Forest Conservation: The Key to Climate Mitigation and Global Sustainability
Treevia’sSmartForest Digital Dendrometer
The climate crisis is undoubtedly a major global threat today, with profound impacts on the environment, society and the economy. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events and changes in rainfall patterns are clear signs of the transformations underway. In response to these challenges, mitigating climate change stands out as an essential strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, remove polluting molecules from the atmosphere and limit global warming.
In this context, one of the most effective approaches to fighting climate change is the conservation of forests, which play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and the planet's ecological balance. Forests regulate the climate, store carbon, protect biodiversity and sustain human communities. They are home to a multitude of species of plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms and are vital to the health of our planet.
Considering the importance of conserving and preserving native forests and their biodiversity, in 2012 Brazil enacted the Brazilian Forest Code through Law 12.651/12, which stipulates that farmers must allocate part of their farm to native vegetation cover as a Legal Reserve (RL), in addition to maintaining Permanent Preservation Areas (APP). This obligation ensures the protection of a significant portion of native vegetation. According to Embrapa's Strategic Territorial Intelligence Group (GITE), more than 93.5 million hectares of the country's native vegetation are found on Legal Reserves and Permanent Preservation Areas.
Although laws have made a significant contribution to preservation, data from WWF Brazil and Global Witness shows that Brazilian biomes are still undergoing illegal deforestation, in places like the Cerrado, which in the first five months of 2023 had an area of approximately 2,612 km² degraded, up 35% over the same period in 2022. Agricultural activities and fires were identified as the leading causes of this loss, due mainly to the lack of financial rewards or other incentives for environmental preservation on farms.
Incentives for sustainable practices and the maintenance of native forest reserves thus require new financial mechanisms, such as payments for environmental services, green certifications, conservation funds, tax incentives and carbon credit projects. These mechanisms can generate financial benefits for farmers to afford the cost of preserving their land, with investments in firefighting, repression of illegal hunting and forest restoration when necessary.
To that end, carbon credit projects can take the lead in biodiversity conservation, with significant benefits for both climate change mitigation and conservation of natural ecosystems. Preserving and restoring forests and other natural habitats are core components in these projects, that help protect biodiversity in so many ways.
Such projects not only aim to preserve biodiversity, but also focus on specific initiatives such as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). By preventing deforestation, they preserve essential habitats for countless species, many of them endemic and threatened with extinction. The protection of tropical forests in particular is vital, as homes to a high diversity of species, and for their crucial role in regulating the global climate.
In addition to conservation, carbon credit projects often involve restoring degraded ecosystems such as forests, wetlands and other natural habitats to increase their capacity to capture and store carbon, while also restoring local biodiversity. Ecological restoration enables the return of native species and improves overall ecosystem health, with a greater diversity of flora and fauna.
Integrated planning for both climate mitigation and ecological conservation objectives is the key to maximizing benefits from carbon projects for biodiversity. This includes creating ecological corridors, protecting critical habitat areas and incorporating local knowledge and traditional sustainable land management practices. Long-term monitoring of the impacts of carbon projects on biodiversity is also crucial to fine-tune the practices and ensure positive long-term outcomes.
We must also recognize the importance of methodologies and technologies to monitor and measure biodiversity itself. Technology has proven to be an essential ally in promoting sustainability, with innovative solutions to environmental and social challenges. Measuring biodiversity poses significant technological challenges, such as collecting and analyzing large volumes of data, and standardizing information. Advanced technological tools are essential to overcome these obstacles and ensure effective monitoring.
Treevia’sSmartForest Digital Dendrometer
One notable example of these technological breakthroughs is the SmartForest Digital Dendrometer, developed by Treevia Forest Technologies. This wireless dendrometric sensor offers submillimeter measurements of tree growth, temperature and humidity variations. It also enables daily data collection with wide coverage, generating continuous information on the behavior of forests over time, promoting more precise and transparent management. Continuous monitoring allows for early detection of problems harmful to forest health and enables rapid interventions to mitigate damage and protect local biodiversity.
As carbon credits become increasingly valuable, farmers can trade credits generated by their preserved area and, use the income to fight destructive practices such as poaching and deforestation. In this context, dendrometric sensors are an effective solution for monitoring forests, with a robust Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system to ensure the credibility of carbon credits and thereby their market strength, which means more financial benefits to farmers.
These digital sensors bring unprecedented innovation and technical maturity to the information used by the carbon market. Their methodology reduces potential errors associated with human factors during data collection, while empowering and engaging local communities. Scientifically, the dendrometer generates information over time on various features of biomes, enabling novel analyses of the behavior of forest growth, along with supporting material for the academic and scientific community. This innovation is already in use in the Arbaro Carbon project, which covers more than 5,000 hectares of Cerrado formations, on seven soy farms in western Bahia, in a consortium of the Treevia and GSS companies supported by the Land Innovation Fund, in partnership with the Association of Farmers and Irrigators of Bahia - AIBA. In this pioneering project, 47 Cerrado species are monitored every day, generating a wealth of data on the biome's dynamics that is fundamental for analyzing behavior patterns, seasonality and species' responses to environmental changes. In addition, ongoing monitoring means that potential threats can be identified, such as the influence of human activities and climate change, to design effective conservation strategies.
Technology is therefore a crucial ally for a more sustainable future. By promoting efficiency, reducing waste and encouraging responsible practices, it not only mitigates environmental impacts, but also opens new opportunities for a fairer and more balanced economic development.
However, in addition to developing new technologies, environmental conservation can only be viable and sustainable with favorable public policies, such as effective regulation and enforcement, education and training, research and development, integrated land-use planning and economic incentives.
This means that collaboration among governments, the private sector, local communities and non-governmental organizations is essential for the success of these initiatives. With integrated, coordinated efforts, we can find a sustainable balance between economic development and environmental preservation, and ensure a positive legacy for future generations.
In short, forest conservation is emerging as a key element to mitigate climate change and promote global sustainability. The preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems, combined with innovative technologies and stronger public policies, are keys to protecting biodiversity and regulating the climate. The success of these initiatives, however, depends on multisectoral collaboration and recognition of the economic value of forests. Only through joint efforts involving governments, the private sector and local communities will it be possible to ensure a balanced and sustainable future for the planet, benefiting both current and future generations.
* Thayane Carvalho is a Forest Analyst and holds a PhD in Forest Engineering; Maycow Berbert is CTO of Treevia Forest Technologies and holds a bachelor's degree in Forest Engineering; Esthevan Gasparoto is CEO of Treevia Forest Technologies and holds a master's degree in Forest Resources; Lucas Zappia is a Data Scientist and holds a master's degree in Forest Science; Júlia Gomes is a Trainee and a Technologist in Systems Analysis and Development.