Within the borders of Liberia is one of the latest strengths of intact forests in West Africa.
But as Liberia’s economy recovers after years of civil war, experts fear forests, and other ecosystems throughout the country, could become victims of unsustainable development of oil palm, urbanization and logging.
To avoid this, the Liberian government must first know where its most valuable ecosystems are, how much of them they remain and what critical services provide people.
An innovative effort is helping them to achieve the first step to draw a course for a more sustainable future.
In association with Conservation International and NASA, the Government of Liberia recently mapped the various ecosystems of the country, from lush forests to coastal mangroves, and analyzed how they have changed over time.
These “ecosystem extension maps” will help the government quantify the economic benefits of the natural resources of Liberia and the services they provide to people: the “natural capital” of the country. They were created using remote detection data generated by the NASA Earth Observation Satellites fleet and field of international conservation scientists.
The next step: so that decision makers use thesis to promote the value of the natural capital of Liberia by planning their economic growth and long -term development.
“Maps allow the Government to determine the true scope of forests, mangroves and freshwater ecosystems in Liberia, each of which provides the economy and communities essential services for the livelihoods and long -term economic reserve,” said Daniel Freeh Science.
Working with the Government of Liberia, Conservation International and NASA will continue to develop even detailed maps of the country that explain the condition of their ecosystems and quantify the specific services that provide people at the community and regional level.
The Mapping Initiative in Liberia – Which Serves As A Model for Similar, Future Projects in Gabon and Botswana – Supports the Goals of the Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa (GDSA), A Commitment Made by 18 African country to invest of the invest of the invest of the invest of the invest of the invest of the invest of The Invest of the Invest of the Invest of the In Invest of the In Invest of the In Invest of the In Invest of the In Invest of the In Investic of the Investic of the Investic of the In Investic of the In Investic of the In Investic or Dopment to Investic of the Investic of the Investic of the Investic of the Ectro Continent resources naturally.
“With this effort, the Liberia government leads the path regionally to evaluate the values of nature, something that is needed to inform planning, sustainable development and conservation efforts in the country and Africa,” Juhn added.
For more information, how the Liberian government will use maps to protect the nature of the country. and Economy watch the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcg5sqovpqs
Video courtesy or NASA.
Kiley Price is a personnel writer for Conservation International. Why read more stories like this? Register to obtain updates by email. Donate to Conservation International.
Cover image: a man who looks at the East Nimba nature reserve, Liberia (© International Conservation/Bailey Evans Photo)
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