International Meeting on Land Cover/Land Use Change (LCLUC) in South Asia and Synthesis

Synthesis Meeting on the Scientific Foundations of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation by Natural Climate Solutions in South Asia

This proposed SARI synthesis project for South Asia is focused on understanding LCLUC patterns and processes related to agricultural landscapes of smallholder tree-based systems and their potential as natural climate solutions. The synthesis shall provide an observation-based evaluation of the degree to which these landscapes are increasing in terms of cover and biomass, and then evaluate what conditions lead to increases in tree and forest cover in South Asia, and under what conditions do improvements in tree and forest cover contribute to improving rural livelihoods. The objective of the proposed SARI South Asia Synthesis Consortium (SARI-SAS) is twofold: 1) synthesize current and recent NASA research on LCLUC to contribute to a fundamental understanding of their patterns and drivers and 2) translate fundamental science into evidence-based contributions to important climate mitigation and adaptation policy for the region.

Program Details:

Day 1 – Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Registration & Tea

Time: 9.00 am - 10.00 am

Theme 1: Leveraging Trees Outside of Forests: Integrating Socioeconomic and Biophysical Data for Restoration and Community Well-Being

Time: 10.00 am – 11.30 a.m. (Plenary)

Session Leader: Forrest Fleischmann/Pooja Choksi

Theme Description

This theme centers on leveraging trees outside of forests (TOF) by integrating socioeconomic and biophysical data for restoration. It emphasizes community well-being, exploring successful TOF restoration projects and the role of local knowledge. The discussion covers policy implications, funding, and related research areas like agroforestry, urban tree restoration, and community forestry.

Theme 2: Enhancing Tree Cover Outside of Forests (TOF) in Agricultural Landscapes: Assessing Trends, Benefits, and Drivers

Time: 11.30 am – 1.00 pm (Plenary)

Session Leader: Dave Skole/Randy Wynne

Theme Description

This theme centers on the assessment of tree cover outside of forests (TOF) in agricultural landscapes, particularly in semi-arid regions, with a focus on India. The objective is to understand the trends, benefits, and drivers of increasing tree cover in smallholder agriculture systems. The research combines remote sensing, field surveys, and econometric analysis to detect and measure TOF, evaluate economic valuations of ecosystem services (ES), and examine the factors driving these trends. By addressing the complexities of TOF expansion and its impact on carbon sequestration and land use transitions, this theme sheds light on the reversal of natural ecosystem conversion and land degradation trends in smallholder agriculture landscapes.

Lunch

(Hosted by Ashoka University)

Time: 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm

Keynote Presentation 1 (TBD)

Time: 2.00 pm – 2.30 pm

Concurrent/Break-out Sessions (w/ tea)

Time: 2.30 pm – 4.00 pm

Theme 1

Key Discussion Points:

• TOF Restoration Significance: Explore the importance of restoring trees outside of forests for ecosystem enhancement.
• Data Integration Techniques: Discuss methods for combining data to guide TOF restoration efforts.
• Success Stories: Share examples of effective TOF restoration projects and community involvement.
• Community-Centric Approaches: Highlight the role of local engagement in shaping TOF restoration strategies.
• Ecosystem Services Impact: Examine how TOF restoration benefits local communities through ecosystem services.
• Policy and Funding: Discuss the policy and funding aspects for scaling TOF restoration with community inclusion.

Theme 2

Key Discussion Points:

• Assessment of TOF Trends: Explore the trends in TOF expansion, particularly in semi-arid agricultural landscapes, and the potential implications for carbon sequestration and land use transitions.
• Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services: Discuss the economic valuation of ES by smallholders and its correlation with the promotion of TOF.
• Remote Sensing and Data Analysis: Highlight the methodologies used for remote sensing detection and inventory of TOFs, including the mapping of individual trees and small tree patches.
• Field Surveys and Econometric Analysis: Discuss the field surveys and econometric analysis employed to understand smallholders' motivations for increasing tree cover and the economic benefits they derive.
• Spatial Data Analysis Tiers: Explore the multi-tiered approach to spatial data analysis, including fractional tree cover mapping, TOF geometries mapping, and hyperspatial data analysis.

Report Back Session (Plenary)

Time: 4.00 – 5.00 pm

Rapporteurs from Theme 1 & Theme 2 discussion report back on proceedings from their break-out rooms

Dinner

(Hosted by Ashoka University) with Cultural Performance by local artists.

Time: 5.00 pm – 7.00 pm

End of Day 1

Day 2 – Wednesday, April 10, 2023

Breakfast & Tea

Time: 9.00 – 10.00 am

Theme 3: Data Downscaling for Smallholder Tree Systems in India

Time: 10.00 am – 11:30 am (Plenary)

Session Leader: Aditya Singh

Theme Description

Explore data downscaling's role in improving smallholder tree systems, bridging food security and sustainable land use in India. Discuss methods, policies, and interdisciplinary insights.

Theme 4: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Time: 11.30 – 1.00 pm (Plenary)

Session Leader: Joshua Gray/ Dave Skole/ Forrest Fleischmann

Theme Description

This theme focuses on the potential of tree-based agricultural practices to enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EGP) amid challenges posed by climate change. The region has struggled to realize the agricultural transformations seen elsewhere in South Asia. To address future food demand and climate adaptation, this theme explores the adaptive potential of integrating trees into smallholder farming systems. The central hypotheses are that smallholders have already adapted to climate change by adopting tree-based practices, which have mitigated its effects on crop yields. However, socioeconomic barriers hinder widespread adoption. Through innovative remote sensing, statistical modeling, field data collection, and household surveys, this theme aims to quantify contemporary tree-based practices, their impact on resilience, and the barriers to further transformation.

Lunch

(Hosted by Ashoka University)

Time: 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm

Keynote Presentation 2 (TBD)

Time: 2.00 pm – 2.30 pm

Concurrent/Break-out Sessions (w/ tea)

Time: 2.30 pm – 4.00 pm

Theme 3

Key Discussion Points:

• Data Downscaling for Smallholder Tree Systems: Explore the application of data downscaling techniques to improve the monitoring and management of trees outside forests in smallholder systems across India.
• Bridging Food Security and Sustainable Land Use: Discuss how enhanced data resolution and analysis can contribute to the dual goals of enhancing food security and promoting sustainable land use practices in economically depressed regions of India.
• Integration of Socioeconomic and Biophysical Data: Delve into the integration of socioeconomic and biophysical data to understand the multifaceted nature of food insecurity and its relationship with smallholder tree systems.
• Community-Centered Approaches: Highlight community engagement and local knowledge integration as key components of successful data downscaling initiatives that empower smallholders.
• Policy Implications: Explore the policy implications and recommendations arising from the combined research findings, focusing on supporting marginalized communities and sustainable land management.
• Interdisciplinary Insights: Emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of the theme, drawing from insights in agriculture, remote sensing, food security, and sustainable development.

Theme 4

Key Discussion Points:

• Adaptive Potential of Tree-Based Agriculture: Explore how integrating trees into smallholder farming practices contributes to climate resilience.
• Impact of Tree-Based Practices: Discuss the effectiveness of tree-based practices in mitigating climate change's effects on crop yields.
• Socioeconomic Barriers: Examine the barriers preventing widespread adoption of tree-based agriculture.
• Remote Sensing and Data Fusion: Highlight the innovative remote sensing methodologies, including data fusion and classification, used to map and analyze tree cover change in cropland landscapes.
• Household Surveys and Cultivation Decisions: Discuss insights from household surveys on farmer attitudes towards climate change and how cultivation decisions may influence tree cover changes.

Report Back Session (Plenary)

Time: 4.00 – 5.00 pm

Rapporteurs from Theme 3 & Theme 4 report back on proceedings from their break-out rooms

Dinner

(Hosted by Michigan State University) with Cultural Performance by local artists.

Time: 5.00 pm – 7.00 pm

End of Day 2

Day 3 – Thursday, April 11, 2023

Theme 5: Moving Toward Net Zero Nature Based Solutions and Trees Outside Forests in South Asia

Time: 9.00 – 10.30 am (Plenary)

Session Leaders: Dave Skole/Randy Wynne/Forrest Fleischmann/Joshua Gray/Aditya Singh

Theme Description:

This theme is dedicated to the examination of policy, governance, and political factors that influence tree cover establishment and change in diverse contexts. Four teams have conducted intensive research on government interventions aimed at enhancing tree cover and livelihoods. These interventions fall into three distinct categories: government action with limited public engagement, collaborative governance with livelihood support, and private market action with supportive government policies. The theme seeks to synthesize findings from these interventions and assess their impacts on tree cover and rural livelihoods. It also draws on ecosystem services valuation research to provide insights into the multifaceted outcomes of these interventions.

Key Discussion Points:

• Impacts on Tree Cover: Discuss the effects of these interventions on tree cover, canopy, and forest regeneration, as revealed by empirical research.
• Rural Livelihoods: Examine how these interventions have influenced the livelihoods of rural communities, including their economic and social well-being.
• Policy and Governance Analysis: Delve into the policy and governance mechanisms that have shaped the outcomes of these interventions and their sustainability.
• Ecosystem Services Valuation: Discuss the findings related to the economic and ecological valuation of ecosystem services resulting from tree cover changes.
• Political Drivers: Explore the political factors that have influenced decision-making in tree planting and afforestation initiatives.

Field Visit

Time: 10.30 am – 1.00 pm

End of Day 3

Local Host and Venue: Ashoka University, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonipat, Khewra, Haryana 131021, India

Local Contact

Dr. Meghna Agarwala, Assistant Professor, Ashoka University, Email: [email protected]

SARI South Asia Synthesis Project Contact
Sayon Ghosh, Research Coordinator, Email: [email protected]

Mandatory Registration:

Register Now (Google Forms)

Nearby Hotels
Hotel Antilia by Zion
NH-44, Joshi Chouhan, Delhi Rd, Bahalgarh, Ambala, Sonipat, Haryana 131021, India
https://zionhotels.in/

International Steering Committee
Dr. Krishna Prasad Vadrevu, Deputy Program Manager, NASA LCLUC Program (HQ), Email: [email protected]
Dr. David Skole, Professor, Project PI, Michigan State University, Email: [email protected]
Dr. Aditya Singh, Assistant Professor, Email: [email protected]
Dr. Forrest Fleischmann, Associate Professor, Email: [email protected]
Dr. Josh Gray, Associate Professor, Email: [email protected]
Dr. Randy Wynne, Professor, Virginia Tech University, Email: [email protected]
Dr. Ruth DeFries, Professor, Columbia University, Email: [email protected]
Dr. Valerie Thomas, Professor, Virginia Tech University, Email: [email protected]

Local steering committee members
Gautam Menon, Dean of Research, Ashoka University
Partha Pratim Das, Professor of Computer Science, on lien from IIT-Kharagpur
Divya Karnad, Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, Ashoka University
Manvi Sharma, Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, Ashoka University
Anupama Ambika, Assistant Director, Research and Development Office, Ashoka University
Ashish Pathak, Assistant Director, Administration | Ashoka University