Fa Un De Ya
who we are
Protecting the infinite Amazon forests
Surinam is a country with 93% tree cover. It is almost fully covered by the Amazon, which puts a pressure on the country and its people. How can such a large area of forest be monitored and protected, especially when labour force is limited – the country has a population density of 3.77 people per square kilometer (compared to 422 in The Netherlands or, 62 globally!)
In this project Cambisol explores the opportunities to use remote sensing tools in the daily management of the forests for those who work in it. Can innovative tools like a drone or satellite data support in reaching a larger area of forest?
The forests of Suriname need youth, a lot of youth, to care for it, to protect it. There are so many alternatives though: many choose finance, or oil, or tourism above working in the forest.
In our project activities, we have a specific focus on this group of people. Our idea is: if we integrate drone technology in the management of the forests, the job will become more appealing for youth to choose.
In Fa Un De Ya we picture the wonderful forests of Surinam, and the people protecting it. We find passion and dedication, especially among the youth of the country.
We show our journey of designing methods for using remote sensing in the Amazon and the people we met.
Happily, we have found an important icon from Suriname to support us: Kenneth Bron (a.k.a. Kenny B). Kenny invited us for an interview, and brings you along on our journey. Having a long track record in bringing society and policy together, and caring for youth in his country, he explains why the Amazon is of such importance for Suriname.
The Amazon is our cheque for the future. If you don’t know to choose what study program you want to do: choose for the forest. You will be a happy human!
Kenneth Bron (Kenny B.)
On top of that, we meet youngsters Ilgia Hoepel (SBB), Tjamba Afonsoewa (VSG), Guillermo Emmanuel (ACT) and Sathyam Noersalim (VIDS) who explain their passion and vision for sustainable forest management.
Check this video as a mini-documentary about what we did for the project:
This project is part of a wider SIA/NWO funded program, led by Hogeschool van Hall Larenstein. Together with multiple Surinamese partners we are running this 2-year project. We acknowledge we are just outsiders, but that is exactly the idea: we listen, we facilitate the brainstorm and the exploration to integrate remote sensing tools in the daily management of the local organisations.
As a result, we have come to the development of a brochure of 4 concrete, hands-on and realistic scenarios how we see the integration of remote sensing in the work of forest managers. Of course we make use of the existing available tools and (open source) software, as well as open source codes or Machine Learning tools like EMBRAPA. The scenarios are:
Scenario 1: Classifying different forest types
Usually forest types were identified by going into the field as seeing it from the sky is difficult: the tree cover is so dense, it is hard to estimate its height, and to see what’s below it. We develop a scenario in which a forest manager can classifying these different forest types using large scale drone or satellite imagery datasets.
Scenario 2: Recognizing non timber forest products (NTFP)
Recognizing a specific forest type: non timber forest products (NTFP), meaning: any type of tree that is usually used by local communities to harvest from except its timber. This can be fruits or medicinal products or anything else. By recognizing these quicker from the sky, these products can be monitored and sustained for the future. A potential side effect is that the forest might be valued even more by the local communities and be protected because of that. We gladly make use of the open source AI tool EMBRAPA.
Scenario 3: Preventing illegal logging
Early detection of illegal activities in the forests, like logging or mining activities. Forest managers can trace wood logging activities much earlier, or even predict where these activities could take place in the near future. As a result, they can take swift action to prevent or to mitigate the effects.
Scenario 4: Community protected forests
Using tools to engage local communities in the monitoring through participatory forest monitoring. Smaller communities are eager to protect their forests and be involved in this process in an integrated way. Community groups can enrich their toolbox, as for example a camera trap to monitor fauna.
You will find the brochure as soon as it is published through our open source training platform www.restoring.earth. Until then, stay tuned by following Cambisol on LinkedIn.
A special thanks to colleagues from SBB, Tropenbos Suriname, ACT, CELOS and of course HVHL for their project coordination, and of course everyone we had the honour to talk to.
