ОФ «САМР Алатоо» поделился опытом применения ГИС-методики для определения участков под посадку лесов

CAMP Alatoo PF Shared Experience in Applying GIS Methodology to Identify Afforestation Sites

Representatives of the Forest Service under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic and the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic have completed training on a methodology for identifying sites most suitable for reforestation and afforestation.

This methodology was developed by the CAMP Alatoo PF within the framework of the project "Identification of Suitable Sites for Reforestetion, Afforestation, and Forest Restoration on the Territory of the State Forest Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic." Currently, the Foundation is implementing the second phase of this initiative with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

According to Zhyrgalbek Kozhomberdiev, the project coordinator, the methodology has already been successfully tested in 15 forestry enterprises (leskhozes) across the country, and another 26 forestry enterprises are currently continuing this work.

"The core idea of the methodology is to accurately determine the optimal altitudinal belt and slope steepness for each specific forest type. This approach guarantees a high survival rate of seedlings and will help effectively implement the 'Zhashyl Muras' (Green Heritage) National Program aimed at expanding forest and green areas," Zhyrgalbek Kozhomberdiev emphasized.

Training participants received detailed information on all stages of the methodology's development. It is based on forest plot data and soil maps provided by the Forest Service of the Kyrgyz Republic and the P.A. Gan Forest Research and Development Center.

Using these materials, the project team conducted a large-scale GIS analysis. Experts established clear criteria for selecting sites for future plantings. The resulting digital maps were then verified in the field, with specialists visiting the forestry enterprises to ensure that the virtual calculations matched the actual conditions on the ground.

The practical session on working with the QGIS geographic information system — a free software that allows transforming complex satellite data into easy-to-understand map diagrams — generated particular interest.

Kanykei Ukubaeva, GIS Specialist at CAMP Alatoo PF, clearly demonstrated to the participants how to use QGIS to collect data on altitude and slope steepness using open-source satellite resources. Instead of complex coding, the software allows "layering" different data types on top of each other like a cake: a relief layer, a soil layer, and a moisture layer.

Participants were able to reinforce the theory using the example of the Karakol forestry enterprise. Supported by the trainers, they independently worked in the program to (1)analyze soil types and conditions; (2) study satellite-derived vegetation indices (an indicator of how healthy the grass and shrubs are in the area) and moisture levels; (3)consolidate all the data in QGIS and create a ready-to-use interactive recommendation map for the Karakol forestry enterprise, which clearly shows exactly where trees will thrive best and where planting would be impractical.

The training concluded with participants gaining a clear understanding of how digital technologies and GIS tools can significantly increase the efficiency of forest restoration. Specialists from the Forest Service and the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in their daily practice, making forest planting planning more accurate and economically viable.