Simon Besnard Email & Phone Number

Berlin, De

Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany

Amsterdam Area

As part of the Digital Innovation team, I drive ongoing development, improvement and integration of artificial intelligence into South Pole digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) and forecasting processes and other software services. With strict requirements for the accuracy and scalability of our models, I design AI pipelines that support effective integration and deployment of the latest remote sensing technologies and models to scale digital MRV for global nature-based solutions.

Germany And Netherlands

My research mainly focuses on understanding the ecosystem’s dynamics and the carbon-water cycles. To answer such questions, I integrate a series of datasets such as remote sensing, climate data, and eddy-covariance data into statistical and process-based models.

Controls of forest age and ecological memory effects on biosphere-atmosphere CO2 exchange

Wageningen, The Netherlands

- Participated in the Pan-tropical analysis of deforestation drivers which is part of the Global Comparative Study on REDD+, CIFOR;- Assessed the suitability of global to national land cover data to improve the deforestation drivers analysis; and- Analyzed carbon emissions per driver using sample-based driver data and global forest biomass maps.

Wageningen University

Established a living matrix of REDD+ MRV approaches applied in GIZ projects to categorize their technical specifications, compile experiences and challenges, and to assess their compliance with emerging UNFCCC and VCS REDD+ frameworks.Outputs:- MRV living matrix design anticipating UNFCCC, IPCC, and VCS JNR AFOLU requirements;- Questionnaire on MRV practices in GIZ programmes and projects;- MRV living matrix compiling the feedback from GIZ programs and projects;- Final report with recommendations on how to streamline MRV approaches at different scales.

Washington D.C.

- Participated on the State of the 2013 Voluntary Carbon Markets 2013 and 2013 State of the Forest Carbon Markets reports;- Data collection involving follow-up with a variety of survey respondents including carbon offset suppliers, exchanges, registries, and standards.

San Francisco Bay Area

- Completed a research brief and presentation on the State of Soil Carbon Sequestration Offset Policy Design.- Conducted research on and compare carbon registry policies on permanence and additionality (CAR, ACR, VCS, CCX) for soil carbon sequestration projects.- Reviewed policy implementation in current protocols related to soil carbon sequestration.

Rio San Juan, Nicaragua

- Managed a reforestation/afforestation carbon offsets project with forestry and agroforestry systems generating social, environmental and biodiversity benefits for the Rio San Juan communities.- Led 200 farm assessments including mapping; led outreach plan and guided farmers on new land conservation practices and forest management.- Participated in modelling carbon sequestration; coordinated biodiversity assessment of the project area.- Coordinated implementation of project, including: selected 200 ha of degraded forest or agricultural land for inclusion into Phase 1 of the project and secured contracts with farmers; led individual plot design for a total of 40 farms; directed the implementation of two pilot projects with timber and cocoa plantations.

Pietermaritzburg Area, South Africa

- Led research project to analyze the relationship between farming practices and land degradation in a communal (common property rights) watershed.- Implemented an integrated quantitative and qualitative research study; conducted stakeholder surveys and interviews with farmers and community members on land use, land management and farming practices.- Developed an aerial photography analysis with ArcGIS to show (i) the spatial and temporal extent of land degradation and (ii) the land cover changes.- Developed and tested land conservation and rehabilitation strategies to address land degradation in the watershed and to restore ecosystem services.

Tunisia

- Led the introduction of new practices to conserve ecosystems and the implementation of new economic activities to improve livelihoods.- Worked on two different agro-forestry irrigated systems (Oasis) and through outreach supported a Water User Association composed of 120 farmers; managed a team of 3 technicians.- Led qualitative research, stakeholder interviews with policy makers and farmers on land and water management and farming practices; worked on project cycle management (e.g. diagnosis, planning and implementation).

Rennes Area, France

- Planned, organised and supervised the analysis of a research project on the spatiotemporal evolution of the hydrodynamics properties of an Armorican muddy soil with conventional and conservation farming practices (tillage and no-tillage modalities).- Coordinated a team of 6 technicians; participated in collecting, processing and analyzing soil samples; analyzed data and wrote scientific report.

Master Of Science - Ms, Geo-Information Science And Remote Sensing

Master Of Science - Ms, Agrarian Tropical Systems

Maîtrise, Integrated Watershed Management

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Environmental Science

2 Years Level, Agronomy