Mapping South Sudan’s Forests with Earth Observation
The GDA Forest Management activity is using satellite Earth Observation to give South Sudan its first reliable forest data, guiding community forest management and World Bank programme planning.
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Description
The ESA GDA Forest Management activity is supporting the World Bank’s Natural Resources & Livelihoods Project in South Sudan by providing the country’s first detailed, science‑based forest information. Using Copernicus satellite data, the consortium led by GAF Geospatial GmbH has mapped where tree cover exists, its condition, and how it has changed from 2018–2024, focusing on the Imatong mountain range and surrounding cross‑border areas. These products help identify priority zones for community forest management by showing intact forests, areas under pressure, and places where livelihoods and biodiversity are most closely linked.
South Sudan’s forests cover about 30% of the country and hold exceptionally high biodiversity, yet almost no reliable forest data exists due to years of conflict. The new EO products delivered by GAF as part of the GDA Forest Management consortium – tree cover, tree cover density, and disturbance monitoring – give the World Bank and national counterparts a first clear picture of forest resources and threats, supporting conservation planning, sustainable forest‑based livelihoods, and future programme design.
Alongside the technical work, the GDA team has focused on building national capacity to use EO data. With both phases complete, a final feedback session will guide validation and next steps, helping embed EO into long‑term forest management and development planning across the country.
You can read more about this case study here: Earth Observation Brings South Sudan’s Forests into View