Carbon Sequestration

I created the map below on Google Earth Engine. It showcases the Gross Primary Production (GPP) and Aboveground Carbon Density (ACD) across the Galapagos Islands, providing crucial insights into the ecosystem's productivity and carbon storage capabilities.

Gross Primary Production (GPP): GPP represents the total amount of carbon dioxide that plants capture from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. This measure is fundamental to understanding an ecosystem’s productivity and its capacity for carbon sequestration. By mapping GPP, we can illustrate carbon sequestration globally and identify areas with high productivity. The mean GPP for the Galapagos Islands is 0.3974923086678371, indicating a moderate rate of carbon capture through photosynthesis across the archipelago.

Aboveground Carbon Density (ACD): ACD quantifies the amount of carbon stored aboveground in biomass. This measure is crucial for understanding the existing carbon storage in a specific area. High ACD values indicate regions that are vital to protect, as their destruction would result in significant carbon emissions. The mean ACD for the Galapagos Islands is 5.304858948002961, reflecting a substantial amount of carbon stored in the islands' biomass.

Forest Cover (FC): FC refers to the extent, type, and condition of tree cover in an area, encompassing information about the density and health of the vegetation. It helps determine the state of the forest and its potential for future carbon sequestration. For the Galapagos, the forest cover index stands at 15.218744726.

Carbon Sequestration Potential Index (CSPI): The CSPI is an index used to evaluate and compare the potential of different forest areas to sequester carbon. By integrating data on GPP, ACD, and FC, the CSPI provides a comprehensive view of areas that can be managed for maximum carbon sequestration. It ranks and compares different regions, assisting in making informed decisions about where to focus restoration and conservation efforts. The CSPI for the Galapagos Islands is 0.06352647114831579, indicating a moderate potential for carbon sequestration compared to other regions.

To create the map, I imported a custom GeoJSON geodata file that outlined the main islands of the Galapagos into Google Earth Engine. By downloading the GeoTIFF of the corresponding coordinates and overlaying them in Google Earth Engine, I developed the layers for GPP and ACD. This process enabled the detailed analysis and visualization of carbon dynamics across the Galapagos Islands.

Surprisingly, the Galapagos Islands did not rank especially high in all the measured values, with both Gross Primary Production (GPP) and Aboveground Carbon Density (ACD) being relatively low despite the islands' status as an important conservation area. This can be attributed to the islands' geography, as the satellite image reveals four large volcanoes with limited vegetation density, which may explain the decreased production. Despite these moderate values, the Galapagos remain a critical conservation site due to their unique biodiversity and ecological significance, providing essential habitats for many endemic species and offering insights into evolutionary processes.