Research Consortium for Belizean Studies

A Model Biodiversity Monitoring Protocol for REDD Projects

Jeff Waldon, Forest Carbon Offsets LLC
Bruce W. Miller
Carolyn M. Miller

Abstract

Emerging international standards for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) projects require a demonstrated biodiversity benefit and a biodiversity monitoring protocol. Guidance for an acceptable protocol is proposed specifically for tropical forests, focusing on technologies that are widely available, rigorous, and aimed at important indicator taxa for forest function. Two techniques, camera trapping for large and mesoscale mammals and acoustic monitoring for bats, are proposed as current technologies that meet the criteria for a model biodiversity monitoring protocol for REDD projects.