Using new Earth observation and computational approaches to map dry forests and their carbon dynamics across the tropics

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Background and Motivation: Earth observation approaches that aim to map the distribution and carbon storage of forests are generally successful for tropical moist forests, but have been less so for tropical dry forests. Tropical dry forests are shorter in stature and may not have a closed canopy, and are thus frequently confused with wooded savannas in remotely sensed imagery and products (Beuchle et al. 2015). Yet, knowing the distribution and relative extent of tropical dry forests versus savannas is imperative to understanding the carbon cycle of the dry tropics and to develop appropriate management strategies for tropical vegetation (Dexter et al. 2018). Tropical dry forests store more above-ground carbon than savannas, while fire is damaging to tropical dry forests and their carbon storage ability. In contrast, fire is necessary to the ecosystem function and biodiversity of savannas. This project will improve ecosystem management in the dry tropics and quantify the role of the dry tropics in global carbon cycles.