Monit Rep 1328 27aug2010 To 27jul2014 PDF

MONITORING REPORT: VCS Version 3
ARAKU VALLEY LIVELIHOOD PROJECT

MONITORING REPORT
Document Prepared by Naandi Foundation & UNIQUE forestry and land use
Project Title Araku Valley Livelihood Project
Version 3
Report ID --
Date of Issue 23-10-2014
Project ID PL1328
Monitoring Period 27-08-2010 to 27-07-2014
Prepared By Naandi Foundation & Livelihoods Fund
Contact Naandi Foundation, Rd No 2 - Banjara Hills, 502 Trendset Towers, Hyderabad –

34, Andhra Pradesh, India,
Represented by: David Hogg (mail: david.naandi.org), Email: www.naandi.org
Phone: +91 40 2355 6491/2
v3.3 1
Table of Content
1 Project Details ..................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Summary Description of the Implementation Status of the Project .............................................. 4
1.2 Sectoral Scope and Project Type.................................................................................................. 5
1.3 Project Proponent ......................................................................................................................... 5
1.4 Other Entities Involved in the Project ............................................................................................ 5
1.5 Project Start Date .......................................................................................................................... 6
1.6 Project Crediting Period ................................................................................................................ 6
1.7 Project Location ............................................................................................................................ 6
1.8 Title and Reference of Methodology ............................................................................................. 7
1.9 Other Programs ............................................................................................................................. 8
2 Implementation Status ......................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Implementation Status of the Project Activity................................................................................ 8
2.2 Deviations ...................................................................................................................................... 8
2.2.1 Methodology Deviations ........................................................................................................ 8
2.2.2 Project Description Deviations .............................................................................................. 8
2.3 Grouped Project ............................................................................................................................ 9
3 Monitoring ............................................................................................................................................ 9
3.1 Data and Parameters Available at Validation ............................................................................... 9
3.2 Data and Parameters Monitored ................................................................................................. 16
3.3 Monitoring Plan ........................................................................................................................... 24
3.3.1 Organizational structure ...................................................................................................... 24
3.3.2 Establishment of project auditing procedures ..................................................................... 26
3.3.3 Monitoring plan .................................................................................................................... 26
3.3.4 Sampling design, sampling size and random sample point selection ................................. 29
3.3.5 Data collection, recording and analysis .............................................................................. 31
3.3.6 Araku sample point layout ................................................................................................... 32
3.3.7 Parameters collected and measured in the field ................................................................. 34
3.3.8 Procedures to avoid/ minimize systematic errors: .............................................................. 34
3.3.9 Procedures for internal auditing and QA/QC ...................................................................... 36
3.3.10 Procedures to ensure reliable field measurements ............................................................. 36
3.3.11 Procedures to verify field data collection ............................................................................ 37
3.3.12 Data maintenance and storage ........................................................................................... 37
4 Quantification of GHG Emission Reductions and Removals ............................................................ 38
4.1 Baseline Emissions ..................................................................................................................... 38
4.2 Project Emissions ........................................................................................................................ 38
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4.2.1 Estimation of carbon stock changes in trees and shrubs ................................................... 39
4.2.2 Long term average for trees harvested ............................................................................... 39
4.2.3 Estimation of changes in soil organic carbon stocks .......................................................... 45
4.2.4 Actual net greenhouse gas removals by sinks .................................................................... 46
4.3 Leakage....................................................................................................................................... 46
4.4 Net GHG Emission Reductions and Removals ........................................................................... 47
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1 PROJECT DETAILS
1.1 Summary Description of the Implementation Status of the Project
The overall goal of this grouped project is to improve the livelihood of small and marginalized
tribal communities in the Araku Valley of Visakhapatnam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in
India. The project will turn a low carbon landscape into a high carbon multiple use landscape
improving food security and generating additional income for the community. The project area
planned for the first instance cover 333 villages in 5 different Mandals with an average of 16
planting sites per village. The horticulture systems will be established on 5,442 discrete areas of
non-forested land.
These first instance project activities have a 6-year project roll out period. Nine different species
groups are distinguished mainly based on similar growth characteristics (similar biomass
accumulation rates) and planting densities. All groups will be planted on the 6,002 ha. Coffee and
indigenous shade trees will be introduced after 3 years on 1,000 ha, and also 1,000 ha of
Moringa shrubs plus indigenous shade trees. The different species groups of the proposed ARR
project activity comprise, among others, Mango, Guava, Custard apple, Orange, Lemon, and
other local fruit trees. In addition Teak, Bamboo and various indigenous trees will be introduced.
After a tree establishment phase, coffee and Moringa will be planted under shade. The planting
area is located on degraded land with very low plant cover. The table below summarizes the
plantation status of the project in the first instance, and the roll-out of remaining planting
campaigns. For a detailed description of tree species planted within the mixed tree groups,
please refer to the PD.
Moringa shrub group

Mixed shrub species
Moringa shade tree

Coffee shrub group
Coffee shade tree

species Group 1:
species Group 2:
Mixed fruit tree
Mixed fruit tree
Group 3:
Bamboo
Mango
Teak
Planting campaigns
on total 6002 ha
Planting density 119 79 30 44 64 30 1,000 124 49 74
2010 – 638 ha X X X X X X
2011 – 1,685 ha X X X X X X
2012 – 3,677 ha X X X X X X
2013 – 300 ha X X
2014 – 300/ 400 ha X X
2015 – 700 ha X X X X
The total GHG emission reductions or removals generated in this monitoring period 27-08-2010
to 27-07-2014 are estimated with 42,834 t CO2e.
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1.2 Sectoral Scope and Project Type
The activity implemented by the project corresponds to the VCS scope 14: “Agriculture, Forestry
and Other Land Use” as Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) AFOLU project
category. The project is a grouped project
1.3 Project Proponent

Organization name Livelihoods Fund
Contact person Mr. Jean-Pierre Rennaud
Title General manager
Address 15 rue de Helder; 75009; Paris; France
Telephone +33 1 44 35 20 84
Email jprennaud@livelihoods-venture.com
1.4 Other Entities Involved in the Project

Organization name Naandi Foundation
Role in the project Project development and implementation
Contact person David Hogg
Title Vice-President – Livelihoods Naandi Foundation
Address Naandi Foundation; Rd No 2 - Banjara Hills 502 Trendset

Towers; Hyderabad – 34; Andhra Pradesh; India
Telephone +91 40 2355 6491/2
Email david.naandi.org
Organization name UNIQUE forestry and land use GmbH
Role in the project Carbon project development support
Contact person Matthias Seebauer
Title AFOLU carbon project development expert
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Address UNIQUE forestry and land use GmbH
Schnewlinstraße 10
79098 Freiburg,
Germany
Telephone +49 7612085340
Email Matthias.seebauer@unique-landuse.de
1.5 Project Start Date
Starting date of the project activity: 27-08-2010
1.6 Project Crediting Period
Project crediting period: 27-08-2010 – 26-08-30
Total numbers of years: 20 years
1.7 Project Location
The project consists of more than on discrete area of land within a project region named Araku
Valley. Eight Mandals (districts) of the region have been identified as possible areas to be part of
the grouped project, located between 82°18'10.44"- 83°16'30.00"E long. and 18°33'26.64"N -
17°45'34.56"N lat. The plantation areas of the first activity instances are located between
82°51′40″–83°06′53″E long. and 18°12′34″–18°25′12″N lat., Vishakhapatnam District, Andhra
Pradesh, at an altitude ranging from 800 to 1500 m. Araku is the nearest town. It is located 90 km
from Vishakhapatnam (nearest airport); in the Eastern Ghats close to the Orissa state border.
The precise location is 18.3333°N 82.8667°E.
Figure 1 Location of the grouped project with the first project activity instances (in red)
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Totally the first activity instances encompass 5,442 parcels of lands in 333 villages with sizes
ranging from 0.4 to 15 ha of plantation plots. The average size is 1.1 ha and on average, 16
plantation parcels per village. It involves more than 9,700 farmers on 6,002 hectares of land. The
details of each parcel of land – unique geographical identification, the farmer‘s names are
enclosed in the supporting documentation where the location of the planting sites in each village
is shown on Google Earth image (kml file, shape file and project inventory Excel database). The
geographic locations and boundaries of each discrete project parcel is determined using a GPS
and are identified with a unique number and geographic coordinate.
The table below shows the total areas of plantation parcels in the three strata identified for this
monitoring period according to the year of planting.
Stratum Total Area (ha) No of planting Average Average trees

plots plantation area planted per ha
(ha)
2010 634 520 1.2 380
2011 1741 1375 1.2 379
2012 3627 3547 1.0 377
Total 6002 5442 1.1 377
1.8 Title and Reference of Methodology
AR-ACM0003: Afforestation and reforestation of lands except wetlands (Version 2.0) 1
ARR methodological tools:
 “Combined tool to identify the baseline scenario and demonstrate additionality in ARR CDM
project activities” (Version 01)
 “Estimation of carbon stocks and change in carbon stocks of trees and shrubs in ARR CDM
project activities” (Version 04.1)
 “Estimation of carbon stocks and change in carbon stocks in dead wood and litter in ARR
CDM project activities” (Version 03.0)
 “Tool for estimation of change in soil organic carbon stocks due to the implementation of
ARR CDM project activities” (Version 01.1.0)
 “Estimation of non-CO2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from burning of biomass
attributable to an ARR CDM project activity” (Version 04.0.0)
 “Estimation of the increase in GHG emissions attributable to displacement of pre-project

agricultural activities in ARR CDM project activity” (Version 02.0)
1 http://cdm.unfccc.int/methodologies/DB/C9QS5G3CS8FW04MYYXDFOQDPXWM4OE
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The Methodology and tools can be accessed at:
http://cdm.unfccc.int/methodologies/DB/C9QS5G3CS8FW04MYYXDFOQDPXWM4OE
Other methodological ARR CDM tools which are applied include,
 “Demonstrating appropriateness of volume equations for estimation of aboveground tree

biomass in ARR CDM project activities” (Version 1.0.1)
 Demonstrating appropriateness of allometric equations for estimation of aboveground tree

biomass in ARR CDM project activities (Version 01.0.0)
 Calculation of the number of sample plots for measurements within ARR CDM project
activities (Version 2.1.0)
1.9 Other Programs
This project started validation process under A/R CDM and is listed as ‘unvalidated’ project on the
UNFCCC website2 since the validation was not completed. The project proponent decided to
switch from the CDM process to the validation and verification process under the VCS.
2 IMPLEMENTATION STATUS
2.1 Implementation Status of the Project Activity
The grouped project has started the implementation of the first project activity instance in 2010.
As shown in Table 1 above the total 6,002 ha have been planted with the different horticultural
tree groups which are subject to this monitoring period. Only coffee and moringa including
indigenous shade trees will be integrated during the subsequent monitoring period within selected
planting plots of these already established horticultural plantations. The project is implemented in
accordance with the PD. The Project Description (PD) was written after the project had been in
operation in the project areas for several years. As such, the PD was written reflecting the way
the project is implemented. In addition, this monitoring report is written along with the PD, and the
Non-Permanence Risk Report assuring congruence between the different documents provided.
As discussed more thoroughly in Section 3.4, no further leakage monitoring is required.
2.2 Deviations
2.2.1 Methodology Deviations

There are no deviations from the Methodology.
2.2.2 Project Description Deviations

Project description deviations have not occurred in this first verification period.
2 http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/Validation/DB/U8PML4HH2RJCPDAV27DZRYOS6GKEB4/view.html
v3.3 8
2.3 Grouped Project
This project is a grouped project. Only the project areas of the first activity instances as
summarized in table above (section 1.7) are subject to verification of this first monitoring period.
3 MONITORING
3.1 Data and Parameters Available at Validation
Data and parameters that are available at:
Data / Parameter CFs
Data unit t C(t.d.m.)-1
Description Carbon fraction of shrub biomass

Source of data Default value
Value applied: 0.47
Justification of choice of Recommended default value according to the AR-TOOL 14
data or description of
measurement methods
and procedures applied
Purpose of data Calculation of project emissions
Comments N/A
Data / Parameter CFTREE

Data unit t C (t d.m.)-1
Description Carbon fraction of tree biomass
Source of data AR-TOOL14
Value applied: 0.47
Justification of choice of Default value of AR-TOOL14 is used unless transparent and
data or description of verifiable information can be provided to justify a different value.
measurement methods
Purpose of Data Calculation of ex-ante and ex-post project emissions/removals
Comments -
Data / Parameter Rj
Data unit dimensionless
v3.3 9
Description Root-shoot ratio for tree species j
Source of data AR-TOOL14 and Inventory data
Value applied: See Excel database “Araku carbon inventory”
Justification of choice of According to AR-TOOL14, root-shoot ratio for tree species shall be
data or description of calculated with the followed formula:
measurement methods Rj=exp[-1.085+0.9256*ln(AGB)]/AGB
Purpose of Data Calculation project emissions/removals
Comments -
Data / Parameter RSHRUBS
Description Root-shoot ratio for shrubs

Value applied: 0.40
measurement methods
Comments N/A
Data / Parameter BDRSF
Data unit Dimensionless
Description Ration of shrub biomass per hectare in land having a shrub crown
cover of 1,0 and the default above-ground biomass content per
hectare in forest in the region where the A/R CDM project activity
is located
Value applied: 0.1
measurement methods
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Comments N/A
Data / Parameter bFOREST
Data unit t d.m. ha-1
Description Default above-ground biomass content in forest in the region

where the A/R CDM project activity is located.
Value applied: 113.8
Justification of choice of N/A
measurement methods
Comments N/A
Data / Parameter SOCREF,i
Data unit tCha-1
Description Reference SOC stock corresponding to the reference condition in

native lands
Value applied: 47
Justification of choice of According to the applied tool “Tool for estimation of change in soil
data or description of organic carbon stocks due to the implementation of A/R CDM
measurement methods project activities” a default value of 47 for tropical moist climate
and procedures applied regions and soils with low activity clay (LAC).
Comments N/A
Data / Parameter fLU,i
Data unit dimensionless1
Description Relative stock change factor for baseline land-use in stratum I of

the areas of land.
v3.3 11
Value applied: 0.48
Justification of choice of Table 4 of the applied tool “Tool for estimation of change in soil
measurement methods project activities” gives 0.48 as a relative stock change factor for
and procedures applied long term cultivation in a tropical moist region.
Comments N/A
Data / Parameter fMG,i
Description Relative stock change factor for baseline management regime in

stratum I of the areas of land
Value applied: 1
Justification of choice of Table 6 of the applied tool “Tool for estimation of change in soil
measurement methods project activities” gives a default value of 1 for medium inputs
Comments N/A
Data / Parameter fIN,i
Description Relative stock change factor for baseline input regime (e.g. crop
residue returns, manure) in stratum I of the areas of land.
Value applied: 1
measurement methods
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Comments N/A
Data / Parameter E
Data unit t d.m. (or t d.m. ha-1)
Description Acceptable margin of error (i.e. one-half the confidence interval) in
estimation of biomass stock within the project boundary
Value applied: 10% of the mean value of biomass stock
measurement methods
Purpose of Data Calculation of ex-post project emissions
Comments -
Data / Parameter tval

Description Two-sided Student’s t-value at infinite degrees of freedom for the
required confidence level

Value applied: Student’s t-distribution table. 1.645 for confidence level 90% and
infinite degrees of freedom

measurement methods
Purpose of Data Calculation of project emissions
Comments -
Data / Parameter EFCH4,i

Data unit g CH4 (kg dry matter burnt)-1
Description Emission factor for CH4 in stratum i
Source of data CDM A/R Methodological Tool “Estimation of non-CO2 GHG

emissions resulting from burning of biomass attributable to an A/R
v3.3 13
CDM project activity” (Version 04.0.0)
Value applied: 6.8
Justification of choice of Default emission factor for tropical forest from the CDM A/R tool. If
data or description of transparent and verifiable information can be provided, the
measurement methods different values may be selected from the following sources, in
and procedures applied order of preference;
a. Regional/national inventories e.g. national forest inventory,
national GHG inventory;
b. Inventory from neighbouring countries with similar conditions;
c. Globally available data applicable to the project site or to the
region/country where the site is located;

Comments This value does not apply as there is no burning in this first
instance project.
Data / Parameter EFN2O,i

Data unit g N2O (kg dry matter burnt)-1
Description Emission factor for N2O in stratum i

Value applied: 0.2
data or description of transparent and verifiable information can be provided, then
d. Regional/national inventories e.g. national forest inventory,
national GHG inventory;
e. Inventory from neighbouring countries with similar conditions;
f. Globally available data applicable to the project site or to the
region/country where the site is located;

instance project.
Data / Parameter GWPCH4

Description Global warming potential for CH4
v3.3 14
Value applied: 21
Justification of choice of Default value

measurement methods
instance project.
Data / Parameter GWPN2O

Description Global warming potential for N2O

Value applied: 310
Justification of choice of Default value

measurement methods
instance project.
Data / Parameter COMFi

Description Combustion factor for stratum i

Value applied: Default value depending on the age, unless transparent and
verifiable information can be provided to justify a different value:
Mean age (years) Default value
3-5 0.46
v3.3 15
6-10 0.67
11-17 0.50
18 and above 0.32
data or description of transparent and verifiable information can be provided, then
g. Project-specific calculation, regional/national inventories e.g.
national forest inventory, national GHG inventory;
h. Inventory from neighbouring countries with similar conditions;
i. Globally available data applicable to the project site or to the
region/country where the site is located

instance project.
3.2 Data and Parameters Monitored

Data and parameters that are monitored:
Data / Parameter Ai ASHRUB

and
Data unit Ha
Description Area of tree biomass stratum i

Source of data GIS and GPS
Description of Areas in project area will be tracked in the field using the GPS.
measurement methods Each plot which will be subject to planting is tracked a standard
and procedures to be procedure of the baseline and monitoring inventory
applied
Frequency of Before the start of the project (planting), also for all possible new
monitoring/recording areas, and adjusted thereafter every three years since the year of
the initial verification
Value applied: Stratum Area
1 634
2 1741
3 3627
Monitoring equipment GPS and GIS software
QA/QC procedures to be Field-team members are fully aware of all procedures and the
applied importance of collecting data as accurately as possible; all field
team members are trained in GPS/GIS application
v3.3 16
Purpose of data Calculation of project emissions/removals
Calculation method GIS tool

Comments -
Data / Parameter Ap ,i
Data unit Ha
Description Size of a sample plot in stratum i i
Source of data Field measurement
Description of After calculating the No of sample plots required to achieve the

measurement methods desired precision level (90/10) a stratified random selection is
carried out. The sample unit (plot) is the full area of a selected
and procedures to be planting parcel which will be tracked using the GPS.
applied
Frequency of Every three years since the year of the initial verification
monitoring/recording
Value applied: 0.041 (11m radius)
Monitoring equipment N/A
QA/QC procedures to be Field-team members are fully aware of all procedures and the
applied importance of collecting data as accurately as possible; all field
team members are trained in GPS/GIS application
Calculation method APLOT,i will be calculated depending on the expected density

(trees/ha) in each stratum, with the objective of having around 15
trees per sample plot.
Comments -
Data / Parameter ABURN,i,t

Data unit ha
Description Area burnt in stratum i
Source of data N/A
Description of As indicated in the CDM tool “Estimation of non-CO2 GHG

v3.3 17
measurement methods CDM project activity. (Version 04.0.0)”, for the first verification,
and procedures to be emission of non-CO2 GHGs resulting from the loss of trees due to
applied natural or anthropogenic forest fire is assumed to be zero
Frequency of N/A
Value monitored 0
QA/QC procedures to be N/A
applied
Purpose of data N/A
Calculation method N/A
Comments -
Data / Parameter DBH
Data unit cm
Description The diameter at breast height (1.3 m from the ground)
Source of data Field measurements in sample plots. For ex ante estimations,

DBH values are estimated using a published scientific literature
and field observations
Description of The circumference of the tree at 1.3 m will be measured in the
measurement methods field for each tree species present on the planting plot selected as
sample plot during the monitoring. The DBH will then be
and procedures to be calculated after entering the field data into the Excel database
applied
Value applied: See Excel file “Araku Carbon Inventory Database”
Monitoring equipment Caliper
QA/QC procedures to be To verify that plots have been installed and the measurements
applied taken correctly, it is good practice to re-measure independently
every 10 plots and to compare the measurements. The following
quality target should be achieved for the re-measurements,
compared to the original measurements:
DBH of tree measurements  < ± 0.5 cm or 3 % whichever is
greater
At the end of the field work independently 10-20% of the plots will
be checked. Field data collected at this stage will be compared
with the original data. Any errors found will be corrected and
recorded.
v3.3 18
Comments -
Data / Parameter wi
Description Relative weight of the area of stratum I, the area of the stratum i
divided by the project area.
Source of data Calculated
Description of N/A
measurement methods
and procedures to be
applied
Frequency of Calculated for each monitoring event, at least every five years
Value applied: The following values are estimated for the first project instance:
Stratum wi
1 0.11
2 0.29
3 0.60
applied
Calculation method Area of the stratum i divided by the project area
Comments -
Data / Parameter si
Data unit t d.m. (or t d.m. ha-1)
Description Estimated standard deviation of biomass stock in stratum i
Source of data Pre-sampling or default value
v3.3 19
Description of N/A
measurement methods
applied
Frequency of si is calculated for each monitoring event, at least every five years
Stratum si
1 0.006
2 0.001
3 0.001
applied
Calculation method Excel or tool available to calculate standard deviation
Comments -
Data / Parameter ni
Description Number of sample plots in stratum i
Source of data Calculated
Description of N/A
measurement methods
applied
Frequency of ni is calculated for each monitoring event, at least every five years
Stratum si
1 108
2 71
3 91
applied
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Calculation method The calculation method is described in the tool “Calculation of the
number of sample plots for measurements within A/R CDM project
activities” (version 02.1.0)3
Comments -
Data / Parameter D10

Data unit cm (centimeter precision)
Description Tree crown diameter (higher value)
Source of data Measured
Description of Measurement of the variable in all trees inside the sample plot
measurement methods using tape.
applied
Frequency of Every three years since the year of the initial verification until the
monitoring/recording threes have enough height to collect DBH
Value monitored See Excel file “Araku Carbon Inventory Database”

Monitoring equipment Tape
DBH of tree measurements  < ± 0.5 cm or 3 % whichever is
greater
recorded.
Comments -
Data / Parameter H
Data unit m
Description Height of tree planted
Source of data Field measurements in sample plots. For ex ante estimations, H

values are derived from scientific literature
3
Annex 15 of the Executive Board report at its 58th meeting.
v3.3 21
Description of Height of the tree is measured using a 5m bamboo stick as
measurement methods reference
applied
Value applied: See Excel “Araku Carbon Inventory Database”
Monitoring equipment -
Height measurements  < ± 10/ and -20%
recorded.
Comments -
Data / Parameter CCSHRUB
Description Crown cover of shrubs planted in the project in project stratum i at

a given point of time in year t
Source of data Field estimation
Description of Ocular estimation of shrub crown cover for each shrub group
measurement methods (mixed shrub group 3 and coffee) within the permanent sample
plots
applied
Value applied: See Excel “Araku Carbon Inventory Database”
Monitoring equipment Estimated using measurement tape, two measurement in 90°
QA/QC procedures to be During a testing phase (first project monitoring procedure) training
v3.3 22
applied will be provided in combination with some pilot measurements of
crown cover (transect method, relascope method) to standardize
the ocular estimation among the surveying team.
Purpose of data Calculation of the project emissions
Calculation method Ocular estimation

Comments When land is subjected to periodic cycles and no transparent and
verifiable information can be provided, 0.5 is used.
Data / Parameter T
Data unit Year
Description Time period elapsed between two successive estimations of

carbon stock in a carbon pool
Source of data Recorded time
Description of N/A
measurement methods
applied
Frequency of N/A
Value applied: 4 years

applied

Comments If the two successive estimations of carbon stock in a carbon pool
are carried out at different points of time in year t2 and t1, (e.g. in
the month of April in year t1 and in the month of September in year
t2), then a fractional value will be assigned to T
Data / Parameter BEF2,j
Description Biomass expansion factor for conversion of stem biomass to

abov-ground biomass for tree species
v3.3 23
Source of data Value from Kaul et al. 2008; average value for open forests in
Andhra Pradesh (table 4, page 4)
Description of N/A
measurement methods
applied
Frequency of N/A
Value applied: 2.55

applied
Purpose of data Estimation of the project emission removals

Comments -
3.3 Monitoring Plan

3.3.1 Organizational structure
Institutionally, a permanent Naandi Carbon Survey Team has been set up consisting of 12 village
and cluster coordinators under the supervision of the horticultural project coordinator. This team
will undertake all carbon project monitoring surveys in the project to ensure consistency in
measurements.
The main unit for the project monitoring is the Naandi Carbon Survey Team which is set up to
concentrate all survey efforts during the project implementation on a small group of skilled
personnel. This Survey Team is formed and supervised by the horticultural coordinator of this
project. It implements the baseline survey, the boundary demarcation survey as well as the
implementation of the monitoring as described in the monitoring documents. A specialist assigned
by the program manager will periodically verify the monitoring including actual physical checks in
the field, documentation checks, and verification of all quality control/ quality assurance
procedures as described above. In addition to that, an external audit monitors at least 10% of the
project area during all planting phases of the project (annually).
v3.3 24
Figure 2 Project monitoring structure
Any activity data and monitoring and measuring data will be reported to and archived in the
Naandi office at Araku town in both electronic and paper copy. The Naandi Carbon Survey Team
of qualified personnel were recruited and trained for the purpose of GPS measurement and
biomass calculations. The team consists of 12 people named as ‘Surveyors’.
Each surveyor is given approximately 10 villages to conduct the tracking & baseline/ monitoring
surveys. Initially, the Horticulture Coordinator (HC) or the Araku Livelihoods Coordinator (ALC)
will accompany the surveyor to monitor and assist with the implementation of the process.
The surveyed information is transferred at the office and the survey results are submitted to the
person in charge at the office. He verifies the data in the presence of the surveyors and compiles
this information with the help of data entry operators.
The data is verified again by the Documentation Coordinator, who seeks corrections from the field
if necessary.
All data are finally authorized by the ALCs and the HC
v3.3 25
3.3.2 Establishment of project auditing procedures
The establishment and management of the horticultural trees and shrubs will be monitored as
part of the carbon monitoring plan. In addition, third party plantation audits will be conducted
annually within a period of 1-3 months after planting. This will also define the full replanting
according to the tree densities as established for each of the eight tree species/ shrub groups.
The plantation audit includes the following tasks:
 Selecting randomly and verify the GPS location of at least 10% of the plots planted during a
particular planting season. Deviations from the randomly selected sites are permitted, but the
procedure has to ensure that the results of the assessment are not biased.
 Comparing the trees planted with the trees recorded in the database
 Assessing the degree (in %) of the conditions below and preparation of a report with the
findings considering a minimum precision of 10% at the 95% confidence level.
 Survival rate per tree/ shrub species group of at least 85%.
 Quality seedlings: Only certified plant material from known certified improved source is used.
Only healthy seedlings are planted that have a height of between 30 and 50 cm.
 Site preparation: Planting area will be slashed and the residues used as direct mulching.
 Planting: Unplanted stock shall be stored safely. The pits shall have a minimum depth of 30
cm. The seedlings shall be centered in the hole and then back filled with topsoil. Non
surviving trees are replaced.
 Weeding: The weeding cycle mainly depends on the on-site vegetation and the weather.
Weeding is done.
The audit reports are presented in the supporting documentation.
3.3.3 Monitoring plan
The Livelihoods Fund has established a standard monitoring process for all of Livelihoods
projects. An extensive monitoring training has been conducted in October 2013 on Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) for monitoring carbon in land based carbon projects. Generic SOP
documents related to various procedures throughout the whole monitoring process have been
elaborated from which a sampling and monitoring plan for this project has been compiled. The
full monitoring SOP is available as supporting documentation; a short summary is given below
including the specific requirements and procedures for this monitoring period.
v3.3 26
Figure 3 Standard monitoring process for Livelihoods projects
Establishment of the project boundary
All land parcels subject to horticultural plantations under this project activity are delineated using
GPS tracking function. For this, an extensive training is conducted and up-to-date GPS portable
devices are available (Garmin etrex). A step-wise guidance of this tracking procedure is provided
in the SOPs Each planting plot, having assigned a unique ID, is tracked and the tracks are
downloaded and recorded as Google Earth .kml file, as shape file and as Excel file. This allows
for further processing of the tracks via GIS applications. The activities that allow for proper
management and monitoring of the project areas are:
 Review of all project boundaries to assess potentially on-going reforestation activities, site by
site.
 Geo-referencing (latitude and longitude) of each land parcel, which is part of the project,
making use of the GPS.
 Periodic verification of at least 10% of recorded boundary tracks to ensure that the project
boundaries correspond to the boundaries laid out
 There will be periodic verifications of the project area boundaries, during the crediting period.
If the boundaries present changes within this period due to natural (pests, diseases, fire, etc.)
or anthropogenic damages (harvests or deforestation), these areas will be located and their
extent determined, making an assessment of the carbon loss. These areas will be treated as
different strata from those initially established. The modified boundaries will be reported
v3.3 27
during the subsequent verification, the deforested lands will be excluded from the project and
the VCUs issued for these areas will be deducted.
 Similarly, the areas where planting fails, or the use of the land changes, will be documented.
 Analysis of the field information obtained using a GIS system (QGIS), calculating the areas
incorporated by tree stand model and year of planting, and those affected by disturbances
will be carried out.
Stratification
Stratification of the areas will correspond to the guidelines established by methodology AR

ACM0003 “Afforestation and reforestation of lands except wetlands” Version (2.0). During the
project, the number and boundaries of the strata defined ex-ante may change during the crediting
period (ex post). For this reason, strata will be monitored periodically. If a change in the number
and area of the project strata occurs, the sampling framework will be adjusted accordingly
through the following procedure for monitoring strata and the sampling framework.
A re-stratification is proposed according to the results obtained in the first monitoring of the
project, as a function of the carbon sinks and disturbances identified, taking into account the
following elements:
 The results of biomass accumulation;
 Planting dates;
 Unexpected disturbance occurring during the crediting period (e.g; fire, pest or disease
outbreaks).
 Since this project activity is rolled out over a 6 year period, planting different tree/ shrub
species groups, the database is updated periodically capturing the following information:
 Unexpected disturbances occurring during the crediting period (e.g. due to fire, pests or
disease outbreaks), affecting differently different parts of an originally homogeneous stratum
or stand;
 Forest management (cleaning, planting, re-replanting and harvesting, if any) may be

implemented at different intensities, dates and spatial locations than mentioned in the PD
 Two different strata may be similar enough to allow their merging into one stratum.
The stratification identification procedure and the final stratification for this monitoring period are
shown in the diagram below:
v3.3 28
Identification of possible pre-stratification variables
• Naandi monitoring team identified possible stratification variables apart from

planting years such as protection of plantations or trees, organic fertilizer inputs
applied per plot and the planting years (see project inventory database)
Pre-stratification for pilot inventories
• For the pilot inventory (to determine sample size) the project area (6,002 ha) was
stratified into 6 strata based on the three planting years and the organic inputs
applied to the plots as fertilizer (nominal strata 'yes' or 'no')
Analysis of pilot inventory and final stratification
• Based on the 15 measured pilot plots per stratum the analysis showed that
stratification into the three planting years is the most effective for this monitoring
period.
The final stratification for this monitoring period of the first project activity instance consists of the
following strata:
 Stratum 1: planted in 2010 – 634 ha
 Stratum 2: planted in 2011 – 1,741 ha
 Stratum 3: planted in 2013 – 3,627 ha
3.3.4 Sampling design, sampling size and random sample point selection
The sampling design is first of all driven by the precision requirements as outlined in the
methodology. The targeted precision level for biomass estimation shall be ± 10% of the mean at a
90% confidence level.
The survey sample size is determined by the variability of biomass within the samples and the
precision level required in the methodology (90/10 precision level). Regarding the sampling size,
it is important to bear in mind that the spatial variability of the parameter tree biomass and not the
size of the area (6,002 ha) determines the sampling size. The tool “Calculation of the number of
v3.3 29
sample plots for measurements within A/R CDM project activities” (Version 02.1.0) 4 as well as the
Sampling Calculator (Walker et al. 2007)5 is used to estimate the number of permanent sample
plots needed (project total as well as No plots per stratum i) for monitoring changes in carbon
pools at a desired precision level and to determine the plot locations. Based on this, a pilot
inventory was conducted to determine variability of carbon stocks of trees and shrubs and to
determine the required sample size.
It was found that the variability of the very young trees (many of them are still below DBH height
of 1.3 m) is very high also within the three different strata leading to a potential very high sample
size for the 90/10 precision requirement. Given the relatively low carbon stocks of these trees and
shrubs during this first monitoring period, it was agreed to fix the sample size at an uncertainty
level of 20% and to apply the discounting procedure presented in Appendix 2 of the A/R
Methodological tool ‘estimation of carbon stocks and change in carbon stocks of trees and shrubs
in A/R CDM project activities’ (Version 04.1).
The sample plot selection and location equally follows the guidance of the “Calculation of the
number of sample plots for measurements within A/R CDM project activities” (Version 02.1.0)
selecting a stratified random sampling procedure with a single-circular (r = 11m) sample plot
design. The random selection of planting plots for the sampling was done proportionally to the
size of the plots. The different steps of this process are outlined below, for a full description it is
referred to the Araku SOPs provided in the supporting documentation. The location of the center
point of the 11 m permanent sample circle is determined randomly using an automatic QGIS
function.
4 http://cdm.unfccc.int/methodologies/ARmethodologies/tools/ar-am-tool-03-v2.pdf
5 http://www.winrock.org/resources/winrock-sample-plot-calculator
v3.3 30
Pilot Inventory
• 15 plantation plots for each of the 6 preliminary strata were randomly selected
(stratified random selection approach proportionally to area size). Calculation of
carbon content per ha and variability applying the A/R Methodological tool
‘estimation of carbon stocks and change in carbon stocks of trees and shrubs in
A/R CDM project activities’
Determination of sample size for this monitoring

period
• Due to high variability of carbon and very low carbon densities during this early
stage of the project, sample size is determined for a 20% uncertainty. The
following minimum number of sample plots is required for the three strata:
Stratum 1 - 99 plots; stratum 2 - 55 plots; and stratum 3 - 66 plots.
Random planting plot selection and permanent

sample point allocation
• Using the project database, the respective number of plots was randomly
selected proportionally to size of the planting plots (see SOP 'PILOT
INVENTORY & SAMPLING'). The center point of the circular measurement point
is randomly selected within these planting plots using QGIS
Permanent sample point design
• Following good practice guidance on forest mensuration, a sample plot size

should be determined in a way to measure around 15 trees per plot. Based on
the av. tree density (377 trees per ha) in this project, each circle should cover an
area of approx. 410 m 2 , i.e. with an 11 m radius.
The pilot plots can be integrated into the total sample size since both the stratified random plot
selection procedures as well as the parameters collected from the permanent sample circles are
identical to the subsequent sampling. The Excel file with all plots randomly selected including a
shape file with the exact circle point locations is attached as supporting information.
3.3.5 Data collection, recording and analysis
A detailed description of the field data collection procedures can be found in the SOP ‘ARAKU -
SOP FIELD MONITORING’ (supporting documentation). The field measurement procedure has
been standardized from the early beginning of this project and the main steps are summarized as
follows:
v3.3 31
FIELD WORK SAFETY
• This important planning and preparation includes activities such as proper field
work planning including transportation and communication; simple orientation
safeguards while entering the field; completeness and functionality checks of
equipment and making contact with concerned farmers/ villagers
FIELD MEASURMENT PLANNING
• This includes equipment checking, calibration of measurement equipment;

organization of field teams; and general office preparations prior to field work
ORIENTATION AND TRAINING OF STANDARD

FIELD PROCEDURES
• This step is to train new members of the survey teams or to update all team
members on any new technologies (such as tree measurement smartphone APP,
etc.). A standard itinerary has been developed for this..
NAVIGATING TO AND BETWEEN SAMPLE POINTS

IN THE FIELD
• This includes standard rules on navigation and locating of sample point
locations, and to fix and establish the circle point center.
SAMPLE POINT MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES

• Standard activities according to a given workflow include three levels of data
collection; (1) Plantation plot parameters; (2) Measurement plot specific
parameters and (3) Tree specific parameters.
FIELD DATA TRANSFER, VERIFICATION AND

PROJECT CARBON INVENTORY DATABASE
• The plot-wise data are entered into a standard database Excel template which
uses excel based features to ensure/ verify the correct entry of data (conditional
formatting to identify outliers/ wrong entries, provision of drop-down lists to avoid
spelling errors, etc.). The survey team-wise data are then compiled in the total
project carbon database (see supporting documentation)
3.3.6 Araku sample point layout
Circular permanent sample plots are established which are easy to locate, and its boundary can
be established with less effort. Considering the planting density in this project the size of the
measurement circle is defined to capture at least 15 trees per plot. The formula used to calculate
this is shown below.
𝐴𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 10,000 × 𝑛𝑚𝑖𝑛 ÷ 𝑛𝑒
𝑚2 = 𝑚2 /ℎ𝑎 × 𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑠 ÷ 𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑠/ℎ𝑎
Where,
v3.3 32
𝐴𝑚𝑖𝑛 minimum circle area size in m 2
𝑛𝑚𝑖𝑛 amount of minimum trees required to measure within one measurement circle (at least
15)
𝑛𝑒 amount of trees per ha planted which are expected to reach maturity stage in the project
 366 trees are assumed as minim planting density in the project based on the project contracts
with Livelihoods and the PD ex-ante estimation. The table below summarizes the status
information of the 6 project strata and the assessment of circle size.
Sample point Radius of

area (m2) circle (m)
11
410
𝟒𝟏𝟎
(10000*15/366) (√ )
𝛑
Based on this the following permanent sample plot layout is proposed as shown in the figure
below against the general planting layout of the project:
Figure 4 Scheme of a permanent sample plot in the first instance project activity
v3.3 33
3.3.7 Parameters collected and measured in the field
The SOP ‘ARAKU - SOP FIELD MONITORING’ details all parameters and variables to be
measured in the field including the survey sheet used throughout this first monitoring period.
Explicitly relevant for the carbon monitoring are the following variables, some of them are
especially relevant for this first monitoring given the young age of the project trees.
 SPECIES_CODE: A special code is used to identify the tree/ shrub species
 TREE_SPECIFICATION: A coding systems is used to identify the categories TREE (0);

SAPLING (1) (very young tree); and SHRUB (2).
 ORIGIN: A coding system is used to identify the origin of the tree; BASELINE TREE (0)
PROJECT TREE/ SHRUB (1); planted by FARMER (2); NATURALLY REGENERATED (3). If
the tree is identified as baseline tree, no further measurements are done. Trees planted by
farmers or naturally regenerated only are assigned to these categories if the trees are
planted/ grown after the project start.
 DBH (1.3m) in cm: Due to very young plantations many trees do not have reached a height
which allows the measurement of a DBH. Therefore, in addition to the DBH, other diameter
variables are measured only for this first monitoring period.
 D10 in cm: Also known as Diameter at Root Collar (DRC) is the diameter measured at the
root collar or at the natural ground line, whichever is higher, outside the bark
 DCROWN in cm: If possible, the diameter below the first branch of the crown is measured.
 HEIGHT and HCRB in m: In young plantation where trees are still smaller the use of a 3-5m
simple pole (e.g. bamboo) with 10-cm markings is used to estimate tree height and height at
crown base (HCRB).
 CROWN_COVER in cm X cm: During this first monitoring, no transect walks are performed
given the very small dimensions of shrubs and the absence of coffee and moringa plants yet
to be planted. Instead the crown cover for each shrub species within the 11 m plot is
estimated by two vertical crown diameter measurements, e.g. 30 x 45 cm.
3.3.8 Procedures to avoid/ minimize systematic errors:
Apart from the standardized monitoring process with SOPs and measurement guidelines
developed under the Livelihoods Network this project has developed a simple smartphone tree
measurement application which allows to collect all the information shown in the survey sheet
with a smartphone able to use GPS and electronic compass. This APP allows to automatically
record geographic information of the circular plots including corrected slope distances. The plot-
wise tree date can be easily exported into .csv formatted Excel tables which then are integrated
into the project carbon database. Screenshots of the App are shown below:
v3.3 34
v3.3 35
3.3.9 Procedures for internal auditing and QA/QC
As stated in the IPCC GPG for LULUCF (page 4.111) monitoring requires provisions for quality
assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) to be implemented via a QA/QC plan. The plan will be
part of project documentation and cover procedures as described below for:
 Collecting reliable field measurements;
 Verifying methods used to collect field data;
 Verifying data entry and analysis techniques; and
 Data maintenance and archiving. Especially this point is important, as time scales of project
activities are much longer than technological improvements of electronic data archiving.
3.3.10 Procedures to ensure reliable field measurements
Collecting reliable field measurement data is an important step in the quality assurance plan.
Those responsible for the measurement work are trained in all aspects of the field data collection
and data analyses. It is good practice to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for
each step of the field measurements, which should be adhered to at all times. These SOPs
describe in detail all steps to be taken of the field measurements and contain provisions for
documentation for verification purposes so that future field personnel can check past results and
v3.3 36
repeat the measurements in a consistent fashion. To ensure the collection and maintenance of
reliable field data:
 Field-team members are fully aware of all procedures and the importance of collecting data
as accurately as possible;
 Field teams install test plots if needed in the field and measure all pertinent components
using the SOPs to estimate measurement errors;
 The document lists all names of the field team and the project leader will certify that the team
is trained; and
 New staff is adequately trained.

3.3.11 Procedures to verify field data collection
To verify that plots have been installed and the measurements taken correctly, it is good practice
to remeasure independently every 10 plots and to compare the measurements. The following
quality targets are achieved for the re-measurements, compared to the original measurements:
 Missed or extra trees  no error within the plot
 Tree species or groups  no error
 DBH of tree measurements < ± 0.5 cm or 3 % whichever is greater
 Height measurements  < ± 10/ and -20%
At the end of the field work independently 10-20% of the plots are checked. Field data collected
at this stage is compared with the original data. Any errors found are corrected and recorded. Any
errors discovered are expressed as a percentage of all plots that have been re-checked to
provide an estimate of the measurement error.
Reliable carbon estimates require proper entry of data into the data analyses spreadsheets.
Possible errors in this process are minimized if the entry of both field data and laboratory data are
cross-checked and, where necessary, internal tests incorporated into the spreadsheets to ensure
that the data entries are realistic. Communication between all personnel involved in measuring
and analysing data is used to resolve any apparent anomalies before the final analysis of the
monitoring data is completed. If there are any problems with the monitoring plot data that cannot
be resolved, the plot is not used in the analysis.
3.3.12 Data maintenance and storage
Because of the relatively long-term nature of these project activities, data archiving (maintenance
and storage) will be an important component of the work. Data archiving should take several
forms and copies of all data should be provided to each project participant. Copies (electronic
and/or paper) of all field data, data analyses, and models; estimates of the changes in carbon
stocks and corresponding calculations and models used; any GIS products; and copies of the
v3.3 37
measuring and monitoring reports should all be stored in a dedicated and safe place, preferably
offsite. Given the time frame over which the project activity will take place and the pace of
production of updated versions of software and new hardware for storing data, it is recommended
that the electronic copies of the data and report be updated periodically or converted to a format
that could be accessed by any future software application.
4 QUANTIFICATION OF GHG EMISSION REDUCTIONS AND REMOVALS
4.1 Baseline Emissions
As demonstrated in Section 3.1 of the PD, the carbon stocks and carbon stock changes of trees
and shrubs in the baseline is estimated to be zero following the conditions outlined in chapter 5 of
the A/R Methodological tool “Estimation of carbon stocks and change in carbon stocks of trees
and shrubs in A/R CDM project activities” (Version 04.1). The existence of baseline trees is
monitored throughout the crediting period of the project activity consistent with the baseline
scenario.
According to the baseline PRA survey realized, the project land is classified as barren land
(59%), shrub land (24%), grass land (11%) and recently slashed land (with biomass litter, 6%). In
reality most of the land can be categorized as degraded land with very scarce vegetation, the four
classes are a result of the different characteristic stages of this 3-months cropland with fallow
periods, slashing periods (including burning) and cropping. During the fallow period no woody
shrub species establish and the crown cover of the shrubs (mainly lanatana camara) is scarce
and below 5%.
Consequently, the baseline can be estimated as zero.
4.2 Project Emissions
Project emissions are considered zero. As addressed in the PD, The project is promoting the
complete cessation of any slash and burn practices within all project parcels. Trainings are
conducted within all villages (including farmers not directly involved I the project) to convince
farmers in changing their traditional Podu (slash and burn) cultivation as a whole in order to
promote the protection of trees in the highly degraded landscape (baseline as well as project
trees). The emission reduction from this cessation of burning compared to the baseline is
conservatively ignored.
The actual net GHG removals by sinks have been calculated using equation 2 of the
methodology (AR-ACM0003: Afforestation and reforestation of lands except wetlands. Version
02.0) as described below.
ΔCACTUAL,t = ΔCP,t – GHGE,t
Where:
ΔCACTUAL,t = Annual actual net greenhouse gas removals by sinks at time t; t CO2-
e yr-1
ΔCP,t = Change in carbon stocks in project, occurring in the selected carbon
v3.3 38
pools, at time t; t CO2-e yr-1
GHGE,t = Increase of non-CO2 GHG emissions within the project boundary as a
result of the implementation of the A/R CDM project activity, in year t, t
CO2-e
Change in the carbon stocks in project have been calculated using equation 3 of the
methodology:
ΔCP,t = ΔCTREE_PROJ,t + ΔCSHRUB_PROJ,t + ΔCSOC_PROJ,t
Where:
ΔCP,t = Change in carbon stocks in project, occurring in the selected carbon

pools, at time t; t CO2-e yr-1
ΔCTREE_PROJ,t = Change in carbon stock in tree biomass in project in year t, as
estimated in AR-TOOL14; t CO2-e yr-1
ΔCSHRUB_PROJ,t = Change in carbon stock in shrub biomass in project in year t, as
estimated in AR-TOOL14; t CO2-e yr-1
ΔCSOC_PROJ,t = Change in carbon stock in the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool within
the project boundary, as estimated in AR-AM0014, in year t; t CO2-e yr-1
4.2.1 Estimation of carbon stock changes in trees and shrubs
Carbon stock changes of trees and shrubs are calculated applying the AR-Tool ‘A/R
Methodological tool: Estimation of carbon stocks and change in carbon stocks of trees and
shrubs in A/R CDM project activities’ (Version 04.1) 6.
4.2.2 Long term average for trees harvested
According to the VCS AFOLU requirements, projects with harvesting activities need to realize a
long term average estimation for all affected species. In this project only teak will be harvested,
The anaylsis below shows the expected GHG benefits per year and the credits available
estimated based on the ex-ante estimation of teak:
Baseline
scenario: Project
to date scenario:
GHG to date
emission GHG
reductions emission
and reductions Annual Expected Total
removals and change in total GHG credits
at year removals GHG benefit to available
tBaseline at year t benefit date each year
6
http://cdm.unfccc.int/methodologies/ARmethodologies/tools/ar-am-tool-14-v4.1.pdf
v3.3 39
Year tCO2 tCO2 tCO2 tCO2 VCUs
t BE PE PEt - PEt-1 PEt - BEt
0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 49.7 49.7 49.7 49.7
2 0 391.0 341.3 391.0 341.3
3 0 1,662 1,270.9 1,662 1,270.9
4 0 4,544.7 2,882.7 4,544.7 2,882.7
5 0 9,303.8 4,759.1 9,303.8 4,759.1
6 0 15,322.5 6,018.7 15,322.5 6,018.7
7 0 22,494.5 7,172.0 22,494.5 7,172.0
8 0 28,270.8 5,776.2 28,270.8 5,776.2
9 0 34,354.9 6,084.1 34,354.9 6,084.1
10 0 41,125.2 6,770.2 41,125.2 6,770.2
11 0 48,478.4 7,353.2 48,478.4 7,353.2
12 0 56,186.9 7,708.5 56,186.9 536,88
13 0 63,800.8 7,613.8 63,800.8
14 0 71,849.9 8,049.0 71,849.9
15 0 80,448.2 8,598.3 80,448.2
16 0 89,604.5 9,156.2 89,604.5
17 0 99,326.9 9,722.5 99,326.9
18 0 109,623.9 10,296.9 109,623.9
19 0 120503.1 10,879.2 120503.1
20 0 131,972.2 11,469.2 131,972.2
21 0 0 -131,972 0
Total 1,029,314.7 49,014.98
Long-term average available for teak 49,015
Figure 5 Long term average graphic for teak
The long term average estimated for teak is not reached in this monitoring period.
v3.3 40
Estimation of carbon stocks in trees:
The following sections and equations of the tool are applied:
Chapter 8: Estimating carbon stock in trees at a point of time
8.1. Estimation by measurement of sample plots
8.1.1. Stratified random sampling
Mean carbon stock in trees within the tree biomass

estimation strata and the associated uncertainty are
estimated by applying euqations 12-15 of the tool
Following the guidance of Appendix 1 of the tool ‘Methods of plot biomass measurement’ using
fixed area plots equation 5 is applied to estimate the biomass of a tree in a sample plot, by
calculating the volume of the tree (VTREE,j) and multiplying with wood density (Dj), biomass
expansion factor (BEF2,j) and a root-to-shoot ratio (Rj).
In general this project prefers to apply species specific allometric equations to determine tree
biomass (equation 4 of Appendix 1 of the Tool), however, for this fist monitoring period it was
found that no equation exists which includes the small diameter ranges or even is based on root
collar diameters (D10) instead of DBH representing the actual conditions of the trees in the
project. During subsequent monitoring periods species specific/ group specific allometric
equations will be applied, preferably from the GlobAllomeTree Database 7.
The same applies for the calculation of tree volume (VTREE,j) for this first monitoring period.
Estimation of tree volume (VTREE,j)
Standard forest mensuration guidance is applied to calculate VTREE,j, see van Laar and Akca
(2007) ‘Forest Mensuration’ as reference8.
The volume of the individual standing trees is usually obtained from the equation
7 http://www.globallometree.org/
8 http://www2.ca.uky.edu/Forestry/FOR250/Forest%20Mensuration%20book.pdf
v3.3 41
VTREE = 1/4π × d2 × h × f
Where,
1/4π × d2 basal area of the tree
h height of the tree
f form factor
The form factor of a tree or stem is defined as stem volume, expressed as a proportion of the
volume of a cylinder of the same height, with a diameter equal to the stem diameter at the
selected reference point:
stem volume
f=
cylinder volume
During this first monitoring, several diameter variables were taken, i.e. D 10, DBH, and DCROWN.
Since most of the project trees are below 1.3 m stem height (needed for DBH), D 10 and DCROWN
were taken from most trees (not from saplings). Since the length of this section is also measured
as height of crown base Smalian formula is applied to determine the volume of this stem:
gu + gl
v= ×l
2
Where
gl, gu cross-sectional area at the lower and upper end,
l length of the stem
Based on these equations an average form factor of 0.75 (see carbon inventory analysis Excel
sheet) is calculated for the stem section of the young trees. Since for all trees the total height of
trees including the crown section is measured and used for the volume calculation, the stem
volume form factor was adjusted with the ratio between the total tree height and the height of
crown base (0.41). The adjusted form factor 0.31 (0.75x0.41) is applied to all trees for this first
monitoring period to calculate tree volumes based on the D10 measurement in the sample plots:
VTREE = 1/4π × D102 × h × f
Bamboo: Bamboo biomass of young trees and saplings was not calculated for this monitoring
period due to lack of appropriate biomass equation (also volume of bamboo cannot be calculated
in the same way as for trees). Once the bamboo culms reach DBH heights, a species specific
allometric biomass equation will be applied.
To calculate tree biomass BTREE, the following default values are applied:
Root-to-shoot ratio Rj:
For trees, the default equation from Appendix 1 of the Tool is applied
v3.3 42
𝑒 (−1.085+0.9256×𝑙𝑛𝑏)
Rj:
𝑏
Where,
b is the AGB tree biomass in t d.m. ha-1
RBAMBOO: 0.528
For bamboo, a root to shoot ratio of 0.528 obtained was obtained from Lobovikov et al. (2009) 9
which is the value already validated in the first VCS bamboo ARR project 10. Bamboos invest a
large proportion of assimilates below-ground and belowground biomass includes both roots and
rhizomes.
Wood density Dj
DTREES,j: 0.79
The average wood density for trees is taken from Kaul et al (2009) 11 for Andhra Pradesh. This
value is applied for all trees planted in the project.
Biomass expansion factor BEF2j
BEF2j: 2.55
The average BEF value for trees is taken from Kaul et al (2010)12 for open forests in Andhra
Pradesh. This value is applied for all trees planted in the project.
CFTREES & SHRUBS: 0.47
Default value from AR CDM tool “Estimation of carbon stocks and change in carbon stocks of
trees and shrubs in A/R CDM project activities”
Estimation of carbon stocks in shrubs
Equation 26 and 27 of chapter 11 of the AR-Tool ‘A/R Methodological tool: Estimation of carbon
stocks and change in carbon stocks of trees and shrubs in A/R CDM project activities’ (Version
04.1).was applied to shrub species planted in the project. The following default values were
applied to estimate shrub biomass per hectare (bSHRUB):
9 Lobovikov et al. 2009. Poor man’s carbon sink: Bamboo in climate change and poverty alleviation.
10 VCS Project: Peri-urban bamboo planting around South African townships
https://vcsprojectdatabase2.apx.com/myModule/Interactive.asp?Tab=Projects&a=2&i=721&lat=-
26%2E390197&lon=27%2E794031&bp=1
11
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112709002436 (page 102, table 2 value for
Andhra Pradesh)
12 Kaul et al. 2010. Phytomass carbon pool of trees and forests in India. Climatic Change (Link:
http://edepot.wur.nl/168886). table 4
v3.3 43
BDRSF: 0.1
The default value of the tool is used
CCSHRUB: The crown cover is calculated based on the crown cover estimation in the circular
measurement plots
BFOREST: 113.8 t d.m. ha-1

Based on the CAFNET India Final Report 201113, the tree biomass component in native Arabica
shade tree systems totals 176 t d.m. of aboveground biomass. The value used in this project is
calculated by dividing the reference value by the average native shade tree density in the
CAFNET report (N=436/ha) (page 41, table I in the report) and multiplying this by 366 trees/ ha
planted in the project.
Root-to-shoot ratio for shrubs

RSHRUBS: 0.4
Carbon fraction
CFTREES & SHRUBS: 0.47
Estimation of carbon stock changes from trees and shrubs for this monitoring period
Actual net GHG removals by sink are calculated with the inventory data following the described
steps. The complete calculation is available in the Excel file “Araku Carbon Inventory Database”.
Outliers of tree measurement parameters have been excluded by applying the basic +/- 3 Z-score
rule and the ABS function in Excel to identify outliers per stratum.
Trees (BTREE)
bTREE,t BTREE,t CTREE,t

Stratum Area (ha) wi
t d.m. ha-1 t d.m. t CO2-e
1 634 0.11
2 1,741 0.29
3 3,627 0.60
TOTAL 6,002 1 0.02 137.74 237.38
Calculation of uncertainty following the guidance of Appendix 2 of the A/R Methodological Tool
13http://www.ifpindia.org/ecrire/upload/eco_projects/CAFNET%20India%20Final%20Report.pdf (Table V,
page 53. The value 88 tC/ha is converted to t d.m./ ha AGB (CF=0.5))
v3.3 44
uc
si uc mean
Stratum ni uc % Discount
t d.m. ha-1 t CO2-e
t CO2-e
1 0.006 108
2 0.001 71
14.3% 34.0 -8.5
3 0.001 91
TOTAL 0.003 270
Total discounted mean of CTREE: 229 t CO2-e
Shrubs (BSHRUB)
CSHRUB,t
Stratum Area (ha)
t CO2-e
1 634 4.39
2 1,741 17.46
3 3,627 13.71
TOTAL 6,002 35.56
Total ΔCTREE_PROJ,t and ΔCSHRUB_PROJ,t for this monitoring period: 264 tCO2e.
4.2.3 Estimation of changes in soil organic carbon stocks
As per the methodology, soil organic carbon (SOC) is unlikely to increase in the baseline,
therefore the change in carbon stock in SOC is conservatively assumed to be zero for all strata in
the baseline scenario.
Under the project scenario, the plantation of horticultural trees, coffee and shrubs will lead to an
increase in soil fertility and SOC over time. In fact, during the early phases of this project, SOC is
the major pool to recover due to the practices such as organic fertilization, planting plot
protection, cessation of slash and burn, mulching of baseline shrubs, etc. promoted by Naandi
during project establishment phase. Therefore, for ex-post estimation of the SOC changes under
the project scenario for this monitoring period, the default method of the A/R Methodological tool
‘Tool for estimation of change in soil organic carbon stocks due to the implementation of A/R
CDM project activities’ (Version 01.1.0) is applied. The application and justification of the tool is
outlined in the PD, section 3.2.
The rate of change in SOC stock in the project scenario until the steady state in SOC content is
reached (assumed in 20 years from the time of the initial site preparation) is calculated as 1.22
tC/ ha/ yr. The methodological tool has a conservative threshold of 0.8 tC/ha/yr, so this value was
selected to complete the calculation of the SOC removals.
v3.3 45
For this monitoring period, a 3-year and 10 months period will be used to calculate the actual soil
organic carbon stock changes of the project.
Area under ΔSOC (tC ha-1yr-1) in each
plantation (ha) stratum Annual ΔSOC (tCO2e yr-1) total ha
Year 1 2 3
634
2010 0.27 0.00 0.00 619.5
2,375
2011 0.80 0.27 0.00 3,561.0
6,002
2012 0.80 0.80 0.27 10,513.0
6,002
2013 0.80 0.80 0.80 17,606.5
6,002
2014 0.47 0.47 0.47 10,270.5
Total 42,570
4.2.4 Actual net greenhouse gas removals by sinks
ΔCTREE_PROJ,t
and
ΔCSHRUB_PROJ,t ΔSOC_PROJ,t ΔCP,t
Project year t CO2-e t CO2-e t CO2-e
2010 – 4 months 22.0 619.5 641.5
2011 66.2 3,561.0 3,627.2

2012 66.2 10,513.0 10,579.2
2013 66.2 17,606.5 17,672.7
2014 – 8 months 43.8 10,270.5 10,313.8
TOTAL 264.4 42,570 42,834.4
4.3 Leakage
As it has already been demonstrated in section 3.3 of the PD, leakage attributable to the
displacement of agricultural activities can be accounted as zero and leakage due to displacement
of grazing activities is assumed to be insignificant since all grazing activities are displaced to
degraded land.
Proposed measures to be implemented to minimize potential leakage
The PRA survey and the village sketch maps show that most displacement of agricultural activities
is very low and can be neglected. Regarding grazing, the findings indicate that there is
displacement of grazing to other degraded land within the village land. Livestock of the entire
village is generally shifting the grazing locations depending on the season:
v3.3 46
During summer (March-May) the livestock is freely roaming on the entire village land. During rainy
season (June-Nov) the grazing areas indicated by the respondents include degraded forest areas,
orchards and predominantly vacant lands. During winter (Dec-Jan) the livestock is grazing on
harvested paddy & other crops areas.
The current average No of livestock in the villages is used as a proxy to assess whether the
carrying capacity of the land outside of the project boundary (total village land) is sufficiently large
to allow grazing without significant leakage effects. Further, separate grazing areas (unutilized
land) is being allocated for the cattle where fodder crops would be planted and this is being
managed by village development committees overlooking the management of horticulture project.
4.4 Net GHG Emission Reductions and Removals

Year Baseline Project emissions Leakage Net GHG emission
emissions or or removals emissions reductions or
removals (tCO2e) (tCO2e) (tCO2e) removals (tCO2e)
2010 0 641.5 0 641.5
2011 0 3,627.2 0 3,627.2
2012 0 10,579.2 0 10,579.2
2013 0 17,672.7 0 17,672.7
2014 0 10,313.8 0 10,313.8
Total 42,834.4 42,834.4
The total GHG emission reductions of the first project instances for the 1 st monitoring period 27-
08-2010 to 27-07-2014 are 42,834 tCO2e. The non-permanence risk rating is 10% (as determined
in the AFOLU non-permanence risk report attached as a separate document). Therefore the total
number of buffer credits that need to be deposited into the AFOLU pooled buffer account is 4,283
tCO2e. The number of GHG credits eligible to be issued as VCUs for the first project instances of
this monitoring period is 38,551 tCO2e.
v3.3 47
v3.3 48

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MONITORING REPORT: VCS Version 3

ARAKU VALLEY LIVELIHOOD PROJECT

Project Title Araku Valley Livelihood Project

Date of Issue 23-10-2014

Monitoring Period 27-08-2010 to 27-07-2014

Prepared By Naandi Foundation & Livelihoods Fund

Contact Naandi Foundation, Rd No 2 - Banjara Hills, 502 Trendset Towers, Hyderabad –

1.1 Summary Description of the Implementation Status of the Project

Moringa shrub group

Moringa shade tree

Coffee shade tree

Mixed fruit tree

2014 – 300/ 400 ha X X

1.2 Sectoral Scope and Project Type

1.3 Project Proponent

Contact person Mr. Jean-Pierre Rennaud

Title General manager

Address 15 rue de Helder; 75009; Paris; France

1.4 Other Entities Involved in the Project

Role in the project Project development and implementation

Contact person David Hogg

Title Vice-President – Livelihoods Naandi Foundation

Address Naandi Foundation; Rd No 2 - Banjara Hills 502 Trendset

Telephone +91 40 2355 6491/2

Organization name UNIQUE forestry and land use GmbH

Role in the project Carbon project development support

Contact person Matthias Seebauer

Title AFOLU carbon project development expert

Telephone +49 7612085340

1.5 Project Start Date

Starting date of the project activity: 27-08-2010

1.6 Project Crediting Period

Project crediting period: 27-08-2010 – 26-08-30

Total numbers of years: 20 years

1.7 Project Location

Stratum Total Area (ha) No of planting Average Average trees

1.8 Title and Reference of Methodology

AR-ACM0003: Afforestation and reforestation of lands except wetlands (Version 2.0) 1

ARR methodological tools:

 “Estimation of the increase in GHG emissions attributable to displacement of pre-project

Other methodological ARR CDM tools which are applied include,

 “Demonstrating appropriateness of volume equations for estimation of aboveground tree

 Demonstrating appropriateness of allometric equations for estimation of aboveground tree

1.9 Other Programs

2.1 Implementation Status of the Project Activity

2.2.1 Methodology Deviations

2.2.2 Project Description Deviations

3.1 Data and Parameters Available at Validation

Data and parameters that are available at:

Data / Parameter CFs

Data unit t C(t.d.m.)-1

Description Carbon fraction of shrub biomass

Data / Parameter CFTREE

Data / Parameter RSHRUBS

Data unit dimensionless

Description Root-shoot ratio for shrubs

Data / Parameter BDRSF

Data unit Dimensionless

Data / Parameter bFOREST

Data unit t d.m. ha-1

Description Default above-ground biomass content in forest in the region

Data / Parameter SOCREF,i

Data unit tCha-1