Version 1.0
Date 26/02/2024
This is an evolving document and we are happy to discuss this with partners.
1. THE NEED
Forests take-up huge amounts of carbon and store it as biomass. They can release carbon too,
especially when damaged or destroyed. How much carbon forests store directly impacts
future climate warming. With no credible path to keeping heating within 1.5 degrees without
healthy forests, humanity needs to know exactly where this biomass carbon is, if forests’ vital
functions are changing, and what their future holds.
This need for verifiable and consistent measurement of forest carbon stocks and fluxes is
rapidly growing, to support nature-based solutions that can help tackle climate change and
for communities to quantify the ecosystem services of their lands.
Space agencies have made enormous investments in Earth Observation missions to map forest
biomass across continents to support climate science and carbon markets. Yet, satellites do
not measure biomass directly, use a variety of techniques, lack ground control and rarely last
more than a few years. They measure proxies for biomass, like tree height. Consequently, the
resulting biomass maps are often inconsistent. This undermines confidence in space-based
carbon estimates.
To unlock the value of these investments requires careful, globally consistent ground-based
measurements to calibrate satellites and ensure accurate estimates of forest carbon. In short,
to ensure that forest biomass maps can be used by everyone with confidence, we need eyes
on the ground to help those in the sky.
International forest plot networks have been established by the scientific community
(ForestGEO, ForestPlots.net, TmFO). They provide long-term, high-quality observational data.
Yet, these networks, and the sites they include are typically funded on a case-by-case basis,
and they depend critically on short-term funding cycles.
GEO-TREES is filling this critical gap by building the world’s first ground-based, open-access,
equitably developed and funded reference system to ensure that satellite observations
accurately represent forest carbon stocks on the ground.
2. GEO-TREES CONCEPT
The GEO-TREES concept was established by a coalition of world-wide specialists, representing
international networks of permanent forest inventories, space agencies, and leading science
institutions with important and diverse input from others to support the efforts of forest
carbon mapping by Earth Observation technologies.
The GEO-TREES initiative funds high quality ground data from a global network of long-term
forest inventories and makes these data openly available at the website www.data.geo-
trees.org.
GEO-TREES aims to be the standard reference system for the calibration and validation of
satellite-based above ground biomass (AGB) products. It is a vital contribution to the Earth
Observation mission to map and monitor forest carbon and AGB at a global scale.
Standing at the nexus of ecology and remote-sensing, GEO-TREES is an ambitious world-wide
network of forest biomass reference sites building on four integrated principles:
Partnerships & Engagement: To generate high-quality ground measurements, GEO-TREES
partners with ecological and botanical specialists around the world. Partners are fully engaged
and involved in every step of the project. Only with strong representation of partners,
particularly from the Global South, and only with fair compensation for the work especially of
Global South partners and investment in their institutions and skills, can science capacity be
advanced. This is essential for the long-term sustainability of the GEO-TREES system.
Innovative technologies: GEO-TREES aims to build on preexisting forest research sites
benefiting from the field experience of the teams on site and forming part on a long-term
research effort. At least 100 forest biomass reference sites will be supported that will
represent the various environmental and anthropogenic dimensions over which forests occur
globally. Ground measurements involve four integrated sets of measurements: forest
inventory plots with high-quality botanical identification, airborne laser scanning, terrestrial
laser scanning, and climate monitoring. Many additional sites will be needed to fill gaps, using
well-identified and carefully measured forest plots. GEO-TREES then uses the established
recommendations of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites for validating satellite
derived AGB products (https://lpvs.gsfc.nasa.gov/AGB/AGB_home.html).
Long-term commitment: Forest carbon and biomass are hugely dynamic through space and
time. Maintaining current and accurate estimates of carbon and biomass stocks requires
continued long-term measurements. Long-term measurements also ensure the continued
engagement and participation of partners throughout the system.
Open-access data: GEO-TREES is committed to equitably produced, fully funded and openly
shared global forest biomass reference measurements. High-quality, high-resolution maps of
the world’s forests developed through the Earth Observation missions in partnership with
GEO-TREES will be made open to all.
3. GOVERNANCE
3.1. Executive Board
The Executive Board is the core scientific team in charge of implementing the GEO-TREES
science objectives.
3.1.1. Composition
The Executive Board composition shall reflect the full expertise required for the
implementation of GEO-TREES. It is composed of:
• up to two project chairs (Directors). The project chairs (Directors) shall be impartial
towards the interests of each international forest plot network involved in the GEO-
TREES initiative.
• up to two representatives (one network and one site representative) of each of the
three founding partner networks: ForestGEO, ForestPlots.net, and TmFO.
Executive Board members are listed in Appendix A to this document.
The Executive Board is supported by a Project Coordinator. The Project Coordinator oversees
organizing all meetings of GEO-TREES (preparation, minutes of meetings). The Project
Coordinator does not have a vote.
3.1.2. Nomination
• The Executive Board shall not exceed eight members.
• GEO-TREES is a scientific project. The Executive Board is equivalent to the role of a
Principal Investigator (PI) and as such, members are not nominated by a third party.
• If a member resigns, s/he informs the Executive Board at least a month in advance. A
new member will be nominated for an equivalent role.
• The duration of the Executive Board term is 4 years, starting 1st January 2024.
• Executive Board members are implicitly reappointed, until they resign.
3.1.3. Role and responsibility
The Executive Board has the following roles:
• Define the long-term strategy.
• Define an annual work plan, including which sites will be supported each year.
• Decide on financial matters (GEO-TREES funds can be managed by different, individual
entities, but decisions on how these funds are spent will be taken by the Executive
Board).
• Decide on protocols for data-sharing, data use, and intellectual property related to
data produced as part of the project.
• Implement the work plan, including field inventories, aerial surveys, training, data-
management and so on.
• Communicate with any third party, in particular: Invite, negotiate and involve any
relevant organisation (donors, plot networks, scientific institutions).
• Report to the other structures, Donors and the GEO-TREES community.
3.1.4 Organisation
The Executive Board shall meet in a formal meeting twice per year and in ad-hoc meetings.
Biannual meetings. These are formal Executive Board meetings. At these meetings
attendance is requested. The agenda of these meetings shall include (i) a report of the Project
coordinator on the progress with respect to the annual workplan; and (ii) All important
decisions. The meeting is chaired by the Directors. For these meetings, written minutes shall
be taken and shared with the GEO-TREES Community.
Ad hoc meetings. These Executive Board meetings shall be called as needed, roughly monthly.
The meetings are chaired by the Directors. Minutes are taken for internal reference and
published in the private Teams shared documents of GEO-TREES.
Decisions are taken unanimously. If unanimity cannot be reached, a vote with a majority of
2/3 decides.
3.2. Scientific Advisory Board
The Scientific Advisory Board represents the scientific GEO-TREES community and provides
advice and insight on the overall GEO-TREES strategy.
3.2.1. Composition
Members of the Scientific Advisory Board shall represent the various communities involved
in GEO-TREES such as site PIs, Earth Observation experts, scientists, technical experts.
The leaders of the Technical Implementation Groups are part of the Scientific Advisory Board.
The Scientific Advisory Board members are listed in Appendix A of this document.
3.2.2. Nomination
Scientific Advisory Board members are nominated intuitu personae by the Executive Board.
Potential candidates may be suggested by standing Scientific Advisory Board members.
The term of the Scientific Advisory Board is 4 years, starting from 1st January 2024.
3.2.3. Role and responsibility
The Scientific Advisory Board has following tasks and responsibilities:
• Provide advice on specific aspects of the annual work plan.
• Give recommendations, support and advice on the plan and actions from a scientific,
technical and applications perspective.
• Support the implementation of certain actions.
3.2.4. Organisation
The Scientific Advisory Board shall meet every 6 months preceding the Executive Board
biannual meeting. The meeting is chaired by the GEO-TREES Directors and Executive Board
members are invited.
Recommendations are taken unanimously, and in case of disagreement, the minority view
shall be reported in written.
3.3. Strategic Advisory Committee
The Strategic Advisory Committee represents key strategic partners of GEO-TREES. It
supports GEO-TREES to achieve its long-term strategic goals on financial, institutional, and
programmatic aspects.
3.3.1. Composition
The Strategic Advisory Committee is composed of the five founding institutions of GEO-
TREES: CIRAD, CNRS, the European Space Agency, the Smithsonian Tropical Research
Institution, and University of Leeds.
The Strategic Advisory Committee members are listed in Appendix A to this document.
3.3.2. Nomination
Strategic Advisory Committee members are invited by the Executive Board. The term of the
Strategic Advisory Committee is 4 years from 1st January 2024.
3.3.3. Role and responsibility
The Strategic Advisory Committee provides high-level advice on financial, institutional, and
programmatic aspects. The role could evolve when new major actors are involved.
3.3.4. Organisation
The Strategic Advisory Committee shall meet once a year. The meeting is chaired by the
GEO-TREES Directors. The Executive Board participates in the meetings of the Strategic
Advisory Committee.
3.4. Technical Implementation Group
The Technical Implementation Group oversees the implementation of the data acquisition,
quality assessment and quality control (QA/QC), for the tree inventories, for airborne laser
scanning, and for terrestrial laser scanning.
3.4.1. Composition
The Technical Implementation Group is composed of three sub-groups: Tree inventories;
Airborne laser scanning (ALS) and Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS).
Each sub-group is composed of two leaders and of non-permanent members. The members are nominated based on their scientific expertise to implement the GEO-TREES technical
programs.
The Technical Implementation Group members are listed in Appendix A to this document.
3.4.2 Nomination
The leads of each subgroup of the Technical Implementation Group are nominated intuitu
personae by the Executive Board.
The non-permanent members of each sub-group are nominated by the Technical
Implementation Group leaders or by the Executive Board. The term of the non-permanent
member depends on the mission for which they work.
3.4.3. Role and responsibility
The Technical Implementation Group discusses technical issues. It provides input to
protocols, guidance on methods.
3.4.4 Organisation
Each sub-group of the Technical Implementation Group shall meet on a regular basis.
Meetings are called and chaired by the two subgroup leads.
APPENDIX
Appendix A: Composition of the GEO-TREES governance
Executive Board
• Directors:
o Jerome Chave (CNRS, France)
o Klaus Scipal (ESA, Italy)
• Partner representatives:
o Stuart Davies (STRI, USA; ForestGEO)
o Alvaro Duque (Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia)
o Beatriz Marimon (UNEMAT, Brazil; ForestPlots.net)
o Oliver Phillips (University of Leeds, UK; ForestPlots.net)
o Camille Piponiot Laroche (CIRAD, France; TmFO)
o Irié Casimir Zo-Bi (INP-HB, Côte d’Ivoire; TmFO)
Scientific Advisory Board
o Luiz Aragao (INPE, Brazil)
o *Mathias Disney (University College London, UK)
o **Laura Duncanson (University of Maryland, USA)
o Martin Herold (GFZ Potsdam, Germany)
o *** Euridice Honorio (University of Saint Andrews, UK)
o **Tommaso Jucker (University of Bristol, UK)
o *Helene Muller-Landau (STRI, USA)
o Sassan Saatchi (NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA)
o Dmitry Schepaschenko (IIASA, Austria)
o Bonaventure Sonké (University of Yaounde I, Cameroon)
o *** Genoveva Gatti (National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Argentina)
*: The two Technical Implementation subgroup leaders for TLS
**: The two Technical Implementation subgroup leaders for ALS
***: The two Technical Implementation subgroup leaders for Forest Plots
Strategic Advisory Committee
• Representative of each of the fie founding institutions:
o Guy Ziv (University of Leeds)
o Stéphane Blanc (CNRS)
o Inge Jonckheere (ESA)
o Plinio Sist (CIRAD)
o Joshua Tewksbury (STRI)