In Brief

  • Challenge: SDG 13 Challenge
  • Challenge Type: SFI Future Innovator Prize
  • Status: Active

The Challenge

Vietnam’s extensive mangrove forests (138,318 hectares), with a carbon sequestration rate of around ten times that of terrestrial forests, should be helping to battle climate change for the country. In addition, mangrove forests provide additional ecosystem services such as nursery and breeding grounds for a myriad of species, water filtration, sediment trapping, and coastal protection for the eight million Vietnamese citizens living along the coastline. However, 38% of mangroves have been lost in recent decades, and more data is needed to track mangrove changes and implement restoration. 

The Solution

We propose to develop AI models that fuse satellite and drone imagery to accurately map the mangrove extent in Vietnam at a high resolution. We will develop AI models to assess the carbon storage capacity of mangrove forests, which could be used in Vietnam’s Nationally Determined Contribution. The team will also implement a mangrove monitoring system to provide real-time information on the mangrove forests’ health and help plan restoration. The research will help protect and expand the mangrove forests, capture carbon dioxide, and provide the Vietnam coastline and its residents with better protection from landslides and extreme weather.  

UN SDG Alignment 

13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. 

13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. 

The Team

  • Team Lead: Dr Quan Le, University College Dublin
  • Partner Country Team Lead: Dr Quan-Quoc Vo, Can Tho University (CTU)
  • Team Co-Lead: Dr Anh-Vu Vo, University College Dublin

Societal Impact Champion

  • Dr Thuy Nguyen-Thi-Bich, The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD), SNV