Building Blue Carbon Projects - An Introductory Guide

researchers is to improve their access to higher resolution images – an activity they are working on in partnership with other international Blue Carbon scientists. The work is done by a combined group of local non-governmental organizations and academic researchers who participate in research, analysis, and in conveying the findings to decision makers at the government level. Presently, this research focuses on expanding the science and filling in data gaps, though there certainly are longer-term goals of engaging with local communities to better understand the importance of these ecosystems and their provision of ecosystem services. One of the main focuses of this work is to bring together those within Indonesia in a forum for knowledge sharing and collaboration and to better understand the science and policy around Blue Carbon in Indonesia. Further to this, in the last quarter of 2013 Indonesia put forth a National Science Plan that collates input from regional and national scientists to coordinate an action plan and a uniform understanding on Blue Carbon in Indonesia. Both activities are noteworthy, as they are the first of their kind and greatly needed in Indonesia where numerous Blue Carbon activities are underway. The Indonesian community of local non-profit organizations, scientists, governments and community stakeholders will convene in a roundtable effort to map current field activities and prevent any overlap of efforts, as well as find areas for partnership in the field. The forum and the National Plan are bringing together the many Blue Carbon activities in Indonesia, presenting a coordinated effort to convey information to decision makers about the importance of conserving and  sustainable use of  Indonesia’s Blue Carbon ecosystems.     Furthermore, in late December 2013, Blue Carbon Research Group, Agency for marine and fisheries research and development along with other International partners (German International Cooperation (GIZ), Conservation International, Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Program (ATSEA) and IUCN) organize the 1 st International Workshop on Blue Carbon in Jakarta. This workshop was dedicated to bridging the gap between science and policy in Blue Carbon by providing a framework for science development that maximizes sustainable use, rehabilitation and conservation of the coastal ecosystems. Indonesia’s  Blue  Carbon  efforts will  continue 2014 and beyond, as Indonesia is an Intervention of the GEF Blue Forests Project. The GEF Blue Forests Project will add additional value to efforts already underway, by expanding the sites where field work is conducted and attempting valuation activities  for  the  ecosystem  services  provided  by  Indonesia’s mangroves  and  seagrasses,  along   with accompanying capacity building with local experts (Figure 13). Expected outcomes from GEF support include improved capacity and ecosystem management supporting the sustainable use of mangrove and seagrass resources and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Building Blue Carbon Projects An Introductory Guide

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