Grounding EUDR Forest Geolocation inside FSC Chain of Custody
EUDR compliance requires paper packaging to carry verified forest polygon coordinates through segregated chain of custody, eliminating mass balance credits.
Canopy Cover Baseline
Reference Canopy
Satellite imagery and aerial survey datasets establish the historical tree crown density existing across a designated forest area at a specified reference date. This geospatial metric functions as a canopy cover baseline against which subsequent land clearing or tree crown loss is evaluated during timber origin verification. Sourced wood fiber must originate from land where the crown closure met designated forestry standards without undergoing conversion to agricultural use after the reference point.
Verification Mechanism
Optical sensors on Earth observation satellites capture multispectral reflectivity to calculate vegetation indices across forest plots. When mill procurement teams trace pulpwood supply chains to specific forest management units, high-resolution imagery compares current foliage density with historical satellite observations. Software algorithms process pixel values to distinguish seasonal leaf loss from permanent forest clearing.
A canopy cover baseline requires clear spatial coordinates and atmospheric correction of historical satellite imagery to prevent false degradation readings caused by cloud shadow or seasonal droughts. Synthetic aperture radar provides additional structural data by penetrating cloud cover in tropical regions where optical imagery remains frequently obscured during rainy seasons.
Compliance Limit
Forest land classification depends on statutory definitions where crown cover thresholds usually range between ten percent and thirty percent. When satellite verification detects a reduction below the required density, the target plot loses its compliant status under international deforestation regulations. Wood fiber harvested from land converted after the statutory cutoff date remains excluded from certified supply chains.