The forest preservation compensation program called Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) is nearing approval at the climate conference in Copenhagen. The deal compensates countries for preserving their forests, placing a value on the service of forests and other open lands in absorbing carbon dioxide, the key warming gas. Most points of contention in the agreement on REDD have been worked out, and an announcement is expected late this week.

This development will likely mean a huge boost for the use of GIS for forest assessment and monitoring, and it’s good news for resource managers around the world.

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