---
# System prepended metadata

title: 'Technical Report for Silvi: Key Development Questions and Next Steps'

---

# Technical Report for Silvi: Key Development Questions and Next Steps

## Introduction

This report provides a concise overview of the essential tools, methodologies, and features needed to advance census-based and area-based carbon accounting. 

It focuses on high-impact data types and functionalities to integrate into Silvi and Treekipedia, supporting MRV protocols such as CFC, Plan Vivo, and Verra VM0047.

---

## Question 1: Essential Tools and Features for Census-Based Accounting

To ensure that Silvi and Treekipedia excel in census-based carbon accounting, we recommend the following prioritized tools and features:

1. **Species Tracking and Allometric Modeling**
   - **Goal**: Precisely monitor tree and species growth, using species-specific allometric models for accurate biomass and carbon estimates.
   - **Implementation**: Integrate species-specific growth data and models (e.g., Global Allometric Model) into Treekipedia, enabling Silvi to utilize consistent, validated metrics.

2. **Remote Sensing and GIS Integration**
   - **Goal**: Use remote sensing (e.g., LiDAR, NDVI) to validate census data, especially for hard-to-access areas.
   - **Implementation**: Integrate tools like Google Earth Engine to track tree density and health, enhancing accuracy for large-scale validation.

3. **Automated Claim Validation**
   - **Goal**: Streamline claim validation with automated, protocol-specific templates.
   - **Implementation**: Use species and growth data from Treekipedia to create automated claim validation criteria in Silvi, reducing manual validation time.


## Table 1: Key Data Requirements for Census-Based and Area-Based Carbon Accounting

| **Data Type**           | **Description**                                                 | **Source**               | **Usage in System**                                      |
|-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) | Tree trunk diameter measured at 1.3 meters above ground | Field data collection    | Used in allometric equations for biomass estimation      |
| Tree Height             | Total height of each tree                                       | Field data collection    | Combined with DBH for volume and biomass calculations    |
| Canopy Diameter         | Width of tree canopy                                           | Remote sensing, drones   | Used for area-based biomass validation                   |
| Species Information     | Specific species of each tree                                  | Treekipedia database     | Applies species-specific biomass and carbon models       |
| Soil Organic Content    | Organic carbon content in soil                                 | Soil samples, lab tests  | Supports below-ground carbon calculations                |
| Carbon Fractions        | Carbon percentages by tree part (e.g., stem, branch, leaf)     | Treekipedia database     | Used to calculate carbon content from biomass estimates  |


+-------------------------------+
                |       Field Data Collection   |
                |                               |
                |  - DBH, Height, Canopy        |
                |  - Tree Location (GPS)        |
                |  - Soil Data                  |
                +---------------+---------------+
                                |
                                v
                +-------------------------------+
                |      Treekipedia Database     |
                |                               |
                |  - Stores specie-level data     |
                |  - Integrates species-specific|
                |    allometric models          |
                +---------------+---------------+
                                |
                                v
                +-------------------------------+
                |   Silvi Carbon Calculation    |
                |   and Validation Module       |
                |                               |
                |  - Uses allometric equations  |
                |    for biomass                |
                |  - Calculates carbon storage  |
                +---------------+---------------+
                                |
                                v
                +-------------------------------+
                |     MRV Protocol Compliance   |
                |                               |
                |  - Carbon credits issuance    |
                |  - Ongoing validation         |
                +-------------------------------+

4. **Dynamic Carbon Calculation Models**
   - **Goal**: Enable real-time carbon updates as trees grow.
   - **Implementation**: Treekipedia provides predictive carbon data for Silvi, allowing for dynamic claim adjustments and accurate carbon estimates.

---

## Question 2: Bridging Census and Area-Based Accounting

To link census-based data with area-based requirements, we propose the following methods:

1. **Hybrid Data Protocol**
   - **Goal**: Scale census data to cover larger regions by extrapolating from key points.
   - **Implementation**: Use Treekipedia to group similar zones and apply census-derived averages to estimate area-based biomass.

+-------------------------------+
                |  Sample Census-Based Data     |
                |                               |
                |  - DBH, Height, Species       |
                |  - Soil Organic Content       |
                +---------------+---------------+
                                |
                                v
                +-------------------------------+
                |  Treekipedia Aggregation and  |
                |  Data Grouping                |
                |                               |
                |  - Groups similar zones       |
                |  - Averages sample data       |
                +---------------+---------------+
                                |
                                v
                +-------------------------------+
                |    Scaling Algorithm          |
                |                               |
                |  - Extrapolates data across   |
                |    larger areas               |
                +---------------+---------------+
                                |
                                v
                +-------------------------------+
                |    Area-Based Carbon Estimate |
                |                               |
                |  - Total carbon for large     |
                |    project area               |
                +-------------------------------+

2. **Zonal Scaling Algorithms**
   - **Goal**: Convert grouped census data into area-based estimates.
   - **Implementation**: Apply scaling algorithms within Silvi to generate carbon data across different zones using species data from Treekipedia.

3. **Protocol Templates for Compliance**
   - **Goal**: Use modular templates to standardize census and area-based data reporting.
   - **Implementation**: Treekipedia provides protocol-specific templates for Silvi, ensuring compliance with CFC, Plan Vivo, and Verra VM0047.

4. **Remote Verification Support**
   - **Goal**: Enhance validation by integrating remote sensing to cross-reference census data.
   - **Implementation**: Use remote sensing data in Treekipedia and Silvi to support area-based verification across large-scale projects.



---

## Question 3: Modeling Species-Specific Attributes with Treekipedia Data

For species-specific growth and carbon modeling, we suggest:

## Table 2: Summary of Species-Specific Carbon Calculation Steps

| **Step**                            | **Description**                                                                                 | **Data Required**                                          |
|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Calculate Part-Specific Biomass     | Use measurements for DBH, height, and species to estimate biomass for stem, branches, and leaves| DBH, height, species, allometric model                     |
| Apply Carbon Fractions              | Multiply part-specific biomass by species-specific carbon fractions                             | Biomass values for each part, carbon fractions             |
| Sum Carbon Content for Total Storage| Add carbon content of each part to get total carbon sequestration                               | Part-specific carbon content (stem, branches, leaves, roots)|

1. **Allometric Models and Growth Curves**
   - **Goal**: Use species-specific models to predict biomass and carbon sequestration accurately.
   - **Implementation**: Integrate allometric and growth models in Treekipedia for species-driven validation in Silvi.

2. **Species-Specific Carbon Sequestration Models**
   - **Goal**: Estimate carbon across growth stages.
   - **Implementation**: Use Treekipedia’s carbon data in Silvi to validate storage dynamically, aligning credits with real-time growth.

+-----------------------------+
                 |  Treekipedia Species Data   |
                 |                             |
                 |  - DBH, Height, Canopy      |
                 |  - Species-specific data    |
                 +--------------+--------------+
                                |
                                v
                 +-----------------------------+
                 |   Part-Specific Biomass     |
                 |   Calculations              |
                 |                             |
                 |  - Stem Biomass             |
                 |  - Branch Biomass           |
                 |  - Leaf Biomass             |
                 +--------------+--------------+
                                |
                                v
                 +-----------------------------+
                 |   Apply Carbon Fractions    |
                 |                             |
                 |  - Stem: 0.48               |
                 |  - Branch: 0.5              |
                 |  - Leaf: 0.4                |
                 +--------------+--------------+
                                |
                                v
                 +-----------------------------+
                 |    Total Carbon Content     |
                 |                             |
                 |  - Sum of part-specific     |
                 |    carbon content           |
                 +-----------------------------+

3. **Ecosystem Service Metrics**
   - **Goal**: Quantify additional ecological benefits beyond carbon.
   - **Implementation**: Treekipedia integrates services like biodiversity and soil health, enhancing the ecological value of Silvi’s carbon credits.

## Table 3: Data Relationships for Silvi and Treekipedia Integration

| **Data Category**       | **Relationship**              | **Linked Data Category**         | **Description**                                                |
|-------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
| Restoration Area        | Contains                      | Tree                              | Restoration areas include individual trees measured for carbon |
| Restoration Area        | Associated with               | Biodiversity Hotspot              | High-priority zones for restoration based on biodiversity      |
| Tree                    | Measured by                   | Carbon Sequestration Data         | Each tree measurement contributes to total carbon storage data |
| Tree                    | Located in                    | Restoration Area                  | Links each tree to its designated restoration area             |
| Data Submission         | Verified by                   | Blockchain Hash                   | Secures each data point, ensuring it is tamper-proof           |
| Data Submission         | Processed by                  | Smart Contract                    | Smart contracts verify and approve submissions for carbon credits |


## Table 4: Smart Contract Criteria for Data Validation and Credit Issuance

| **Criteria**                        | **Condition**                                             | **Action upon Verification**                                |
|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Data Completeness                   | All required fields (DBH, height, species) are provided   | Proceed to carbon calculation                              |
| Accuracy Validation                 | Matches data from remote sensing (canopy diameter, health)| Data is flagged as “Verified” in Silvi                     |
| Protocol Compliance                 | Meets MRV protocol standards (e.g., CFC, Plan Vivo)       | Credits issued and recorded on blockchain                  |
| Data Integrity                      | Hash matches blockchain record                            | Credits released, payment processed via smart contract     |

---

## Conclusion and Next Steps

### Immediate Priorities
1. **Implement DBH and Height Tracking**: Core data for all protocols.
2. **Validate Soil Type Detection**: Explore image-based or electromagnetic soil identification.
3. **Focus on Species-Driven Claim Validation**: Prioritize automated species validation for the CFC protocol.

### Ongoing Refinement
- **Living Document**: Regularly update documentation with insights and feedback.
- **Feature Roadmap**: Implement high-impact features like claim validation and continuous monitoring for enhanced MRV compliance.

This report provides a structured approach for Silvi and Treekipedia, ensuring practical, scalable steps toward optimized carbon credit accounting.