The document summarizes the launch and activities of the FAO's Task Force on Monitoring for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The Task Force has over 270 experts working to develop a Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM) to provide indicators, guidance, and case studies for monitoring ecosystem restoration and to support Decade reporting. FERM will include a geospatial platform for accessing monitoring data and tools. The Task Force is testing the integration of FERM with the Dryland Restoration Initiative Platform to support monitoring and evaluation of dryland restoration projects.

2. Launch of Framework for Ecosystem
Restoration Monitoring (FERM)
Julian Fox, FAO Senior Forestry Officer
Fidaa F. Haddad, FAO Forestry Officer
GLF Africa 3 June 2021

3. Task Force on Monitoring
Overview
Terms of Reference – Launched 31st March 2020
Develop a monitoring framework, indicators,
normative guidance, case studies as a technical pillar to
the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
Expected outputs
1. Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM)
– for Decade reporting and restoration stakeholders
2. Technical solutions with training material for monitoring,
country pilots and case studies
3. Geospatial dissemination platform for data access and for
transparency

4. Task Force on Monitoring
Structure
Summary note on Task Force for Monitoring
http://www.fao.org/3/cb0424en/cb0424en.pdf
• Over 270 technical experts from 100
organizations engaged with a shared vision:
Sound monitoring can catalyze
investments and ensure science-
based actions
• Experts divided into three Sub Task Forces
• To propose and agree on a Monitoring
Framework (FERM) by mid-2021
• Close collaboration with Best Practice TF
Monitoring Task Force
Terrestrial
ecosystems
Sub TF
e.g. Forests,
Pasture,
Croplands
Aquatic and
transitional
ecosystems
Sub TF
e.g. Coastal, Sea
grass, Tidal marshes,
Coral reef,
Mangroves,
Peatlands, Lakes and
rivers
Socio-
economic
Sub TF
e.g. drivers,
impacts,
effectiveness of
restoration from
socio-economic
aspect

5. Task Force on Monitoring
FERM Geospatial Platform
FERM User Guide available with step-by-step instructions
http://www.fao.org/3/cb5046en/cb5046en.pdf
Based on FAO’s Hand-In-Hand Geospatial architecture
Ø Explore geospatial information related to soil, water,
vegetation, and socio-economics for your ecosystem of interest
Ø Access tools and guidance for restoration planning and
monitoring
Ø Upload and integrate geospatial data locally, nationally,
regionally, and globally in private work-space
Ø Create compelling restoration impact stories, based on user
specific geospatial data for a defined area of interest
Ø Apply advanced functionality with integration of FAO’s cloud
computing platform SEPAL – mobile compatible
www.data.apps.fao.org/ferm
www.fao.org/national-forest-monitoring/ferm
www.sepal.io

6. Task Force on Monitoring
FERM Registry – upcoming functionality
Contact us at: restoration-monitoring@fao.org to contribute
FERM Registry for recording
geospatial information on restoration
projects - can visualise and disseminate
project data through the FERM platform
Integrate and be interoperable with other
restoration platforms (DRIP)
Shared vision among platform developers
toward interoperability – WEF, 1t.org, WRI,
Climate Focus, IUCN, Restor, Tentree –
collectively catalysing investment in
restoration through transparent monitoring

7. Dryland
Restoration
Initiative
Platform
DRIP
with the ground
Linking the cloud

8. Dryland
Restoration
Initiative
Platform
DRIP
Monitoring &
Reporting Tool
In the form of an interactive
web portal
Module Hosted
in FERM
The Ecosystem Restoration
Monitoring (FERM) platform
Biophysical & Socio-
Economic Indicators
Extent, tree cover, carbon sequestration,
biodiversity, demand, gaps, needs
Synergies with existing
databases
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
and long term sustainability of the platform
Improve the
Monitoring
Different dryland restoration projects,
while giving the possibility to associate it
with LDN monitoring

9. DRIP
Advancing
monitoring
efforts in
drylands

10. DRIP
Advancing
monitoring
efforts in
drylands
Support practitioners
and decision-makers
in strengthening their baseline datasets
about current initiatives and consequently
to fine-tune their interventions and
opportunities to achieve LDN targets.
Voluntary use by
different LDN
committee
working group, decision-makers and
practitioners to monitor and evaluate the
LDN TPPs and results achieved.
Support Donors
to inform their funding decisions on the
LDN projects and Programmes.
Support & document the
importance of gender
responsiveness
indigenous people and traditional knowledge
within the LDN implementation efforts.
Document lessons
learned
on good practices in relation to LDN from
the different transformation projects and
programmes (TPPs).

11. FERM-DRIP
Registry
Integration

12. 1. Project Registration
2. Area of Interest
3. Default Characteristics
4. Definition of Activities
5. Indicator Selection
6. Advanced Characterization
7. Additional Information
DRIP:
FERM
FERM-DRIP
Registry
Integration
The Ecosystem Restoration
Monitoring
8. Analysis & Results

13. FERM-DRIP
Registry
Integration
DRIP:
Monitoring,
implementation,
mid-term
Stage 2
Inception &
Planning
Stage 1
LDN process for
project evaluation
Stage 3
1. Site Description
2. Landscape Management & Restoration
3. Governance
4. Field Implementation
5. Monitoring
• Projects @ Programme Level
• Data for LDN sub indicators / monitoring status
• Projects @ National / International Level

14. FERM-DRIP
Registry
Integration
DRIP:
Monitoring,
implementation,
mid-term
Stage 2
Inception &
Planning
Stage 1
LDN process for
project evaluation
Stage 3

15. FERM-DRIP
Registry
Integration
DRIP:
Monitoring,
implementation,
mid-term
Stage 2
Inception &
Planning
Stage 1
LDN process for
project evaluation
Stage 3

16. FERM-DRIP
Registry
Integration
DRIP:
Monitoring,
implementation,
mid-term
Stage 2
Inception &
Planning
Stage 1
LDN process for
project evaluation
Stage 3

17. DRIP
Development
Implementation
Timeline
Consultation with dryland
experts, evaluation of
needs and possibilities
Align DRIP with FERM.
Creating monitoring
synergies
DRIP - FERM piloting 25
countries. Assessment at
different implementation level
Design of Data analysis
for capturing progress
towards LDN
Incorporation of user
feedback, expert
consultations, training of
DRIP use for scaling up
Piloting experiences pave
the way for countries to use
DRIP in monitoring their
restoration towards LDN
2020 2021 2022
Twenty- Five countries are piloting the integration of FERM/ DRIP
to inform the development of resource-efficient and fit-for-purpose monitoring systems that generates
quality data and information and supports domestic restoration needs and other reporting processes with
strong ownership by governments, and restoration stake-holders.

18. Access to
anybody
committed to
restoration
Through DRIP, anyone involved in
restoration initiatives in Drylands
can report on progress, learn from
on-the-ground success stories and
contribute to achievement of the
UN Decade on Ecosystem
Restoration ambitions.

19. An Opportunity to
Think Outside the
Box
The unfortunate circumstances
caused by the global pandemic
have provided us with an
opportunity to think outside the box
and connect the efforts coming
from the field in an innovative way.
Now more than ever, we have to
invest and link the cloud with the
ground to truly ensure impact and
knowledge sharing across the
world.

20. Turn Back Time
and Reverse
Damage
Drylands are reservoirs of
ecosystems that can help us turn
back time and reverse damage.
Monitoring progress on the
achievement of land degradation
neutrality and sharing lessons
learned must be a priority to ensure
success and upscaling.

21. LINKING THE CLOUD WITH THE GROUND
Piloting the Drylands Restoration
Initiative Platform
Lessons learned from Zimbabwe

22. Zimbabwe
Overview

23. LDN Targets – Zimbabwe

24. Challenges in Zimbabwe for tracking projects
contribution to LDN targets
• The focal point for UNCCD in Zimbabwe is the Environmental Management Agency and the agency is
currently settling up an M&E system.
• Most government institutions in sectors such as environment, agriculture and energy implement activities
that contribute to LDN targets and such institutions do not have robust M&E systems in place.
• NGOs working on activities that contribute to LDN have M&E systems but these are fragmented. The
challenge in both government institutions and NGOs is that there is lack of expertise, financial resources for
setting up all the necessary components e.g. Clearing Houses etc.
• Capturing of Contribution of drylands projects to LDN targets and reporting to UNCCD has been problematic.
A working group has been put in place but it has not been operationalised.

25. DRIP testing – 2 projects
Sustainable management of Miombo and Mopane
production landscapes in Save and Runde sub-basins
following an LDN approach.
Sustainable forest and land management in The
Hwange Sanyati Biological Corridor Project (HSBCP)
area (5, 4 million ha)

26. Feedback on the DRIP piloting

27. Hwange Sanyati Biological
Corridor Project (HSBCP)
53,685 hectares (Sikumi Forest)
Historical period: 2000-2014
Monitoring period for ind. 15.3.1: 2018-2020

28. SDG 15.3.1
Land degradation seems to have stabilized

29. Tools and innovation for ecosystem
restoration monitoring
GLF Africa: Monitoring the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
Yelena Finegold
FAO Forestry Officer 3 June 2021
29

30. Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring
FERM
• Multi-dimensional monitoring needs:
ü Ecosystem type
ü Scale (global, landscape, project)
ü Time frame
ü Objective
• No one size fits all tools or data for
restoration monitoring
Citizen science
Field data
Sensor data
30

31. FERM: Indicator Selection and Tool Mapping
Monitoring progress on ecosystem restoration
Terrestrial
Aquatic & Transitional
Socio-Economic
Over 150 tools and platforms mapped 31

32. SDG monitoring
SDG 15.3.1 – proportion of land that is degraded over total land area
Data on land degradation is reported by
countries to UNCCD, enabled by clear
guidance documents and easy to use tools
32

33. Monitoring: Land & forest restoration
Sustainable forestland resource management in a humanitarian crisis zone – Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Increase in land and wood
fuel demand after massive
refugee influx in August 2017
Restoration
activities started in
September 2018
Indicator: Reduction in land degradation
Data used: National land cover maps, soil organic
carbon, land productivity dynamics
33
2019-2020
2017-2018

34. Monitoring: Forest restoration
Assisted natural regeneration in Putumayo, Colombia
34
300
350
400
450
500
550
600
650
700
750
800
1985 1991 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Vegetation trend from Landsat data 1985-2020
Revegetation using
native species in 2008
Vegetation
index
Indicator: increase in tree and forest cover

35. Monitoring: Drylands restoration
The Great Green Wall: Sanpelga, Burkina Faso
Delfino plough
Micro-basins by the plough
After rainy season
Action and monitoring on the ground Monitoring of planted area from satellite imagery
35
Sentinel-1 radar data
Monitor land preparation, report exact date and revise boundaries
to improve measurements of areas prepared for planting

36. Monitoring: Peatland restoration
Indonesia
36
Canal dam for peatland restoration.
Source: Marcel Silvius, Wetlands International
In degraded peatlands the
creation of canals to establish
crop plantations leads to water
drainage and the consequent soil
degradation and soil organic
carbon loss. Peatland restoration
consists of blocking these canals
using dams to rewet the area.
Ground sensors are used to collect data on soil
moisture and ground water levels using SEPAL the
data is transformed into maps that show trends in
moisture and water levels in the peatlands.
Indonesian government peatland monitoring situation room
Data: Sentinel-1, GDLAS
and ground water level
measurements

37. Key messages
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
Monitoring Task Force is a participatory
effort,
• mobilizing many actors to identify
indicators, tools and data for monitoring
the restoration of ecosystems
• identifying gaps that provide
opportunities to integrate tools and
methods for monitoring
37

38. se.plan
• Spatially explicit forest restoration planning tool
– FAO Open Foris SEPAL (se)
– Google Earth Engine-based
• Emphasizes socio-economics (se):
benefits, costs, risks
38
https://www.infolinks.com/wp-
content/uploads/2010/09/Mygoodpage-Plants-Trees-in-
Africa.png

39. Low and middle income
Countries and territories spanned by the tool
39

40. Defining potential restoration sites
Start with potential
tree cover
(Bastin et al. 2019)
40
Remove sites where
actual = potential
Remove urban
areas

41. Key features
1. User input:
a. Select area of interest (AOI): country, group of countries, region
within country
b. Rate restoration benefits: Local livelihoods
Wood production
Biodiversity conservation
Carbon sequestration
c. Apply constraints: ecological and socioeconomic risks
2. Tool output
• Maps, charts, numerical values
• Restoration suitability index (1-5 scale): relative benefit-cost ratio for
each 1 km2 grid cell
− Benefits = weighted sum, with weights based on user ratings
− Costs = land opportunity cost + forest establishment cost

42. Constraints
Biophysical Forest change Socio-economic
Elevation Climate risk Current land cover
Slope Deforestation rate Protected area
Annual rainfall Natural regeneration Population density
Terrestrial ecoregion variability Declining population
Baseline water stress Accessibility to cities
Property rights
protection

43. Demonstration Video
Visit sepal.io to explore the tool.

44. Test alternative
priority rankings