Case Studies

World Forest Observatory Needed to Monitor Vital Role of Forests in Climate Deal
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091130121435.htm

This case study is done by Dr. Grainger, and the World Forest Observatory, to track the trends of deforestation. They use satellites to track the world’s forests and how they are changing over the years. So far, the organization has the technology to use the satellites but not the organization to actually track the forests. Only a few countries use this organization to track the countries deforestation but Dr. Grainger is trying to expand to other countries. "There is growing interest across the world in making full use of the satellite technology at our disposal to measure the planet so we can manage it better," Dr. Grainger said.

Eastern US Forests Resume Decline
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100407094447.htm

This case study is a study done by the US Geological Survey (USGS), and part of the Land Cover Trends project. This survey is done to find the changes in the eastern part of the country from 1973 to 2000, using remotely sensed imagery as well as statistical data, field notes, and ground photographs. This study has resulted in a 4.1 percent decline in total forest area, which is equivalent to 3.7 million hectares. Also, in addition to these forests being deforested, mountaintop removal for mining in the Appalachian highlands is also occurring which adds another 420,000 hectares to the total forest deforestation in the eastern United States. The authors of this case study, Mark A. Drummond and Thomas R. Loveland, suggest that deforestation may not plateau which "has important implications for sustainability, future carbon sequestration, and biodiversity."

The End of Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091203163148.htm

This case study, which is The Policy Forum, is done by multiple organizations including Woods Hole Research Center, Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazonia (IPAM), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Aliança da Terra, Environmental Defense Fund, University of Florida, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, and the Universidade Federal do Pará. This case study reveals that deforestation in Brazil has lowered 64 % since 2005, due to the government’s “crack-down” on illegal activity in the region. Along with this information, it is estimated that $6.5 to $18 billion between 2010 and 2020 to reach the end of deforestation which leads to a decrees in carbon dioxide emissions. This case study overall, deals with Brazil’s government commitments and the market transition, which will save Brazil from further deforestation.