Nicosia: Cyprus has successfully acquired its first comprehensive inventory of biomass and carbon stored by trees across the nation. Developed by researchers at The Cyprus Institute, this groundbreaking study provides a detailed tree-level inventory of biomass and carbon stocks, creating a novel tool for forest monitoring and climate adaptation support.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the inventory was developed using a new artificial intelligence-based methodology, enhanced by field measurements collected by the Cyprus Department of Forests. This innovative approach allows for systematic and repeatable monitoring of changes in tree biomass and carbon stocks over time, offering valuable scientific evidence to bolster forest management, post-fire restoration, and climate adaptation efforts.
Anna Zenonos, Graduate Research Fellow at the Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre (CARE-C) of The Cyprus Institute and the study's lead author, emphasized the significance of this new capability. "For the first time, we can monitor Cyprus's trees with a level of detail that was not previously possible," she stated. Zenonos highlighted the increasing pressures from drought and wildfires in the Eastern Mediterranean region, underscoring the importance of reliable data for understanding changes in ecosystems and planning protective measures.
The press release from The Cyprus Institute further elaborates that trees play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and storing carbon in their biomass. They also offer essential ecosystem services such as cooling urban areas, improving air quality, and supporting biodiversity.
The study revealed that nearly one-third of Cyprus's tree cover is located outside traditional forest areas. An example cited is Athalassa National Forest Park in Aglantzia, where the inventory detected a high density of large trees in an urban setting, underscoring the value of urban green spaces.
The inventory also highlights that gains in forest carbon storage over the past seven years have been counteracted by recurrent wildfires and drought-related tree mortality. Since 2014, over 360,000 trees have been impacted by wildfires, leading to losses exceeding 300,000 tonnes of biomass and 140,000 tonnes of stored carbon. The new inventory's advanced capabilities were pivotal in accurately quantifying these losses, particularly those related to smaller and isolated wildfires.
Beyond its scientific contributions, the inventory equips Cyprus with a robust framework for systematically monitoring its forest and tree resources. It establishes a stronger scientific foundation for assessing wildfire and drought impacts, evaluating restoration efforts, and supporting evidence-based forest management and climate adaptation strategies, as concluded by The Cyprus Institute.