survey and map of the project 7) GIS training and mapping An informal GIS training program was conducted at NUoL. The research team and young researchers from NUoL participated in the training program. Resource persons introduced basic use of Arc Map software. The information from the ground truthing and the forest strata survey, the location of potential sample plots, the location of the 16 sample plots to be established, and land use information of the project area was uploaded and merged into the existing database. From this the research team created a basic map of the project area. 8) Plots layout establishment and measurement

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In total, 16 permanent sample plots were established by the local community teams. Each team established 4 samples plots in their community forest area. The sample plots were randomly distributed according to different forest types, accessibility, and terrain. Rectangular 50x50m nested plots, with sub-plots of 20x20m, 10x10m, and 2x2m are used (Figure 11). Plastic poles are placed in the center of the plots and then their location marked with GPS. Every external and internal corners of the main and sub-plots were marked by bamboo and wooden pickets (Figure 12). Team members measured distance with meter tapes and then marked out all the internal and external boundary of sample plots by using string tapes. Within the 50x50m plots, trees with DBH ≥ 30 cm are measured; for 20x20m plots, trees with DBH ≥10 and < 30 cm are measured; for 20x20m plots, saplings (DBH≥ 5-9 cm) and bamboo are measured and NTFPs recorded; and for plot 2x2m plots, seedlings are counted. All measured trees are tagged using metal labels with tree code numbers inscribed on them.

Figure 11: Sampling design of rectangular plot Figure 12: Sample plot establishment by village team The local villagers were actively involved in the whole process of the sample plot establishment, tree measurement, and data recording. The community teams identified all tree species in the inventory plots using their local names and these were later translated into the scientific names by the NUoL research team. These could be the

50x50 m measuring tree DBH≥ 30 cm

20x20 m measuring tree DBH≥ 10-29 cm

10x10 m DBH≥ 5-9 cm, Bamboo and count NTFPs

2x2 m count seedling

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first community teams ever in Lao PDR to have been trained on and have carried out sample plot establishment, surveying, and data recording for forest biomass measurement. On average, it took around 3 hours to establish and measure the sample plots. 9) Preliminary above ground biomass estimation In the project area mixed deciduous forest is dominant. Of the 16 permanent sample plots established, 13 are located in primary mixed deciduous forest and 3 in secondary mixed deciduous forest. As this fiscal year was the first experience of the community with biomass sampling, we did not carried out measurement of all the above ground carbon pools. Our measurement focuses on above ground living woody biomass. All data recorded by the community from the field measurement was input into a structured sheet in Microsoft Excel. The data includes date, time, crew members, location of the plots, forest condition, species, tree height, DBH, etc. A total of 490 trees were measured and among these trees, 80 species were identified with their local names. Only 2 species were not identified. The major tree species found were Hopea ferrea, Ivingia sp, Sandoricum sp, Parashorea spp, litchi chinensis, Gratexylon pruniferium, Diospyros sp, and Walsura angulata Craib. The tree crown cover ranges between 45 to 90 %. The average height of trees with DBH≥ 30 cm is 28.17 m, for DBH≥10 and < 30 cm, 13.49 m, and for DBH≥ 5-9 cm, 6.13 m respectively (Table 3). The mean DBH in the different plot areas, from largest to smallest, was 51 cm, 16 cm, and 7 cm respectively. The bole volume, total stem volume and form factor volume were applied to estimate the volume of the trees. The equations of each type of volume calculation used are from Savannakhet Province. These are: Bole Volume V

bole = -0.0527 +0.00521D +0.467X

X = D2

BH/10000

Where Vbole

is bole volume (m3

), D is DBH (cm) and BH is bole height (m).

Total Stem Volume V = -0.0754 +0.00737D + 0.328X

X = D2

H/10000 Where V is stem volume (m3), D is DBH (cm) and H is tree height (m) Form factor Volume Volume = Cross-sectional area at breast height × Bole height × Form factor Where form factor has been assumed 0.65

Table 3: Preliminary descriptive result of sampling

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Description Plot size

Total 50x50 m 20x20 m 10x10 m

Area of one plot (m2) 2500 400 100 - Total sampling area (16 plots) (m2) 40,000 6,400 1,600 48,000 Number of tree 264 169 57 490 Average Height (m) 28.17 13.49 6.31 - StdDev of Height [m] 21.54 4.84 2.39 - Average DBH (Cm) 51.08 16.13 7.03 - StdDev of DBH (Cm) 23.57 5.26 1.40 - Bole volume (m3/ha) 318.44 60.80 - - Total stem volume (m3/ha) 233.64 48.38 4.40 - StdDev total stem volume (m3/ha) 2.08 0.31 0.07 - Total volume form factor (m3/ha) 332.71 57.42 6.25 -

The mean of the bole volume, total stem volume and form factor volume per hectare estimated from the full plots (50x50m) is about 318 m3/ha, 234 m3/ha and 333 m3/ha respectively. We applied three types of allometric equations to estimate the forest biomass in the research area. The equation models are: Equation 1: AG (kg) = 0.0288*DBH^2.6948

Equation 2: AGB = exp(-1.996 + 2.23 * ln(DBH))

Equation 3: AGB = 10^(-0.535 + log10 (basal area))

Equation 1 was selected from the ARBCP Technical Training Workshop conducted by Winrock International in Vientiane in 2010. Equations 2 and 3 are from Brown ()1997) and are for tropical dry forest biomass estimation. The application of these equations to the project site needs to be considered further, and other equations could be introduced and the results compared. The living tree biomass (t/ha), carbon (t C/ha) and carbon dioxide (t CO2/ha) for the different sized plots was calculated, but is not reported here as further analysis is required. (3) Observation and proposed activities for FY 2013 The community team members have different backgrounds and experience related to forest activities. Most of them can follow the training sessions and understand the project, though it is important that instructions are clear and that simply guidelines are used. Field sheets also need to be carefully designed There are some areas for potential improvement. Almost all the community team members are male. Women could be encouraged to join the project activities by attending the training workshops, joining the consultation meetings, and participating in the forest inventory and measurement activities.

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The community teams are very active in the training programs, and after the training programs are able to establish the sample plots with some guidance from the trainers. However, the accuracy of the inventory activities and working performance may need to be improved. Some of the community team members could become local trainers who train the others member in their communities. Despite the enthusiasm of the community teams that is observed, the CCA activity is not linked to community livelihoods. Therefore, an incentive scheme linked to community livelihood improvement needs to be tied into the CCA and long-term monitoring systems. The community teams were trained to identify their forest area in satellite images and on understanding maps. After participating in the training on using handheld GPS, they can mark the location of sample plots, and delineate forest boundaries using the GPS tracking function. However, the survey was not able to all parts of the forest, land uses and village boundaries. The research team received basic training on GIS software and a basic map of the project area was constructed. Land use and forest type now require more detailed classification. Further surveys, including ground-truthing, are required. A preliminary analysis of the sample plot data was conducted, but further analysis on forest biomass and forest carbon is required. The equations used need to be reviewed, and others may need to be considered. (4) Proposed Project Activities FY 2013 Reflecting the discussion in section (3), Table 4 lists the proposed project activities with their timelines for FY2013. Table 4: Proposed project activities for FY2013 Project Activities Year 2 (2013/2014)

(From April 2013 – March 2014) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2

Update training manual and field guide

Technical report development

Plots monitoring Simplify result and share with the community

Forest and land use mapping of 4 villages with community and using GIS

Exchange Activities with other projects

Awareness campaign for community

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CCA training workshop Carbon mapping using GIS Progress report References Brown, S. 1997. Estimating biomass and biomass change of tropical forests: a primer. FAO. Forestry

Paper 134, Rome, 87 pp. Mike, C. 2004. Checklist of Lao Plant Names: Lao plants listed by botanical common and regional/Asian

names with Lao names and Lao script. Vientiane Lao PDR Timo P. 2005. Volume and Taper Models for Forest Trees in Lao PDR, Technical Report. SUFORD, Lao

PDR. Vidal, J. 1959. Nome Vernaculaires De Plantes (Lao, Meo, Kha) En Usage Au Laos, Ecole Francaise

D’Extreme Orient, Paris.