Copernicus4regions 2018

→ THE EVER GROWING USE OF COPERNICUS
ACROSS EUROPE’S REGIONS

A selection of 99 user stories by local and regional authorities
d Agriculture,
Transports,
Territorial
Civil Civil
Protection Biodiversity
Public
Climate, Water and
Health Territorial
Cultural
Civil Protection Climate, Water
Agriculture,
Food, Forestry
Infrastructure
Management Environmental
and Energy Management
Heritage, and Energy
Food, Forestry
and
and
and Fisheries
Safety
Urban Protection and Urbanand
Tourism and Fisheries
Planning Planning
Leisure
A selection of xx user stories by local and regional authorities | 1

→ THE EVER GROWING USE OF COPERNICUS
ACROSS EUROPE’S REGIONS
A selection of 99 user stories by local and regional authorities
A selection of xx user stories by local and regional authorities | 1

Dear Reader, In June, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Baveno Manifesto, which
called for a long-term commitment for the development of a space-based system
We, the European Commission, the European Space Agency and NEREUS –
to support EU policies and Europe’s international endeavours in protecting
the Network of European Regions Using Space Technologies, are pleased to
the environment, adapting to global climate change, enforcing sustainable
present the publication “The Ever Growing Use of Copernicus across Europe’s
development and ensuring civil security. Putting European public users in the
Regions”, a collection of articles which document, for a non-specialist audience,
driving seat, and recognising their pivotal role in stimulating and shaping the
the growing capabilities of European regions to benefit from Copernicus
downstream market, the Programme is a clear example of European cooperation
Sentinel data and information.
at its best.
This edition builds upon the 2012 publication “The Growing Use of GMES across
Copernicus is achieving its operational maturity. The European Commission, the
Europe’s Regions” and provides an updated snapshot of how Copernicus is being
European Space Agency and NEREUS will continue to improve its uptake within
used, primarily by public authorities at local and regional levels, six years on.
Europe’s regions, yet the Programme is now speaking for itself as a decision-
Since 2012, the system has significantly evolved and, with seven Copernicus
making tool in a broad range of application domains. The public officers, private
Sentinel satellites and six Copernicus Services in operation and with planning
companies and researchers who contributed to this collection provide
for the future well underway, data availability has expanded tremendously.
tangible accounts that the Copernicus-based information is now diffusing
Awareness and understanding about the Programme have also increased and a
into society. In doing so, they are amongst the best testimonials of the
refined set of activities has been put in place to stimulate the emergence of new
Programme: We are confident you will recognise this whilst going through the
Copernicus-based services and products.
pages of “The Ever Growing Use of Copernicus across Europe’s Regions”.
The current publication portrays 99 Copernicus user stories submitted by authors
We wish you a pleasant reading,
from almost all of the Copernicus Participating Countries. The geographical
and structural diversity of the examples collected here demonstrate that,
from brownfield mapping in Wallonia to afforestation monitoring in Thuringia,
from public utility management in Milan to farmland monitoring in Lithuania,
Copernicus is truly a shared system producing common benefits across Europe. Philippe Brunet Dr. Josef Aschbacher Michele Emiliano
These articles also show that, in parallel to its global and EU-wide dimension,
Director of Copernicus, Director of Earth Observation NEREUS President
Copernicus is increasingly bringing concrete benefits to the daily lives of our
Space Policy and Defence Programmes
citizens. With respect to the 2012 edition, local and regional administrations
form a much larger group, pursuant to their responsibilities in key public European Commission European Space Agency
policy domains and mandatory EU directives for which Copernicus provides (DG-GROW)
relevant information, e.g. agriculture, regional development and environmental
management. Their stories collectively testify to the Programme’s contribution
in modernising the public sector and enabling it to deliver more efficient
public services, thereby contributing to an increased quality of life and level
of satisfaction for European citizens.
Cloud-free Europe
This OLCI mosaic of cloud-free images from the Copernicus
Sentinel-3A satellite spans the entire continent of Europe, and more.
The 3 main instruments on board the Sentinel-3 satellite support global
monitoring of the environment over land and oceans, providing regular
measurements of surface temperatures, sea-surface and land-ice
topography, sea and land colour data.
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2017), processed by Sinergise/ESA

4 | → THE EVER GROWING USE OF COPERNICUS ACROSS EUROPE’S REGIONS A selection of xx user stories by local and regional authorities | 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copernicus in a nutshell 18 Reinforcing the Common Agriculture Policy 54

ARMESTO ANDRÉS, Ana Pilar; LAFARGA ARNAL, Alberto;
Copernicus Sentinels in a nutshell 19 PETALIOS, Dimitrios; PAPOUTSIS, Ioannis; SITOKONSTANTINOU, Vasileios
Copernicus progress since the 2012 edition 20 Sentinels for Flood and Yield Loss Mapping 56
Introduction 22 ATSTAJA, Zane; IJABS, Harijs; GRINEVICS, Juris
Copernicus User Stories Geographic Index: Sentinels Verify Agricultural Subsidies 58

main areas of application as described in the user stories 29 VOORMANSIK, Kaupo; RAUDVERE, Kai
A Farmsourcing Platform for a Smart Nitrogen Management 60

AGRICULTURE, FOOD, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES CURNEL, Yannick; GOFFART, Dimitri; PLANCHON, Viviane;
GOFFART, Jean-Pierre; DELLOYE, Cindy; DEFOURNY, Pierre
Introduction 36
A New Detailed Crop and Natural Land Map 62
Overview 38 NAFRÍA, David A.; DEL BLANCO, Vicente; PAREDES, Vanessa;
RODRÍGUEZ, Óscar O.; BENGOA, José L.
Agriculture CAP Subsidies Control 42
VAITKUS, Gediminas Closing the Yield Gap with Calibrated Crop Maps from Germany 64
HUETTICH, Christian; DAHMS, Thorsten; CONRAD, Christopher et al.
Agricultural Damage Mapping in Hungary 44
NÁDOR, Gizella; FRIEDL, Zoltán; ROTTERNÉ KULCSÁR, Anikó; Copernicus Supports Precision Farming for an Apulian Vineyard 66
HUBIK, Irén; PACSKÓ, Vivien; SUREK, György IASILLO, Daniela; RIEU, Guillaume; PALUMBO, Giuseppe
Agriculture Monitoring Using Sentinel Images 46 Copernicus for Efficient Farming in the Western Cape of South Africa 68
LUCAU-DANILA, Cozmin; BERIAUX, Emilie; LETEINTURIER, Béatrice GOUDRIAAN, Ruben
Copernicus Data and CAP Monitoring in Romania 48 Crop Condition Monitoring at Field Level 70
FLUERARU, Cristian; CUCU-DUMITRESCU, Catalin; GHAZARYAN, Gohar; DUBOVYK, Olena; GRAW, Valerie;
BUDILEANU, Marius; COPACENARU, Olimpia; SERBAN Florin KUSSUL, Nataliia; SCHELLBERG, Jürgen
Earth Observation Data to Detect Irrigated Areas: EO-Based Agro Monitoring System
an Application in Southern Italy 50 to Support Regional Decision-Making 72
DE MICHELE, Carlo; FALANGA BOLOGNESI, Salvatore; BELFIORE, Oscar Rosario GRANELL, Carlos; CASTELEYN, Sven; BUSETTO, Lorenzo; PASCUCCI, Simone;
GARCÍA-HARO, Javier; GITAS, Ioannis; HOLECZ, Francesco;
Earth Observation for Smart Farming and CAP Performance 52
et al.
MARIANOS, Nikolaos; KALATZIS, Nikolaos; SYKAS, Dimitrios
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Free Internet Programme for Farmers 74 Forestland Decay in Maresme Using Sentinel-2 Imagery 94
HØRFARTER, Rita TARDA, Anna; PINEDA, Lydia; PALA’, VicenÇ; CORBERA, Jordi; PEREZ, Fernando
Precision Farming: Management of Grasslands 76 Operational Afforestation Monitoring 96

NICOLAS, Hervé; DUSSEUX, Pauline; AIRIAUD, Alain SAGISCHEWSKI, Herbert; STELMASZCZUK-GÓRSKA, Martyna
The Challenge of Irrigation Management in Cyprus Remote Sensing for Garajonay National Park Management 98
Using Copernicus 78 GUILLÉN-CLIMENT, Maria Luz; ALGEET-ABARQUERO, Nur;
PAPOUTSA, Christiana; KOUTA, Georgia; NISANTZI, Argiro; RANZ Pedro; TOMÉ, Jose Luis; YÁÑEZ, Lucía
MAMOURI, Rodanthi-Elisavet; PRODROMOU, Maria; LOULLI, Eleni;
et al. Satellites Monitor Forest Changes in Finland 100
NORPPA, Joni; HUOTARI, Rosanna
Using Satellite Maps to Support Variable Rate Fertilisation 80
BUSETTO, Lorenzo; PASCUCCI, Simone; GARCIA-HARO, Javier; Sentinel-Based Azores Regional Forest Inventory 102
KATSANTONIS, Dimitris; GITAS, Ioannis; HOLECZ, Francesco; GIL, Artur; FERNÁNDEZ, Manuel; ISIDORO, Anabela;
et al. MEDEIROS, Vasco; PACHECO, João Luís.
Maritime Monitoring for the Conservation of the UK Marine Resources 82 Unique Satellite-Derived Forestry Insight for DEFRA 104
SNAPIR, Boris; BIERMANN, Lauren VALLINGS, Tim
Copernicus Supports Forest Monitoring

BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources 84
RIEU, Guillaume; THOLEY, Nadine; HAOUET, Sadri Introduction 106
Earth Observation Serving Regional Foresters 86 Overview 108
MEYER, Colette; CASPARD, Mathilde; GIRAUD, Henri;
ANCEL, Pascal; BAUMEISTER, Maren Actionable Geoinformation on Burnt Areas 110
AIELLO, Antonello; MODESTI, Fabio; MATTIA, Chiara; BARBIERI, Vincenzo
EO Based Service for Forest Management 88
HOSCILO, Agata; LEWANDOWSKA, Aneta; KONIECZNY, Adam; Analysis of Forest Fire Effects with Sentinel 112
MROCZEK, Krzysztof; KULIK, Sylwester COCO, Celso
Forest Health Monitoring: an Application in Portugal 90 A Space-Based Solution for Oil Spill Detection 114
JOZEFIAK, Maria; AAS, Christina MOUMTZIDOU, Anastasia; ORFANIDIS, Giorgos; ANDREADIS, Stelios;
IOANNIDIS, Kostas; GIALAMPOUKIDIS, Ilias; VROCHIDIS, Stefanos;
Forest Monitoring Service for South Tyrol 92 KOMPATSIARIS, Ioannis
SONNENSCHEIN, Ruth; UNTERTHINER, Guenther
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copernicus Sentinel Data for Local Scale Conservation Activities 116 Regional Flood Monitoring with Sentinels Data 136
POURSANIDIS, Dimitris; BARNIAS, Antonios; LYMBERAKIS, Petros; THOLEY, Nadine; MAXANT, Jerome; STUDER, Mathias; DE FRAIPONT, Paul
GIAMBERINI, Mariasilvia; CHRYSOULAKIS, Nektarios
The Potential of a Pre-Commercial Procurement Approach
Earth Observation and Partnerships In Earth Observation 138
to Support Land Use Management 118 LOURENÇO VIEIRA, Fábio A.; DOUKOUDAKI, Eleonora; PAPADOPOULOU, Eirini;
MURO, Javier; THONFELD, Frank; STEINBACH, Stefanie; THOMOPOULOS, Stelios C.A.; ASTYAKOPOULOS, Alkis;
LEEMHUIS, Constanze; DACONTO, Giuseppe; GAMES, Ian
Tree Species Mapping with Multitemporal Sentinel-2 Data 140
Enabling Earth Observation for Protected Areas 120 IMMITZER, Markus; NEUWIRTH, Martin; BÖCK, Sebastian;
LUCAS, Richard; BLONDA, Palma; BUSTAMANTE, Javier; DIAZ-DELGADO, Ricardo; VUOLO, Francesco; ATZBERGER, Clement; BRENNER, Harald;
GIAMBERINI, Mariasilvia; KORDELAS, Georgios; GONCALVES, Joao; et al. GREISBERGER, Herbert
EO for Biotope-Type Mapping in the Alpine Zone in Austria 122 Wetland Functional Assessment 142
STRASSER, Thomas; LANG, Stefan; LUIDOLD, Anna Katharina; EGGER, Gregory; et al. HUBERT-MOY, Laurence; RAPINEL, Sébastien; POTTIER, Eric;
MONY, Cendrine; BELLANGER, Aurélien
How Could Copernicus Data Support Grassland Conservation? 124
JAKOVELS, Dainis; BRAUNS, Agris; FILIPOVS, Jevgenijs; TASKOVS, Juris; et al.
CLIMATE, WATER AND ENERGY
Improving Coastal Ecosystem Benefits Under Increasing Pressure 126
ZIEMBA, Alexander; WANKE, Sonja; GIAMBERINI, Silvia; EL SERAFY, Ghada Introduction 144
Making Seagrasses Great Again 128 Overview 146

TRAGANOS, Dimosthenis; POURSANIDIS, Dimitris; REINARTZ, Peter;
Earth Observation and the Coastal Zone:
CHRYSOULAKIS, Nektarios
from Global Images to Local Information 148
Mapping Burned Areas Using Sentinel-2 Images 130 VRIES, Mindert de; MOELLER, Iris; PERALTA, Gloria; MORRIS, Edward; STANICA, Adrian;
STAVRAKOUDIS, Dimitris; STEFANIDOU, Alexandra; MINAKOU, Chara; SCRIECIU, Albert; VAN WESENBEECK, Bregje; VAN DER WAL, Daphne
GITAS, Ioannis; KAPETANIOS, Antonios
Keeping Track of Retreating Glaciers in Iceland 150
Monitoring Coastal Waters in Near Real-Time 132 KRISTINSSON, Gunnar H; HELGASON, Jóhann
BOLLANOS, Stelios; SPASTRA, Yiota; TSIPELIS, Serafim
New Level of Baltic Sea Monitoring Using Sentinel-3 Data 152
Monitoring Mountain Grassland to Sustain Wild Herbivores 134 FRANCZAK, Waldemar
GIAMBERINI, Mariasilvia; PROVENZALE, Antonello; IMPERIO, Simona;
Satellite Imagery for Improved Coastal Management 154
BANESCHI, Ilaria; VITERBI, Ramona
CAPO, Sylvain; PAGES, Magali
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Satellite Monitoring of Suspended Particulate Matter 156 How Copernicus Supports the Energy Transition 178
LACAVA, Teodosio; DI POLITO, Carmine; CIANCIA, Emanuele; FRANKE, Jonas; LESSING, Rolf; HAMPEL, Milenka; KONETSCHNY, Claudia;
DOXARAN, David; PERGOLA, Nicola; SATRIANO, Valeria; TRAMUTOLI, Valerio SCHMID, Tobias; RICHTER, Silke; HILL, Achim
Sentinel-2 Supports Coastal Management

for Optimised Decision Making 158 TERRITORIAL MANAGEMENT AND URBAN PLANNING
CABALLERO, Isabel; NAVARRO, Gabriel; HUERTAS, Emma; RUIZ, Javier
Introduction 180
Space-Based Approach to Monitoring Peatland Restoration 160 Overview 182
SNELLING, Matthew James; OSBORNE, Christopher
Change Detection Analysis on Walloon Brownfield Sites 184
Tracking Algal Blooms on the Curonian Lagoon 162 HALLOT, Eric Jean; BEAUMONT, Benjamin Jean; CLOSE, Odile Marie;
VAICIUTE, Diana; BRESCIANI, Mariano; GIARDINO, Claudia;
COLLART, Catherine; STEPHENNE, Nathalie
BUCAS, Martynas; PAPADAKIS, Dimitri; LAANEN, Marnix; HOMMERSOM, Annelies
Copernicus for Lys Basin Water Management 186
Tracking Storms and Hurricanes Using SAR Images 164 BOSC, Christelle; CHADOURNE-FACON, Lucie; DUVERNEY, Sarah;
HUSSON, Romain; MOUCHE, Alexis; BELLEC, Nicolas; MONBET, Philippe BATTISTON, Stéphanie; CLANDILLON, Stephen
A View of Your Inland Waterways from Space 166 Diognasing the Burjassot Urban Drainage System 188
BRESCIANI, Mariano; GIARDINO, Claudia; HOMMERSOM, Annelies; LOPEZ-BAEZA, Ernesto; ALBERO-PERALTA, Erika; RIVERO-MORO, Carlos;
PAPADAKIS, Dimitri CATALAN-ALCOBER, Domingo Jose; BAUR, Tom; BANSAL, Rahul
Don’t Pour Money Down the Drain -Fix It! 168 Enabling Periodic Downstream Services
SØRENSEN, Carlo Sass; HOLMEGAARD, Lars N; DAMGAARD, Thomas via User-Friendly Data Grabbing 190
CERESI, Andrea; GOFFI, Alessia; RANGHETTI, Luigi; BUSETTO, Lorenzo;
Global Real Time Online Water Quality Mapping 170
STROPPIANA, Daniela; BORDOGNA, Gloria; BOSCHETTI, Mirco;
ZLINSZKY, András; SUPAN, Peter; ZOBEL, Marc; KOMA, Zsófia
BRIVIO, Pietro Antonio; PEPE, Monica; ANTONINETTI, Massimo;
Informing Water Resource Managers in Sardinia 172 STERLACCHINI, Simone
LATORRE ARAVENA, Carolina Patricia; FUHREN, Hanno;
Local Copernicus Demonstrator in Brittany 192
TZIMAS, Apostolos; ROMAS, Evangelos
JAGAILLE, Marie; BELLEC, Nicolas; MORICE, Jonathan; PHUNG, Fabrice
Monitoring Groundwater Flooding in Ireland Using Sentinel-1 SAR 174
A Platform for Mapping Territories by Satellite in the Indian Ocean 194
NAUGHTON, Owen; MCCORMACK, Ted; BRADFORD, Rebecca; MCATEER, James
TESSIER, Pierre; et al.
Water Bodies Detection on a Portal 176
Measures of Surface Movements in Catalonia Using Sentinel-1 Data 196
IVAČIČ, Matjaž; KOKAJL, Ziga
MORA, Oscar; et al.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Storytelling Tool for a Forest Fire in Yeste, Albacete (Spain) 198 Copernicus Helping Civil Protection 220
AREVALO TORRES, Juan; PASSARELLO, Gloria; AMEZTOY, Iban; CARIDADE, Pedro Jorge; GOUVEIA-CARIDADE, Carla; CARIDADE, Paulo J.S.B.
LOPES BARBOSA, Ana.
EO Integrated Approach for Pluvial Flood Management 222
Copernicus Data Used to Understand Landscape VASSILEV, Vassil; TSVETKOVA, Nadya
Historical Transformations 200
PREVITALI, Mattia; MAZZETTI, Paolo; NATIVI, Stefano; LATRE, Miguel Ángel Monitoring Landslide Risks in Urban Areas 224
LA MANTIA, Claudio; MELI, Concetta; STAMILLA, Salvatore
Copernicus Helps Prague Plan the City of the Future 202
ČTYROKÝ, Jiří; BRADOVÁ, Eliška; MAKOVSKÝ, Lukáš New Frontier for Emergency Response: Satellite Data 226
ROMANO, Giuseppe; NOCENTE, Valentina; FRITTELLI, Stefano
EO for Sustainable Urban Planning 204
BEAUMONT, Benjamin; HALLOT, Eric; CLOSE, Odile; WOLFF, Eléonore; Sentinel-1 Monitors Geohazards to Secure Citizens’ Homes 228
POELMANS, Lien; STEPHENNE, Nathalie BAKON, Matus; CZIKHARDT, Richard; PAPCO, Juraj
Modelling and Forecasting Urban Population Patterns 206 The Phlegrean Fields Caldera: a History of Deformation 230
CASU, Francesco; BONANO, Manuela; CASTALDO, Raffaele; DE LUCA, Claudio;
GRIPPA, Tais; FORGET, Yann; LOPEZ, Juan-Francisco; VANHUYSSE, Sabine;
DE NOVELLIS, Vincenzo; LANARI, Riccardo; MANUNTA, Michele; MANZO, Mariarosaria;
WOLFF, Eléonore; SHIMONI, Michal; LINARD, Catherine; GILBERT, Marius; TATEM, Andrew
PEPE, Susi; SOLARO, Giuseppe; TIZZANI, Pietro; ZINNO, Ivana
Monitor Urban Areas and Green Infrastructures 208
LEFEBVRE, Antoine; BOURIAU, Emmanuel Use of Copernicus Emergency Management Service
During Sleet in Slovenia 232
Urban Growth Monitoring with Copernicus Data 210 BANOVEC JUROŠ, Katja
THOLEY, Nadine; CASPARD, Mathilde; GASTAL, Vera; DE FRAIPONT, Paul
Wildfire Management on the Croatian Territory 234
NEVISTIĆ, Zvonimir; BAČIĆ, Željko
CIVIL PROTECTION
Introduction 212 TRANSPORTS, CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY
Overview 214 Introduction 236
Burnt Area Mapping at Provincial Level Using Sentinel Imagery 216 Overview 238
BOCCARDO, Piero; CASTELLETTI, Ottavio; GENNARI, Marco;
GIULIO TONOLO, Fabio; SANDU, Constantin; VASSILEVA, Magdalena; A Village Stricken by Terrain Movements 240
VETTORETTI, Massimo THOLEY, Nadine; MAXANT, Jerome; IASILLO, Daniela; DE FRAIPONT, Paul
Copernicus Data Give Prospects 218 Copernicus Sentinels Help Vessel Traffic Monitoring 242
MISIRLOGLOU, Simos; VAKKAS, Theodoros VLAD SANDRU, Maria Ioana; RADUTU, Alina; NEDELCU, Ion; POENARU, Violeta
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Improving Snow Avalanche Forecasting 244 Protection of European Cultural Heritage from Geo-Hazards 266
ECKERSTORFER, Markus; MALNES, Eirik; VICKERS, Hannah; MÜLLER, Karsten; BEE, Emma Jayne; CROSTA, Giovanni; FRATTINI, Paolo;
ENGESET, Rune; HUMSTAD, Tore FERNANDEZ MERODO, Jose Antonio; HARRISON, Anna May; et al.
Monitoring the Health of Water and Sewerage Networks 246

MASSIMI, Vincenzo; FORENZA, Giuseppe; ALISCIONI, Andrea
List of Entities authoring the Copernicus User Stories 270
Satellite-Based Maritime Surveillance Services in Europe 248
KERBAOL, Vincent; GARELLO, René; BELLEC, Nicolas; MONBET, Philippe Acknowledgments 276
Smartphone Application Delivering Meteo-Marine Data Panel of Reviewers 277

to the Public 250
DRAGO, Aldo
PUBLIC HEALTH
Introduction 252
Overview 254
An Air-Quality-App for Germany 256

BÄR, Jewgenia; DAUERT, Ute
Mapping Real-Time Airborne Particle Pollution 258

KAZANTZIDIS, Andreas; KOSMOPOULOS, Georgios; SALAMALIKIS, Vasilios;
TZOUMANIKAS, Panagiotis; KATSIDIMAS, Kostantinos
CULTURAL HERITAGE, TOURISM AND LEISURE
Introduction 260
Overview 262
Monitoring Heritage at Risk with Sentinel-2 264

TAPETE, Deodato; CIGNA, Francesca
Copernicus in a nutshell Copernicus Sentinels in a nutshell
Previously called GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), Copernicus is the The Copernicus Sentinel satellites are a family of Earth Observation space missions specifically
EU-led programme looking at our planet in support of the environment and emergency developed by ESA for the Copernicus Programme. Since April 2014, 7 satellites have been
management for the ultimate benefit of all European citizens. launched and have started delivering data to support various applications. Additional satellites of
the family are being progressively launched, targeting the full operational deployment by 2020.
Copernicus supports a broad range of environmental and security applications, including climate
change monitoring, sustainable development, transport and mobility, regional and local planning, Learn more at https://sentinels.copernicus.eu
maritime surveillance, agriculture and health.
Copernicus places a world of insight about our planet at the disposal of citizens, public authorities
and policy makers, scientists, entrepreneurs and businesses. Copernicus data and information
are made available on a full, free and open basis.
Learn more at www.copernicus.eu
Copernicus builds on Earth observations from space (both from dedicated and contributing
missions) and from terrestrial and aerial sensors (in situ measurements). sentinel-1 sentinel-2 sentinel-3 sentinel-5p
carries a radar to provide carries a high-resolution carries an instrument carries a spectrometer,
Six Copernicus Services transform this wealth of observations into value-added information in all-weather, day-and-night multispectral imager package including a radar primarily to monitor global
different thematic areas by analysing the data, integrating it with other sources, processing it imagery to monitor oceans, to monitor land and altimeter, an infrared atmospheric pollution.
ice and land, and to aid vegetation cover. radiometer and an imaging
and validating the results.
emergency response. spectrometer, to monitor
Learn more at www.copernicus.eu/main/services oceans and land.
www.emergency.copernicus.eu www.climate.copernicus.eu
sentinel-4 sentinel-5 sentinel-6

is a spectrometer carried is a spectrometer carried carries a radar altimeter
on the Meteosat Third on the MetOp Second to measure global
Generation Sounder Generation satellites. sea-surface height
satellites. It is dedicated to It is dedicated to for operational
www.land.copernicus.eu www.marine.copernicus.eu monitoring air quality over monitoring global air oceanography and
Europe. quality. for climate studies.
The Copernicus Contributing Missions provide complementary data within

the Copernicus Space Component.
Learn more at https://spacedata.copernicus.eu
www.atmosphere.copernicus.eu www.copernicus.eu/main/security
18 | → THE EVER GROWING USE OF COPERNICUS ACROSS EUROPE’S REGIONS A selection of 99

xx user stories by local and regional authorities | 19
Copernicus progress since the 2012 edition
#Sentinels4regions
Marine
Environment
Monitoring
sentinel-1b
DIAS
Atmosphere
sentinel-1a Monitoring sentinel-3a sentinel-3b
2013 2015 2015 2017

2012 2014 2016 2018
sentinel-2a sentinel-2b
Copernicus
Land Monitoring EU space strategy
Regulation
EC-ESA shared vision
Climate
sentinel-5p Change
Emergency
Management Security
Copernicus
Relays
Copernicus
Academy

Introduction
The Ever Growing Use of Copernicus across Europe’s Regions showcases 99 user stories that The user stories have been submitted by authors in response to a call for papers open to
describe how public administrations across Europe are using Copernicus data and information to all Copernicus Contributing Countries4. The stories are grouped according to eight application
address their challenges and how this is positively impacting the lives of citizens. domains that are closely related to the competences of local and regional authorities (LRAs)5:
The Publication provides an update of the situation with respect to the 2012 publication “The
Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries Transports,
Transports,
Civil
Infrastructure
Civil
Infrastructure
Public
Public
Health
Health
Transports, Civil Cultural
Cultural
Public Health
Heritage,
Heritage,
Cul
Growing Use of Copernicus across Europe’s Regions”1, which portrayed 67 contributions in the
Infrastructure Her
andand
Safety
Safety and Safety Tourism
Tourismandand Tou
Leisure
Leisure Leis
Copernicus pre-operational era. The rationale behind these initiatives is that although public Biodiversity and Environmental Protection
Transports, Civil Public Health Cultural
authorities (PAs) at national, local and regional level are recognised amongst the key potential Climate, Water and Energy
Infrastructure
and Safety
Heritage,
Tourism and
Leisure
users of Copernicus2, they are not always aware or ready to exploit the programme’s potential.
Roadblocks in this respect are manifold and include insufficient awareness, lack of specific Territorial Management and Urban Planning
technical skills and/or of infrastructure as well as difficulties to modify the internal workflows Civil Protection
of the administration to integrate new solutions that are not backed-up by law3. The Copernicus
User Stories collected in this publication facilitate an interesting analysis of how and to what Tranports, Civil Infrastruture and Safety
extent these challenges are being addressed in many regions. Public Health
Cultural heritage, Tourism and Leisure
“Copernicus core users <include> Union institutions and bodies, European,
Figure 1: Distribution of the Copernicus User Stories by thematic area.
national, regional or local authorities entrusted with the definition,
implementation, enforcement or monitoring of a public service or policy in As shown in Figure 1, the number of stories per thematic area is different: around one third of
the areas of atmosphere monitoring, marine environment monitoring, land the papers describe applications in the fields of “Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries” (32),
monitoring, climate change, emergency management and security.” followed by “Biodiversity and Environmental Protection” (17) and “Climate, Water and Energy”
(16). Conversely, there are only a few papers addressing “Public Health” (2) and “Cultural
Copernicus Regulation (EU No 377/2014), Extract from Articles 2 and 3 Heritage, Tourism and Leisure” (2) that are in fact less mature fields of application for satellite
Earth observations and not within the original objectives of the Copernicus Programme. These
numbers clearly reflect the environmental vocation of Copernicus as well as the progressive
availability of the related data streams whereby e.g. Copernicus Sentinel-3 and Copernicus
Sentinel-5P have been launched only recently. However one can also see that some strategic
areas of application, such as water and energy management, seem somehow under-represented.
This also affects the kind of Copernicus data and/or information used in the different user
stories so it is not surprising, for instance, to see that the vast majority refers to data from
Sentinel-1 (mentioned in 44 user stories) and Sentinel-2 (74) whilst only a few of them (3)
1 https://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/NEREUS 4 Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
2 See Copernicus Regulation (EU No 377/2014), Articles 2 and 3 Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slove-
3 The roadblocks to the full deployment of Copernicus amongst LRAs were comprehensively analysed in a previous collabora- nia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.
tion between the ESA and NEREUS. See http://www.nereus-regions.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Brochure.pdf and 5 Other thematic areas such as global climate change (e.g. greenhouse gases) and security were not included because they
http://www.nereus-regions.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Analysis.pdf are mostly tackled at global or national scale and fall into different governance schemes.
22 | → THE EVER GROWING USE OF COPERNICUS ACROSS EUROPE’S REGIONS A selection of 99 user stories by local and regional authorities | 23
refer to the recently launched Sentinel-5P. Nevertheless, the overwhelming use of Copernicus In line with the Call core objective, the majority of the stories contained in this publication
Sentinel-2 is noticeable, and this can be attributed to the relative ease of use of the high- are related to applications deployed at sub-national level (i.e. at NUTS2/NUTS36 administrative
resolution optical imagery and its attractiveness for the LRAs’ institutional mandate especially levels) within Copernicus Contributing Countries: these stories span over 72 different regions
in relation to the management of land. Many of the stories refer to the use of products from the and/or municipalities across 24 countries. Their geographic distribution, illustrated in Figure 2,
Copernicus Land, Atmosphere, Marine and Emergency Management Services, and a few of them depicts an irregular pattern which generally reflects the maturity of the local EO community. It
address the integrated use of both, particularly for applications relating to civil protection (see is interesting to notice, alongside regions having a lasting experience in the field (e.g. Grand
for example pages 216, 220, 234). Est and Brittany in France, Lombardy in Italy, Wallonia in Belgium), the dynamism of emerging
ones (e.g. Central Macedonia in Greece, Valencia in Spain). An increasing penetration at the
regional level can also be observed in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia together with a set of
newcomer regions reporting successful trials with the use of Copernicus-based information (e.g.
in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Croatia, Slovakia, Iceland). Some of the user stories are at national
level, especially when addressing the management of agricultural subsidies (see pages 42 to 59)
or wide range air quality forecasts (see p. 256). It is also worth highlighting that many challenges
are not confined within administrative borders: satellites provide valuable tools to address these
cross-border aspects as it appears in some of the user stories, typically related to nature reserves
or disasters management (see e.g. pages 120, 130, 134, 220, 222, 256). Finally, one can figure
out the corresponding geography of the expertise in developing and handling Copernicus-based
solutions by considering the distribution of the affiliations of the Authors: these come from 28
Copernicus Contributing Countries7, possibly suggesting an increasing spread of skills across
Europe.
The publication mainly targeted cases of mature use. Yet, many of the stories are far from
this stage. As already mentioned, the integration of innovative technologies within the
routine processes of a public administration is not straightforward. Even when provided by
external entities (e.g. commercial companies) the new solutions must be customised and
validated prior to integration into the administrative processes and this frequently requires
gradual adoption through testing and ramp-up activities. Practical accounts from these
experiences are considered valuable contributions to the development of best practices in
the PAs and that is why, in the end, non-operational solutions were also included in this
publication. However, in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the maturity of
use of the described solutions, a Usage Maturity Level (UML) has been defined to be
Figure 2: Graphic representation of the regional dimension of the Copernicus User Stories within the Copernicus 6 The Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) is a classification providing a harmonised hierarchy of regions:
Contributing Countries as declared by the Authors. The different shades of blue represent the number of stories it subdivides each Member State into regions at three different levels, covering NUTS 1, 2 and 3 from larger to smaller areas.
associated to each region, with municipalities (NUTS3 levels) represented through their corresponding regions See http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/regions/background.
(NUTS2 levels) for the sake of readability. Note that only stories at NUTS2/NUTS3 level are represented in this 7 Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
map: national levels (NUTS1) are not represented, except for countries where corresponding NUTS2 levels do Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and
United Kingdom.
not exist (e.g. Iceland, Latvia, Malta...).
24 | → THE EVER GROWING USE OF COPERNICUS ACROSS EUROPE’S REGIONS xx user stories by local and regional authorities | 25
A selection of 99
self-assessed by all contributors. The results, graphically displayed in Figure 3, are encouraging: A total of 177 entities from 32 different countries have contributed to the stories presented
about 15% of the use cases have been reported as mature (UML=5), whilst less than 10% in this Publication (see p. 270). These are mostly PAs (57) but also private companies (39),
were classified in the exploration phase (UML=1). The vast majority (43%) are declared to be academia (39) and research institutes (35) that develop solutions for the PAs. When outsourcing
in the pilot / testing phase in view of further integration (UML=3). These “pre-operational” to external entities, the administrations’ competences evidently shape the research and the
solutions may possibly be incorporated within the workflow of LRAs and grow in the near market for EO and, by being proactive customers, administrations concretely help to design
future, however in the current phase their sustainability and road to the market remains vital. more effective solutions (e.g. see the example in p. 92). The collection also outlines that some
These figures can be considered a net improvement with respect to the situation in 20128, commercial Copernicus-based solutions are finally making it to the market, and this can be
when many articles described outcomes from research projects fuelled by space-related funds. largely attributed to the Copernicus open and free data policy as well as to the guarantee of its
long-term availability. Noticeably, the know-how matured in the European context also helps
The Usage Maturity Levels European companies to export their services outside the continent: a few examples are included
UML 1 The LRA has never really made use of e.g. see pages 68 and 118.
Explorer the Copernicus-based solution but it has
Overall, the comparison with respect to the 2012 edition shows that, six years on, the use of
planned ad-hoc tests to assess its potential
benefits (e.g. as a project user). Copernicus across Europe’s regions is truly “ever growing”. The enhanced number of stories and
8 UML 2 The LRA has used the Copernicus-based the enlarged geographic spread evidently reflect Copernicus evolutions and the corresponding
15
8 Ad-hoc user solution ad hoc in some specific cases but growth in the number of stakeholders and companies. Such a leap is evident not so much in
without an explicit interest to trial repeated terms of the increased number of articles, but especially in that the new stories, on average,
usage (e.g. the test followed the initiative of
show a much stronger engagement from public authorities. The manifest involvement of
single individuals within the organisation).
25 PAs in most Copernicus User Stories of the current publication demonstrates the importance
UML 3 The LRA has already used the Copernicus-
Pilot/ based solution in one or more trials and is of the political will as well as of the motivation of civil servants to overcome any technical
Experimental concretely considering its integration within roadblock. An important indicator in this respect can be taken from the increase in the number
43
tester its standard practices. of experiences that are funded outside of the space sector, which is now significant (more than
UML 4 The LRA has confidently used the half) when compared to the 2012 publication in which about two thirds of the cases were
Early Adopter Copernicus-based solution and is working financed by Copernicus, the EU Framework Programme or by the ESA. Another important aspect
Figure 3: Distribution of the Copernicus User to incorporate it as part of its processes
(e.g. update of internal procedures,
is represented by the closer link with respect to the EU Directives: across the publication, nine
Stories by Usage Maturity Levels
staffing, training...). different EU Directives9 are addressed. A note is due to highlight the case of the Common
UML 5 The LRA is using the Copernicus-based Agriculture Policy: nine user stories describe early stages of use of Copernicus by paying agencies
Operational solution and it has integrated it within its (see pages 42-63). This can be attributed to the recent reform of the Common Agriculture Policy
user standard processes. The related resources for 2021-2027 which allows satellite imagery to replace the physical visits necessary to check
(i.e. staff, budget, facilities) are allocated or
readily deployable.
and issue payments to farmers10. It can be forecasted that such stories will soon become a
recurring pattern.
9 EU Marine and Water Strategy Directive, EU Water Framework Directive, INSPIRE Directive, EU Nitrates Directive, Ambient
air Quality Directive, Cleaner Air for Europe Directive, Habitats Directive, Fauna Flora Habitat directive, and the Floods Direc-
8 In the 2012 edition, no Usage Maturity Level was defined. tive.
10 https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-policies/common-agricultural-policy/future-cap_en

Main geographic areas mentioned
in the Copernicus User Stories
The Copernicus User Stories contained in this publication collectively show that the uptake of Achaea (Αχαΐα) p. 258
Copernicus is not a solitary endeavour: it inexorably relies on collaborative joint efforts across Albacete p. 198
sectors, disciplines and political orientations. Indeed, the publication portrays a mosaic of Alps p. 92, p. 120, p. 122, p. 134,
relations – between regional directors, CEOs, researchers, mayors, engineers, developers, farmers, p. 140
etc. – where Copernicus data and information stimulates the exchange amongst professional Alsace (‘s Elsass, Elsass) p. 86, p. 136, p. 210, p. 240
user communities across application domains, offering tailored solutions to global challenges Alta Murgia National Park (Parco Nazionale dell' Alta Murgia) p. 110
tweaked at local level. In this respect, the emergence of grassroots initiatives and bottom-up Andalusía (Andalucía) p. 158
approaches to the use of Copernicus data and information amongst public users provides an Aosta Valley (Valle d' Aosta) p. 120, p. 134
interesting element which accompanies the panorama of regulatory and support measures
Apamea p. 264
implemented by the European Commission to improve Copernicus user uptake: the example of
Apulia (Puglia) p. 66, p. 110
volunteering civil servants creating working groups which operate across departments (p. 192)
Austria (Österreich) p. 122, p. 140
is a valuable mechanism in terms of internal public sector innovation.
Azores Archipelago (Açores) p. 102, p. 138
In conclusion, The Ever Growing Use of Copernicus across Europe’s Regions intends to serve Balaton Lake p. 170
as a practical handbook illustrating the variety of Copernicus uses as well as the processes Baltic Sea p. 152, p. 162
that lead a public administration to develop and use a space-based product and/or service. Bas-Rhin p. 136, p. 240
The descriptions of how public authorities are starting (or trying to) to rely on services and
Basilicata p. 156
solutions derived from Copernicus data and information can be helpful to tackle challenges that
Belgium (België, Belgique, Belgien) p. 46, p. 60, p. 184, p. 204
are common across different administrations and provide valuable accounts hopefully paving the
Bolzano (Bolzano/Bozen) p. 92
way towards an ever growing community of Copernicus users.
Brittany (Bretagne) p. 142, p. 164, p. 192, p. 208,
p. 248
Bulgaria (България) p. 222
The editorial committee: Roya Ayazia, Ilaria d’Auriaa, Alessandra Tassab and Julien Turpinc
Burjassot p. 188
a
NEREUS Buzău County (Județul Buzău) p. 48
b
European Space Agency Camargue National Park (Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue) p. 120
Campania p. 50, p. 226, p. 230
c
European Commission
Canary Islands (Islas Canarias) p. 98
Castile and León (Castilla y León) p. 62, p.112
Castile-La Mancha (Castilla-La Mancha) p. 198
Catalonia (Cataluña; Catalunya; Catalonha) p. 94, p. 196
Central Denmark Region (Midtjylland) p. 168
Central Greece (Στερεά Ελλάδα) p. 52
Central Macedonia (Κεντρική Μακεδονία) p. 52, p. 80, p. 218
Central Portugal (Região Centro) p. 90, p. 220
Central Transdanubia (Közép-Dunántúl) p. 170

Coimbra (Região de Coimbra) p. 220 Hungary (Magyarország) p. 44, p. 170
Couesnon Marshes (Marais du Couesnon) p. 142 Iceland (Ísland) p. 150
County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe) p. 174 Ionian Sea p. 156
Crete (Κρήτη) p. 116, p. 128 Ireland (Éire) p. 174
Croatia (Hrvatska) p. 234 Italy (Italia) p. 50, p. 66, p. 72, p. 80,
Curonian Lagoon (Kuršių marios) p. 162 p. 92, p. 110, p. 120, p. 134,
p. 156, p. 166, p. 172, p. 190,
Cyprus (Κύπρος) p. 78, p. 130, p. 266
p. 200, p. 216, p. 224, p. 226,
Cyrene p. 264 p. 230, p. 246, p. 250, p. 266
Czech Republic (Česká Republika) p. 202 Kyiv Oblast (Київська область) p. 70
Danube River p. 222, p. 242 Kilombero Wetlands (Wilaya ya Kilombero) p. 118
Demmin p. 64 Landsbyggð p. 150
Denmark (Danmark) p. 74, p. 168 Latvia (Latvija) p. 56, p. 124
Derwent Valley p. 266 Legionowo District (Powiat Legionowski) p. 88
Devon p. 104 Lemvig (Lemvig Kommune) p. 168
Doñana National Park (Parque Nacional y Natural de Doñana) p. 120 Lesser Poland Voivodeship Province (Małopolskie) p. 88
Eastern Latvia (Latgale) p. 56 Lithuania (Lietuva ) p. 42, p. 54, p. 162, p. 166
Epirus Region (Ήπειρος) p. 132 Lochviller (Lochwiller, Lochweiler) p. 240
Estonia (Eesti ) p. 58, p. 166 Łódz Voivodeship (Łódzkie) p. 88
Finland (Suomi) p. 100, p. 166 Lombardy (Lombardia) p. 72, p. 166, p. 190, p. 200,
France p. 76, p. 84, p. 86, p. 120, p. 246
p. 136, p. 142, p. 154, p. 164, Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) p. 140
p. 186, p. 192, p. 194, p. 208, Lys Basin p. 186
p. 210, p. 240, p. 248
Madagascar p. 194
Friesland p. 126
Malta p. 250
Garajonay National Park (Parque Nacional de Garajonay) p. 98
Maresme p. 94
Germany (Deutschland) p. 64, p. 96, p. 178, p. 256,
Mazovia Province (Mazowieckie) p. 88
Gran paradiso National Park (Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso) p. 120, p. 134
Mecklenburg-West Pomerania (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) p. 64
Grand Est p. 86, p. 136, p. 210, p. 240
Mediterranean Sea p. 114, p. 128, p. 132, p. 156
Greece (Ελλάδα) p. 52, p. 54, p. 80, p. 114,
p. 116, p. 128 p. 130, p. 132, Milan (Milano) p. 246
p. 218, p. 258 Navarre (Navarra, Nafarroa) p. 54
Groningen p. 126 North Aegean (Περιφέρεια Βορείου Αιγαίου) p. 114
Guadalquivir (río Guadalquivir) p. 158 North Holland (Noord-Holland) p. 126
Haut-Rhin p. 210 North Sea p. 82, p. 126
Hauts de France (les Hauts-de-France) p. 186 Northern Hungary (Észak-Magyarország) p. 44

Northern Portugal (Região Norte) p. 90 The Netherlands (Nederland) p. 126, p. 148, p. 166
Norway (Norge) p. 74, p. 90, p. 244 Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) p. 218
Nouvelle-Aquitaine p. 154 Thuringia (Thüringen) p. 96
Nowy Targ p. 88 Transdanubia (Dunántúl) p. 170
Occitanie (Occitanie) p. 84, p. 186 Trenčín Region (Trenčiansky kraj) p. 228
Patras (Πάτρα) p. 258 Trier (Trier) p. 178
Pays de Dol et de la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel p. 142 Troms p. 244
Pays de la Loire p. 76 Turin (Torino) p. 216
Phlegrean Fields (Campi Flegrei) p. 230 Umbria p. 166
Piedmont (Piemonte) p. 120, p. 134, p. 216 United Kingdom p. 82, p. 104, p. 160, p. 166,
Poland (Polska) p. 88, p. 152 p. 266
Pomerania (Pomolske) p. 152 Valencia p. 72, p. 188
Portugal (Portugal) p. 90, p. 102, p. 138, p. 220 Vidzeme (Vidžemé) p. 124
Prague (Praha) p. 202 Vienna (Wien) p. 140
Pyrenees p. 84 Vilnius p. 42
Reunion Island (Ile de la Réunion) p. 194 Viseu Dão-Lafões p. 220
Romania (România) p. 48, p. 242 Wadden Sea p. 126
Salzburg p. 122 Wallonia (Wallonie) p. 46, p. 184, p. 204
Samaria National Park (Φαράγγι Σαμαριάς) p. 116, p. 128 Western Greece (Δυτική Ελλάδα) p. 258
Sardinia (Sardegna) p. 172 West Jutland (Vestjylland) p. 168
Sertã p. 90 Western Transdanubia (Nyugat-Dunántúl) p. 170
Sicily (Sicilia) p. 224, p. 250 Western Cape of South Africa p. 68
Slovakia (Slovensko) p. 228 Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve (Biosphärenpark Wienerwald) p. 140
Slovenia (Slovenija) p. 176, p. 232 Yeste p. 198
South East Romania (Sud-Est Romania) p. 48 Yorkshire p. 160
South Holland (Zuid-Holland) p. 148

South Muntenia (Sud-Muntenia) p. 48, p. 242
South Tyrol (Südtirol - Alto Adige) p. 92
Southern Transdanubia (Dél-Dunántúl) p. 170
Spain (España) p. 54, p. 62, p. 72, p. 80,
p. 94, p. 98, p. 112, p. 158,
p. 188, p. 196, p. 198, p. 266
Split-Dalmatia County (Splitsko-dalmatinska županija) p. 234
Sweden (Sverige) p. 74

Antarctica Peninsula from Sentinel-1A
Acquired on 13 April 2014 at 23:57 GMT (14 April at 01:57 CEST) by
Sentinel-1A, this image shows a transect over the northern part of
the Antarctica Peninsula. The colours indicate how the land, ice and
water reflect the radar signal differently. The Antarctica region with its
mountainous peninsula has been experiencing warming over recent
decades. Polar ice melting is one of the most visible demonstrations of
the effects of climate change and it is thus critical that it is monitored
comprehensively and in a sustained manner. Earth Observation
satellites, including Copernicus Sentinels, are monitoring the changes
in this remote area of the world.
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2014), processed by ESA

Agriculture, Biodiversity and Territorial Climate, Water Civil Protection
Food, Forestry Environmental Management and Energy
and and Fisheries Protection and Urban
Planning
AGRICULTURE, FOOD, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
Agriculture and fisheries form the basis of our food supply. Agriculture, fisheries and forestry are
key components of our biosphere and constitute key economic sectors for most European regions.
Taken together, agricultural land and forests represent around 85% of land cover in the European
Union. When it comes to fisheries and aquaculture production, the European Union is the fifth
largest producer worldwide. These sectors also play a crucial role in employment: for example, in
certain European coastal communities as many as half of the local jobs are in the fishing sector.
However, sustainable food production and resources exploitation are increasingly being subject
to various threats, linked to anthropogenic pressure, climate change and intensive exploitation
practices. As population increases and climatic patterns change, so does the spatial distribution
of ecological zones, habitats, plant diseases and pests, with significant impacts on agriculture
and food production. Innovative solutions are needed to help tackle these increasingly global
challenges and Copernicus can support these in manifold ways. For instance, data from Sentinel-2
and from the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service can help to monitor the health status of forests
and highlight clearcuts, whilst the Marine Environment Monitoring Service forecasts can help in
modelling fish habitats to support both wild fishery and aquaculture. An example of significant
strategic importance is reflected by the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), one of the most
prominent and oldest EU policies, with the biggest share of EU spending (about 40% in 2016).
In many countries, the “second pillar” of the CAP (rural development programme) is implemented
at regional level and, because of the impact on their territory, almost all regional administrations
have this competence in their scope. Data from the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites can
support the setup of more efficient and environment-friendly agricultural practices for public
authorities, companies and farmers alike. Thus, with the aim of simplifying and modernising
the CAP, the European Commission has adopted new rules for the next CAP that, for the first
time, will expressly allow these data to be used to replace on-farm checks for determining the
Avezzano, Italy area-based CAP payments. This move is expected to contribute in reaping the full potential of
Cultivated fields in Avezzano (Italy) as captured from Copernicus Sentinel-2A on July 07, Copernicus’ deployment, and is a good example of how policy-making can impact the adoption of
2015. The varying shades of red and other colours indicate differences in vegetation cover
new technologies and foster innovation within the public sector.
and chlorophyll content.
Credit: Copernicus Sentinel data (2015)/ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
OVERVIEW OF COPERNICUS USER STORIES
Title of the Region of Main Region Relevant Usage Title of the Region of Main Region Relevant Usage
Copernicus Affiliation of the of Application Copernicus Data Maturity Copernicus Affiliation of the of Application Copernicus Data Maturity
User Story Lead Author of the User Story and Information* Level** User Story Lead Author of the User Story and Information* Level**
AGRICULTURE CAP SUBSIDIES COPERNICUS FOR EFFICIENT
Vilinus Lithuania S1, S2 3 Wageningen Western Cape
CONTROL FARMING IN THE WESTERN S2 5
(Wageningen) of South Africa
Central Hungary CAPE OF SOUTH AFRICA
AGRICULTURE DAMAGE
(Közép- Northern Hungary S1, S2 3 North Rhine-
MAPPING IN HUNGARY
Magyarország) CROP CONDITION Westphalia
Bela Tserkva S1, S2 1
AGRICULTURE MONITORING Wallonia MONITORING AT FIELD LEVEL (Nordrhein-
Wallonia S1, S2 4/5 Westfalen)
USING SENTINEL IMAGES (Wallonie)
COPERNICUS DATA AND CAP Bucharest South Muntenia, West, Valencian Community
S2 4 EO-BASED AGRO MONITORING
MONITORING IN ROMANIA (Bucharest – Ilfov) North-East, South-East Lombardy
SYSTEM TO SUPPORT Europe S1, S2 3
Central Macedonia
EARTH OBSERVATION DATA REGIONAL DECISION MAKING
(Thessaloniki, Serres)
TO DETECT IRRIGATED AREAS: Campania
Campania S2 5 FREE INTERNET PROGRAM Denmark Denmark, Norway,
AN APPLICATION IN (Campania) S2 5
SOUTHERN ITALY FOR FARMERS (Danmark) Sweden
EARTH OBSERVATION FOR PRECISION FARMING: Brittany

Attica Central Greece Pays de la Loire S2 3
SMART FARMING AND CAP (Περιφέρεια S2 3 MANAGEMENT OF GRASSLANDS (Bretagne)
Αττικής)
Central Macedonia
PERFORMANCE THE CHALLENGE OF
Cyprus
REINFORCING THE COMMON IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT IN Cyprus S2 1
Europe Navarre S2 4 (Κύπρος)
AGRICULTURE POLICY CYPRUS USING COPERNICUS
SENTINELS FOR FLOOD AND Latvia - Riga USING SATELLITE MAPS TO Lombardy - Milan Lombardy
Latvia - Latgale S1, S2 5 SUPPORT VARIABLE RATE (Lombardia - Central Macedonia S1, S2 3
YIELD LOSS MAPPING (Latvija - Riga)
FERTILIZATION Milano) Valencian Community
SENTINELS VERIFY Lääne-Viru County
Estonia S2 3 MARITIME MONITORING FOR
AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES (Lääne-Virumaa) Central
THE CONSERVATION OF THE UK North Sea S1 3
A FARMSOURCING PLATFORM Bedfordshire
Wallonia MARINE RESOURCES
FOR A SMART NITROGEN Belgium S2 3/4
(Wallonie) COPERNICUS SUPPORTS
MANAGEMENT
FOREST MONITORING FOR Occitanie
A NEW DETAILED CROP AND Occitania S2 3
Castilla Y Leon Castilla Y Leon S1, S2 4 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT (Occitanie)
NATURAL LAND MAP OF NATURAL RESOURCES
CLOSING THE YIELD GAP WITH Mecklenburg-Western EARTH OBSERVATION SERVING Alsace
Bavaria Alsace S2 4/5
CALIBRATED CROP MAPS Pomerania S1, S2, S3 3 REGIONAL FORESTERS (Alsace)
(Bayern)
FROM GERMANY (Demmin)
Mazovia Mazowieckie District
COPERNICUS SUPPORTS EO BASED SERVICE FOR
Apulia (Mazowieckie Malopolskie District S1, S2 3
THE PRECISION FARMING Apulia S2 3 FOREST MANAGNMENT
(Puglia) District Region) Lodzkie District
AN APULIAN VINEYARD
Title of the Region of Main Region Relevant Usage
Copernicus Affiliation of the of Application Copernicus Data Maturity
User Story Lead Author of the User Story and Information* Level**
Continente, Norte,
FOREST HEALTH MONITORING:
Centro, Alentejo
AN APPLICATION IN S2 4
Sor-Ostlandet,
PORTUGAL
Nord-Norge
Autonome Provinz
Bozen - Südtirol
(Provincia
FOREST MONITORING SERVICE autonoma di
South Tyrol CLMS, S2 4
FOR SOUTH TYROL Bolzano - Alto Adige)
(Provinzia
autonoma de
Bulsan - Südtirol)
FORESTLAND DECAY IN
Catalonia
MARESME USING SENTINEL-2 Catalonia S2 4
(Catalunya)
IMAGERY
Free State
OPERATIONAL AFFORESTATION
of Thuringia Free State of Thuringia CLMS, S2 5
MONITORING
(Thüringen)
REMOTE SENSING FOR
GARAJONAY NATIONAL PARK Madrid La Gomera S2 3
MANAGEMENT
SATELLITES MONITOR FOREST Uusimaa
Finland S2 4
CHANGES IN FINLAND Nyland
SENTINEL-BASED AZORES
Azores Archipelago Azores Archipelago S1, S2 3
REGIONAL FOREST INVENTORY
UNIQUE SATELLITE-DERIVED Berkshire,
FORESTRY INSIGHT FOR Buckinghamshire Devon S1, S2 5
DEFRA, UK GOVERNMENT and Oxfordshire
* Copernicus data sources mentioned in the user stories. Acronyms refer to: S1: Sentinel-1; S2: Sentinel-2; S3:
Sentinel-3; S5P: Sentinel-5P; CLMS: Copernicus Land Monitoring Service.
** The Usage Maturity Level assigned to each story has been self-assessed by the Authors. Values range from 1
(Explorer) to 5 (Operational User). For the definition, please refer to Fig. 3 in p. 26.
Regions of affiliation of the lead Author and Main region of application of the User Story as declared
by the Authors.
AGRICULTURE CAP
“ With Copernicus satellite data, AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
SUBSIDIES CONTROL farmers will no longer spend AND FISHERIES
CAPCON is a Copernicus time on declarations, but will
will increase publicity and transparency of the
downstream service of farmland receive fair payments for their whole process, exposing most of the cases of
monitoring and CAP subsidies hard work.” inappropriate farming and fraud.
control, provided to the National
Paying Agency of Lithuania since Erikas Bėrnotas, Outlook to the future
Lithuanian Paying Agency Director
2017. The CAPCON service is focused on automated
detection of the dominating crops using
thousands of confirmed field data samples, customised machine learning algorithms,
CAPCON service concept, based on per-parcel
statistical analysis of polarimetric SAR data and reaching 90% accuracy. Satellite data used adjustments of classification algorithms and
The challenge training samples corresponding to seasonal
validation with multi-spectral imagery. operationally? Any solution described here
The Lithuanian Paying Agency (NPA) has must be fully operational or pre-operational. changes in climatic conditions, automated
set a strategic target to implement a operational monitoring of farming activities on No research results, only applications should reporting on parcels not complying to their
CAP subsidies control system based on grassland to detect grass mowing period(-s) be presented. Use plain language, aim at the declared farming activities, as well as web
operational monitoring of farming activities and/or confirm the fact of livestock grazing. The general public. Avoid acronyms or technical application with thematic satellite maps and
in all declared parcels, integration of operational monitoring service was carried out jargon. ancillary information made available for the
information available in several institutional on ~1 mln. parcels larger than 0.25 ha during personnel involved in field checks. Operational
registers, active use of technologically most the entire farming season (May September) set-up of the system will enable a complete
relevant and cost-efficient remote sensing and processed a full stack of up to 100 reprocessing of the entire parcels database
services and proactive cooperation with rural Sentinel images per parcel. The Lithuanian and updating the current status records for
communities and farmers. Limited availability CAPCON service developed and successfully all parcels over 10 days intervals, based
of multi-spectral satellite data, variability implemented a series of innovative solutions on aggregated backscatter signal statistics
of natural conditions and farming practices adapted to unstable climate, environmental retrieved from all Sentinel-1 products and
is very high in the countries dominated by conditions and farming practices typical for calibrated with cloud-free Sentinel-2 images.
small households, therefore reliable detection the northern and eastern European countries. Regular parcel status updates will enable
of certain farming activities and major crops The CAPCON service is primarily based on pol- automated detection of parcels possibly not
can only be achieved with iterative machine SAR data. Sentinel-1 active sensor provided Seasonal dynamics of grassland parcel farming status complying with their declarations and trigger
a continuous supply of pol-SAR data despite with detected 2 mowing periods in 2017, as seen on standard follow-up procedures implemented
learning algorithms and reliable reference
Sentinel-1 time series. by the controlling authority.
data samples. Artificial intelligence algorithms clouded or even rainy weather conditions,
have to be sensitive to seasonal variation of whilst multispectral Sentinel-2 imagery Benefits to Citizens
crops and climatic conditions. whenever available was used for validation of
The CAPCON service would reveal the actual
SAR-based parcel status detection. The service
farming practices and enable operational
The space based solution developed automated software components
assessments of the overall farming success
In 2017 NPA signed a service contract with for building satellite data cubes and temporal
under challenging climatic conditions, minimize
GEOMATRIX UAB for a Sentinels-based CAP analysis of large image stacks, production of
the risks of false claims for subsidies, streamline
subsidies control service with per-parcel dynamic composite SAR maps and extraction of
the operational control and prevention process
monitoring and assessment of farming per-parcel pol-SAR signal statistics and trends.
and reduce the overall cost of CAP control
activities. The service elements were (1) The CAPCON Big data analytic engine is based
considerably by switching from the manual Dr. Gediminas Vaitkus
separation of arable land from grassland on automated machine learning algorithms,
on-site checks to automated and continuous GEOMATRIX uab, Lithuania
to confirm the arable land status and (2) which were developed and tested using
per-parcel monitoring of farming activities. It Email: gedas.vaitkus@gmail.com

AGRICULTURAL DAMAGE
“ Damage maps can substitute AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
MAPPING IN HUNGARY a large number of on-the-spot AND FISHERIES
Earth Observation based damage checks, leading to substantial
Outlook to the future
maps have been integrated into a cost reductions for authorities
central framework and have been The success of the current system provides
and clients likewise.” a solid basis for its further extensions. On
used in an operational manner
Hungarian Paying Agency the one hand, damage mapping is planned to
for several years now, leading to be extended to storm and hailstorm effects,
substantial cost reductions for with preliminary studies already being carried
authorities and clients alike. Sensing and Land Offices, Remote Sensing out. Furthermore, measures are being taken
Inland excess water map of Hungary based on Unit produces thematic maps of land surfaces to integrate yield loss estimations into
The challenge Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 optical images between affected by extreme water conditions and the systems of risk management and loss
14/03/2016 and 21/03/2016. drought, derived from satellite products. The compensation. In addition, the possibility of
The agriculture of Hungary – as numerous final maps are uploaded to the database of including grasslands is under consideration.
cases of the last five years have demonstrated SAR data and to the open-source Sentinel the so-called Agricultural Risk Management Nevertheless, these topics require further
– is facing an increasing number of extreme toolboxes, users can now benefit from this System. Via this framework, the maps of investigations in order to establish robust
weather conditions. The increasing rate technology. Thus, operative inland water the affected territories are available to all methodologies for the estimation of crop
and length of these events often result mapping by radar imagery becomes possible. members of the project: the Hungarian Paying yields and grassland productivity, in which
in substantial damage and loss in the Hence, a survey of the whole country was Agency, the Research Institute of Agricultural remote sensing is likely to play a major role.
Hungarian agricultural sector. Increasing risk successfully done in a few days based on Economics, the Hungarian Meteorological
factors, their implications on the area-based Sentinel-1 imagery for the period from 01– Service, the General Directorate of Water Acknowledgements
agricultural subsidies, and the large extent of 04 March 2016. Open inland excess water Management, and the Ministry of Rural The work presented in this showcase
agricultural territories affected all give reason surfaces (see an example on Figure 2) were Development. Thus, the need for on-the-spot was funded from the Agricultural Risk
for continuous monitoring via remote sensing detected with high accuracies, leading to a controls decreases, official administration Management Fund by the Ministry of
techniques, measuring the damages in both result of 88 960 hectares as a lower estimate. is reduced, and procedure deadlines are Agriculture. All Sentinel data were provided
space and time. shortened.
Benefits to Citizens free of charge by ESA in the frame of the
The space based solution Copernicus Programme. Free Landsat data
Countrywide appearance of inland excess were obtained from USGS/NASA. The authors
In the period February-March 2016, extreme water, waterlogging, spring-frost damages and are grateful for the contribution of all experts
precipitation events took place, which summer drought events collectively can affect involved.
resulted in the appearance of inland excess 30-40,000 farmers in Hungary. Obviously, it
water as well as water logging in several is impossible to provide operational real-
Hungarian counties. time ground-based observations for the
assessment of loss compensation claims.
Surveying the extent of water-affected Gizella Nádor; Zoltán Friedl; Anikó Rotterné
Thanks to the good spatial and temporal
surfaces was carried out by the use of Kulcsár; Irén Hubik; Pacskó Vivien and György
resolution of Sentinel satellite images not Map of water-affected land surfaces around Lake
optical satellite imagery from Sentinel-2 and Tisza on radar composite (VV, VH, VV/VH) (right).
only does the affected territory becomes Surek. Government Office of the Capital City
Landsat. The map in Figure 1 shows the Optical (NIR, SWIR, RED) and radar (VV, VH, VV/VH)
measureable, but the temporal evolution of Budapest, Dept. of Geodesy, Remote Sensing
results of our analysis: altogether 131,245 composites (left upper) and the derived waterlog
the events can be monitored as well. and Land Offices, Remote Sensing Unit,
hectares of water-affected areas were maps (left down).
detected countrywide. The Government Office of the Capital City Hungary
Budapest, Department of Geodesy, Remote Email: ftf@bfkh.gov.hu
With free and easy access to Sentinel-1 friedl.zoltan@bfkh.gov.hu

AGRICULTURE MONITORING
“ This application of Copernicus AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
USING SENTINEL IMAGES Sentinels will significantly AND FISHERIES
The general aim is to provide improve the way which farmers
Starting with the 2019 campaign, the results
objective and timely information are doing online aid applications will be also available and implemented for
to the Walloon authorities to help and, for the Walloon Paying the farmers.
farmers as well as to protect CAP
Agency, will help to keep the The crop identification results will be
funds. implemented in test phase during the second
Two examples of change detections inside of Land Parcel Identification System
half of 2018.
agricultural parcels based on NDVI standard deviation up-to-date and to move to the
(two crops on left side, a new road on the right side)
new checks by monitoring.” Outlook to the future
The challenge seems to be a good solution for an operational In spite of a theoretical short revisit time
Alain Istasse of Sentinel 2 satellites, due to very frequent
system.
The Walloon Paying Agency, managing General Inspector of Aids Departement
cloud cover in Belgium, for an operational
different schemes relating to the Common Since June 2017, the EU Copernicus General Direction of Agriculture, Natural
Resources and Environment Public Service
system the effective availability of images is
Agricultural Policy (CAP), is in charge of Programme provides high temporal resolution
of Wallonia very often a problem.
maintaining up-to-date the Land Parcel Sentinel 1 (S1) & Sentinel 2 (S2) satellite
Identification System (LPIS). The LPIS is the imagery. The Walloon Region is covered by The Sentinel 1 satellites, as active sensors,
main tool allowing farmers to annually declare a 3 day revisit period for S2 sensors and a 2 acquire radar images independent of
areas of cultivated fields and eventually the day revisit period for S1 sensors. meteorological conditions (cloud free). Using
ecological focus areas via Geo Spatial Aid directly radar images and some derived
The research aims to find the optimal way for
Application – (GSAA). Starting with the 2018 products (as polarimetric indices and
the implementation of derived product and
campaign, the GSAA will be mandatorily web coherence) crop type identification gives
results from high resolution Sentinel 1 & 2
based, which will increase the quality of the similar results as when using S2 optical
satellite images in the operational chain used Example of optical and SAR images used for crop type
LPIS in terms of updating. The update is the images. By using both optical and radar
by the Walloon administration. This research classifications (S2 image acquired on 26 May 2017
LPIS upkeep process that deals with the images, the results of crop types classification
is done by the Walloon Agronomical Research – RGB:4, 3, 2, S1 image acquired on 6th of May 2017
changes to the land. are improved. Different scenarios are being
Centre (CRA-W). - RGB:VH, VV, VH/VV)
developed to answer different real conditions
The space based solution Different vegetation indices are derived from would receive pre-filled declarations based on for the Walloon administration.
S2 images and used for both: what is For the Walloon administration, the
Remote Sensing (RS) is one of the ways to Acknowledgements
automation of the LPIS update would limit
update the LPIS. In Wallonia Region, each -
object based classification in order to the number of field visits to the minimum The research is included in the framework of
year, a complete aerial images cover is identify the crop type at parcel level necessary, i.e. what is not controllable with the SAGRIWASENT project founded by the
available and, being compliant with LPIS
- change detection in order to roughly spot remote sensing data and new technologies. Walloon region. The scientific partners of the
quality requirements, is used for LPIS
the parcels where the boundary have to be Moreover, the results would lead to better project are the CRA-W and UCL-ELIE, with
updates. These orthophotos are very useful
updated and/or where land use is changed. assurance on activities on declared parcels the collaboration of the DGO3 (SPW).
for the farmers and for the update of the LPIS
throughout the Walloon region which would
thanks to their very high spatial resolution Benefits to Citizens increase compliance with the regulation and
(25 cm), the principal issue of these images
The main benefit for the farmers is the focus on prevention.
is their delivery time, usually the aerial Cozmin Lucau-Danila, Emilie Beriaux and
imagery is only available six months after reduction of their administrative burden when The results of change detection of agricultural Beatrice Leteinturier.
their acquisition. In this context, the use of they have to declare their agricultural parcels parcels borders are already operational and Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Belgium
other images, with a high temporal resolution in order to receive CAP aids. Indeed, they implemented for the Walloon administration. Email: c.lucau-danila@cra.wallonie.be

COPERNICUS DATA
“ Geospatial services together AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
AND CAP MONITORING with Copernicus data can AND FISHERIES
IN ROMANIA serve as a significant tool for
provided freely as Web Map Services to the
A case study on agriculture agricultural subsidy control, civil society: monthly satellite countrywide
monitoring using Copernicus enabling easy and useful mosaics, early drought warnings or precise
Sentinel-2 time series. applications for farmers.” statistics regarding crops. This can be further
integrated with meteorological and socio-
Traian Crainic, Director IT-LPIS, APIA economic data and translated into scenarios
on how future changes might affect land
fragmentation and agricultural productivity.
Copernicus Sentinel-2 image on June 2017 showing based on the analysis of Copernicus satellite
The challenge agricultural land fragmentation in South Western time series is not just a CAP compliance Outlook to the future
Romania. tool but it can also offer supplementary
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Credit :Contains Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]/ESA information for both public authorities and Terrasigna aims to exploit the potential
supports the implementation of sustainable citizens. The service can provide an extensive of Copernicus Sentinel-2 time series and
models for the agricultural economy Europe- 5 day revisiting time. They deliver regular to provide a near real-time agriculture
picture of the overall dynamics of agriculture
wide. It also creates the premise for a new coverage over large areas, allowing a uniform monitoring service at national and European
at both pixel and parcel level. The paying
challenge – the control and monitoring of the observation of agricultural plots larger than level, fully compliant with both Romanian and
agencies will be able to simplify the CAP
rigorous usage of subsidies over large areas 1.5 hectares. Historical data is also available EU requirements. The farmers will benefit
compliance checks whilst benefitting from
of agricultural land. for retrospective baselines. The superior from modern and effective information in line
homogenous data regarding the crop areas
spectral resolution allows the identification with the principles of sustainable agriculture.
Every year, more than 700,000 farmers and potential mismatches between the
of the phenological growth stages and the
access the EU subsidy mechanisms through distinction between various crops or crop Acknowledgements
the Romanian Agency for Payments and classes.
Intervention in Agriculture (APIA). The The “Data-driven Bio-economy” DataBio
2016 Eurostat Yearbook indicates that 71% Terrasigna developed and enhanced a project (www.databio.eu). This project has
of agricultural holdings with areas smaller technology based on automatic processing received funding from the European Union’s
than 2 hectares encompass 17% of the of multi-temporal series of open EO data, Horizon 2020 research and innovation
utilised agricultural area (UAA). This creates with the focus on Sentinel- 2. The work programme under grant agreement No.
tremendous pressure on the resources was developed under the framework of 732064. LPIS sample data was received
allocated by APIA for compliance verification. the DataBio project using the Land Parcel from the Romanian Agency for Payments and
Identification Scheme (LPIS) provided by Intervention in Agriculture (APIA) within the
Earth Observation (EO) data provide wide APIA. The Agency issued a consistent set framework of the project.
and repetitive homogenous coverage, Buzau County, Romania. Example of possible
of user requirements matching the CAP mismatches (right image, in orange) between the
translated into an unprecedented amount of implementation priorities. The research is declared and observed crop.
information referred generally as “Big Data”. in line with the current European initiatives Credit :Contains Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]/ESA
The technologies benefitting from the data focussing on the increased usage of Copernicus
volumes represent a solid solution for a data for the monitoring and evaluation of CAP farmers’ declarations and the situation in-situ.
continuous monitoring of CAP compliance. effectiveness. In addition, a broad portfolio of information Cristian Flueraru, Cătălin Cucu-Dumitrescu,
can be added: summer- and winter-crop Marius Budileanu, Olimpia Copăcenaru and
The space based solution Benefits to Citizens assessment, crop rotation, identification of Florin Șerban.
The Sentinel-2 satellites, part of the EU A continuous agricultural monitoring service degraded land, areas affected by abnormal TERRASIGNA, Romania
Copernicus data stream, hold an enhanced humidity etc. Various data layers will be Email: cristian.flueraru@terrasigna.com

EARTH OBSERVATION DATA
“ We view it as an extremely AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
TO DETECT IRRIGATED useful tool, whilst up until AND FISHERIES
AREAS: AN APPLICATION recently our controls were
allocation, ensure the legitimacy of self-
IN SOUTHERN ITALY based on random and, declared irrigation water abstractions and
A satellite-based service that from a human perspective, safeguard compliance with water restrictions
set in special occasions such as drought.
allows to map areas irrigated burdensome on-site audits,
without permission was today we start from satellite In conclusion, it is possible to obtain an
implemented in two land equitable redistribution of costs related
reclamation consortia in Campania. Cadastral parcels and irrigated areas map based on data to gain overall information to the use of water resources as well as
time evolution of NDVI derived from satellite images.
and when things don’t add economic and environmental benefits for the
local community.
The challenge that the growth curve is linked to the supply up we go on site for a visual
of established water. By overlaying the
In Southern Mediterranean regions, irrigation
information layer of the registered cadastral
inspection.” Outlook to the future
is essential for ensuring high crop yields Further lines of development could be the
parcels and the classified map, it identifies
during late spring and summer, characterised Eng. Massimo Natalizio,
the areas without water authorisations also Irrigation Consorzio Sannio Alifano.
introduction of this methodology in the context
by high temperatures and lack of rain. of the emerging open data “Marketplace”,
called water rights. Platinum magazine - November 2017
Indeed, irrigation allows lands to be, on with the aim of using the open data and
average, twice as productive as rain-fed In detail, the map of the irrigated and non-
services, involving and combining individuals,
lands. Improving the efficiency of water irrigated areas, must be intersected with
a substantial increase in the efficiency of businesses and public sector bodies.
use for irrigation is required to ensure long- parcel boundaries with regular irrigation
water use in agriculture for the next decade
term sustainability of irrigated agriculture. authorisations (Compliance parcels). For Acknowledgements
on farmers and irrigation managers.
Current Earth Observation (EO) systems like each farm, cadastral references, extension
Sentinel-2 provide multispectral imagery of irrigated area, irrigation period, permitted This story synthesises the works performed
of crops with relatively high spatial and crops and water volume, are indicated. within the project DIANA – EU H2020
temporal resolutions and is free of charge. (Detection and Integrated Assessment of Non-
Based on these data, it is possible to detect authorized water Abstractions using by EO).
The goal is to empower water managers the irrigated areas without necessary water
to optimise the detection of non-authorised authorisations (Non-compliance - First type)
water abstractions for irrigation in two and the irrigated areas which exceed the
land Reclamation Consortia located in the declared irrigated areas (Non-compliance -
Campania Region (Italy). Second type). This methodology highlights
the potential of EO data to improve water
The space based solution management policies and practices, especially
in extreme conditions such as drought. Cadastral parcels with (green parcels) and without (red
The mapping system for irrigated areas and orange parcels) necessary water authorizations
is based on the temporal variability of
Benefits to Citizens and its location in Campania region (Italy)
vegetative vigour. In detail, a time series
of NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Improvement in the efficiency of water use
Index) maps are computed using Sentinel-2A for irrigation is required to ensure long-term Monitoring irrigated areas and the abstracted
sustainability of irrigated agriculture. The EU Carlo De Michele, Salvatore Falanga Bolognesi
(S2A) and Sentinel-2B (S2B) data. volumes on a systematic basis, and better
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), combined and Oscar Rosario Belfiore.
targeting of field inspections aimed at
This process allows a classified map of the ARIESPACE S.r.l., Italy
with the Water Framework Directive, imposes assessing compliance with legal water
growth patterns to be obtained and to verify Email: carlo.demichele@ariespace.com

EARTH OBSERVATION FOR
“ Gaiasense helps the producers AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
SMART FARMING AND CAP of our regions to reduce the use AND FISHERIES
PERFORMANCE of agrochemicals, leading to the
valuable for policymakers. EO-based stream
How time-series measurement of production of safer food.” values enable crop growth analysis and crop
vegetation indices supports the Mr. Kostas Apostolopoulos, Vice-Governor of
type profiling, revealing trends and helping
provision of smart farming and Rural Economy of the Central Greece Region regional, national and EU policymakers to
agricultural monitoring services for Mr. Theofanis Papas, Vice-Governors of Rural understand “where we are, what direction
The downstream workflow of gaiasense produces a Economy of the Central Macedonia Region we are heading in and how far we are from
Greek farmers and policymakers. high value data chain leveraging EO Copernicus data where we want to be”, supporting the CAP
and services. and Food Security policies.
Benefits to Citizens After two years of applying the SF services,
The challenge workflow aims to output high value-added
products and services that may be then fused Gaiasense provides EO-based monitoring results have shown that it is possible to
Greek farmers are facing a series of challenges services that allow farmers to understand increase production by an average of 10%
with the remaining data sources of gaiasense
that affect their crop yield. For example, plant their crops growth and vitality, and enhance and decrease the consumption of water,
to generate the advice. As an example,
defensive systems are lowered due to climate their farm management with evidence for fertilisers and pesticides by an average of
solar radiation and IoT measurements
change, making them more susceptible to specific action. In parallel, the extracted 19%.
are combined to estimate the reference
pest attacks. Nevertheless, farmers continue vegetation indices provide valuable
evapotranspiration that is needed in the
to make decisions for their farms based information regarding the intrafield variability
irrigation advice.
on their intuition, or acquired ancestral conditions of the parcel (time-series of image Agricultural monitoring and SF require a
knowledge, using traditional non-sustainable In practice, the pipeline of the platform
snapshots). The gaiasense-guided actions in large amount of data from several sources in
practices that drain the natural resources and incorporates three core modules operating
the field reduce the consumption of natural order to be accurate. In the future, we plan
affect the environment. independently, which in turn search for new
resources and protect the environment by to incorporate more Sentinel missions into
Sentinel-2 imagery, download them and
In this context, gaiasense has arisen as a minimising the use of chemicals. the workflow in order to examine data from
perform the required processing for optical
Smart Farming (SF) platform that provides more wavelengths and acquire the shortest
satellite images (i.e., atmospheric correction
data-driven environmentally friendly advisory revisit time that will enhance the quality of
and cloud masking). As a result, the initial
services on fertilisation, irrigation and the given advice. Crop growth models and
data are upgraded to higher-level products,
pest management, minimising the use of probabilistic weather forecasts powered by
such as NDVI or LAI vegetation indices that
inputs (i.e. water, fertilisers and pesticides), satellite data are another appealing extension
are valuable for SF.
according to the mandates of the Common for gaiasense.
Agricultural Policy (CAP). Multiple data The platform automatically assigns the
sources, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) extracted information to the agricultural Acknowledgements
sensors, farm logs, and satellite imagery, are parcels or the management units belonging A demo view depicting fields in Central Macedonia. Supported by the Central Greece and Central
used to generate reliable advice and support to the gaiasense database. Furthermore, The end user can monitor parcels through time, either Macedonia Regions.
the decision-making process of the farmer. meteorological data from the IoT telemetry by using interactive graphs of indicators, or image
stations enrich the information context. snapshots.
The space based solution The farmer is also able to correlate the Credit :Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data
spatiotemporal conditions of his parcels [2016, 2017] Nikolaos Marianos, Nikolaos Kalatzis,
Gaiasense uses remote sensing methods to
process and upgrade one of the main data with those of a larger user-defined Area of and Dimitrios Sykas.
These services also introduce spatial
inputs that of Copernicus raw data and Interest (AOI). NEUROPUBLIC S.A., Greece
analytics intelligence for CAP performance
services hosted on hubs. The downstream and efficiency management, which is Email: n_marianos@neuropublic.gr, n_ka-
latzis@neuropublic.gr, d_sykas@neuropublic.gr

REINFORCING
“ Space-based services AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
THE COMMON enable paying agencies to AND FISHERIES
AGRICULTURE POLICY improve transparency, reduce
information and cooperation with the public
Automated satellite-based Earth administrative burden and administration, enabling the provision of
Observation services support the efficiently monitor farmers’ more transparent public e-services.
monitoring of farmers’ compliance compliance to CAP obligations.” Outlook to the future
to Common Agriculture Policy Crop type classification using time-series of Sentinel-2
(CAP) obligations. Alberto Lafarga, The system has been applied and validated
imagery, Navarra, Spain 2017
Institute for Agrifood Technology in the Navarra region, currently transitioning
and Infrastructures of Navarra INTIA to an early adoption level. It has also been
and timely monitoring of the agricultural
land becomes feasible. Additionally, Sentinel- applied in two diverse pilot sites in Greece
The challenge contribute to the reduction of the overall and Lithuania (involving the respective PA);
2’s 10/20-m high spatial resolution enables
Paying Agencies (PA), responsible for the the systematic provision of crop-specific cost for performing the monitoring of the where, for the first time, there is evident
implementation of the Common Agriculture biophysical parameters and accurate thematic CAP implementation. Increased transparency agricultural land fragmentation, whilst for
Policy (CAP), need to monitor farmers’ information at parcel level. Here, we have and efficiency of the policy implementation is the latter, Sentinel-2 cloud-free imagery is
compliance to certain standards concerning developed and applied automated EO ensured alongside a simplified, personalised scarce. The results, however, are comparable
the environment. Monitoring is performed by processing workflows, to assist the regional system of e-public services contributing to in accuracy; attributed to the unique spatial
in-situ visits and through remote sensing. Due paying agency inspections with respect to better use of public resources. and temporal characteristics of the Sentinel-2
to the high complexity and diversity of the farmers’ compliance to their CAP obligations; data. Since the methods were designed to
obligations that need to be monitored, both predictably at operational level. The be fully transferable, by merely utilising open
methods have limitations, being evidently methodology is founded on accurate crop type access EO data, the scalability to country or
complex processes of poor transparency and classification via machine learning application even European scales is top priority. In that
entail a high cost for public administrations. on a time-series of combined Sentinel-2 respect, the Copernicus Data & Information
imagery and vegetation indices. Effective Access Services (DIAS) can act as an enabler
Space technology and use of Copernicus for the operational and large-scale application
exploitation of crop phenology enables the
data offer better monitoring in agriculture, of the scheme, in terms of both data and
discrimination amongst 9 crop types, which
also supporting the implementation of processing requirements.
explains 90% of the regional agricultural
the CAP. Through its service platform, the Chronogram of key crop phenological stages and all
zone. To further assist the paying agency
RECAP H2020 project responds to the CAP cloud free Sentinel-2 acquisitions in 2017. Acknowledgements
inspectors, the described system delivers on
monitoring challenges providing advanced
demand Sentinel-2 true colour composites Competent authorities and service providers RECAP is a EU project and has received
manual and fully automatic hybrid Earth
and pertinent vegetation indices; for all cloud profit from the RECAP solution which allows funding from the EU Horizon 2020 Research
Observation (EO) techniques, contributing to
free acquisitions within the year of inspection. them better allocation and saving of resources, and Innovation Programme under Grant
cost-efficient, transparent and reliable remote
Methods have been designed and developed enabling them to provide added value Agreement No. 693171.
CAP monitoring.
alongside the end-users and stakeholders, services to local farmers. Farmers profit from
The space based solution under a co-creation/co-production scheme, to a system that guides and notifies them of
offer a mutually valued outcome. their obligations ensuring their compliance to A. Armesto, and A. Lafarga1, D. Petalios2,
The introduction of the Sentinel mission
the rules, whilst reducing their administrative I. Papoutsis and V. Sitokonstantinou3.
enables optical and radar satellite data to Benefits to Citizens
burden. Such a proactive participation of the 1. INTIA, Spain
be freely and systematically received on a
The satellite-based RECAP solutions providing farmers in the monitoring procedure makes 2. CREVIS SPRL, Belgium
global scale. With Sentinel-2’s high temporal
a remote compliance control system for specific them an active part of the data collection 3. National Observatory of Athens, Greece
resolution of 5-day revisit time, consistent
rules of Cross Compliance and Greening, chain enhancing communication, exchange of Email: aarmesto@intiasa.es

SENTINELS FOR FLOOD
“ Using Sentinels to check AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
AND YIELD LOSS MAPPING damaged fields lets us finish AND FISHERIES
Many fields ready to harvest are compensation payments in
happen soon. Still, emergencies happen and
flooded during severe rainfall. less than two months from it is essential for government institutions
Sentinel satellite data was used the first drop of rain.” to respond as soon as possible, to estimate
to replace field visits and to damage rapidly, and to administer support
Indulis Abolins,
accelerate payment Deputy Director of Rural Support Service
payments in a short space of time.
of compensation. Severe rain caused flood at the beginning The Sentinel constellation proved its worth in
of harvesting season in Eastern Latvia. helping to administer compensation for flood
Image: Rural Support Service saved plenty of administration costs (fewer damage. This was also the first example in
working hours, less driving to visits). 3100 Latvia of the joint use of both Sentinel-1 and 2.
The challenge High revisit frequency allowed for the farmers with 82000 ha of damaged area
mapping of flooded areas every week or even received their compensation for yield loss in If flooding strikes again, we will be
In August 2017, Latvia experienced
more often, if necessary. The possibility of less than two-months after the first day of experienced at mapping flooded parcels even
extremely heavy rainfall. More than twice the
obtaining data every few days allowed fields rainfall. That was an unprecedented speed for faster. Also, we could extend flooded areas
monthly norm poured in two days at the very
that became flooded after a while to be emergency administration - from field visits over digital terrain model, if available.
beginning of the harvesting season.
caught, when water flowed down the terrain. to payments. There are always things to improve with
Fields were flooded and it was impossible
At the end of September Sentinel-2 was Farmers received compensation payments every solution. But it would not be possible
to get agricultural machinery on them. The
able to get some optical images. Many fields faster and could start preparing for the next without the Copernicus Sentinel satellites’
Government declared a state of emergency
were still under water. Flood mask was also season. data and its short revisit time.
in the agriculture sector. It was clear that
generated from optical data and merged with
administrative institutions would have to Acknowledgements
data from previous dates.
check flooded fields so that farmers could
receive compensations for the yield loss but Flood maps from Sentinel satellite data were Thanks to the Copernicus programme for
many roads were impossible to drive and integrated into Land Parcel Information Sentinel missions and data, ESA for training
raining continued for more than a month. System and used together with farmer courses and tutorials for data processing,
applications for compensation. and Riga Technical University for academic
The space based solution support.
Benefits to Citizens
For the largest flooded fields, Copernicus
Sentinels became very useful. Both Sentinel-1 According to Sentinel data every parcel that
radar and Sentinel-2 optical satellite data was under water was considered to have
were used to map the flooded areas. lost yield and excluded from these fields that
must be visited. Use of Sentinels reduced the Flooded area mapped (blue) using Sentinel-1&2.
Sentinel-1 radar is capable of “seeing” through Overlap with reference parcels (yellow) show the lost
amount of on-the-spot visits. Inspectors from
clouds which allowed for the use of remote yield in Eastern Latvia.
the Rural Support Service could spend their Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2017
sensing data for flood mapping even though
time visiting only those fields whose yield
the sky was still overcast and it was raining
loss was not clear from satellite data (small
often. Furthermore, since radar backscatter on
parcels and fields where crops emerge from
water is completely different from vegetated
water or the soil was too wet to harvest). Every emergency or, in this case, loss of
areas, it makes flood mapping with radar Zane Atstaja, Harijs Ijabs and Juris Grinevics.
yield, leaves people with hope that it will
data quite unmistakable. Use of Sentinels and drones shortened time Rural Support Service, Latvia
not happen again or, at least, it will not
for field visits by a third. Faster field visits
Email: zane.atstaja@lad.gov.lv

SENTINELS VERIFY
“ We are gradually increasing AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES satellite based monitoring and AND FISHERIES
Estonia uses Copernicus reducing field visits. Building
Sentinel-1 and -2 time series in the satellite based mowing
a country wide system to verify detection system is the first Mowing checks using Sentinel-1 and -2
the mowing requirement of the data is the first step for ARIB in its future
step in this development.” path towards automated satellite based
agricultural subsidies under monitoring and reducing the need for
Common Agricultural Policy. Ahti Bleive, Estonian Agricultural Registers inspectors’ field visits. It is planned to further
and Information Board
extend the functionality of SATIKAS with
Mowing detection results are presented on a public web grazing detection, harvesting detection, crop
SATIKAS helps to reduce false payments – the
The challenge map of Lääne-Viru County. Green represents mowed classification and flooded fields mapping. The
economic impact in Estonia alone is estimated
area, red not mowed area and orange late mowed area. accuracy of SATIKAS will be developed to the
at close to € 500,000 every year. The total
The Estonian Agricultural Registers and level such that it is possible to make payment
agricultural use. The system operates from economic impact of similar systems at EU level
Information Board (ARIB), like other European decisions without field visits. Next generation
May to October every year to cover the entire is at least two orders of magnitude greater.
paying agencies (PAs), is responsible for the Sentinels and other high resolution sensors
growing season and detects all mowing on
honest sharing of the subsidies to farmers As the system is new the accuracy is still will be used to improve the accuracy and
agricultural grasslands in Estonia.
and the verification of the subsidy claims. improving every year. As of 2018 it is already precision of the subsidy checks and to support
Sentinel satellite images are pre-processed used as the risk analysis tool with gradual the farmers with satellite derived information
The European Common Agricultural Policy
and dense time series are formed. In each movement to the ultimate goal of totally in their work.
(CAP) sets the rules for the farmers to keep
season more than 100 S1 radar images and replacing field visits and making the payment
the land in good condition in order to qualify
more than 50 S2 optical images are used. decisions based on SATIKAS satellite based Acknowledgements
for the subsidy payments. Although the
For each parcel its characteristic S1 and S2 results. The project was funded by the European
fraction of non-compliances is tiny, the total
parameters’ signatures are built, where the Regional Development Fund under the
economic impact on an EU level is huge given Ultimately, SATIKAS helps to reduce the
mowing events are detected using state of “Development of public services” programme
the €50 billion annual budget of CAP. spending of the European Union and to direct
the art deep learning technology. using information and communication
the freed resources for future developments
In the verification of the subsidy checks PAs
through technological progress. technologies”.
have so far mainly relied on inspectors’ field Benefits to Citizens
visits. Given the rising labour costs in Europe The results are published in virtual real time
it gets more and more expensive every year. throughout the season in an open web map
for the general public and in detailed reports
The space based solution
for the ARIB specialists. It helps to reduce
ARIB, in cooperation with Tartu Observatory the need for expensive field visits, saves the
and CGI Estonia, has built an automated time of inspectors – sending them directly
satellite based infosystem SATIKAS. to the right fields without wasting time on
areas which are OK anyway. It also has a Kaupo Voormansik 1 and Kai Raudvere 2
SATIKAS uses Sentinel-1 (S1) radar and
significant prophylactic effect – publishing 1. Tartu Observatory, University of Tartu
Sentinel-2 (S2) optical satellite imagery
the results on the web map works as a Lääne-Viru County on a false colour composite. Observatory, Estonia
to check whether the farmers follow the
reminder for the farmers who have not yet SATIKAS uses dense time series of Sentinel-1 radar 2. Agricultural Registers and Information
mowing requirement, which is one of the images as its main data source. Red represents
most common under CAP and is often fulfilled the mowing requirements. Board, Estonia
vv-polarization, green vh-polarization, blue vv+vh-
violated on lands which are not in intens By detecting more episodes of non-compliance, Email: kaupo.voormansik@ut.ee
polarization.
kai.raudvere@pria.ee

A FARMSOURCING
“ The BELCAM platform AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
PLATFORM FOR A SMART innovates management AND FISHERIES
NITROGEN MANAGEMENT of fields.”
cost in the context of price volatility.
BELCAM is an EO-based Engr. Pierre Lebrun,
collaborative platform designed Filière wallonne de la pomme de terre, Outlook to the future
for public authorities and farmers FIWAP
The BELCAM platform aims at providing
for crop monitoring based on the EO-based products and services to regional
joint use of field observations authorities, farmers and also agricultural
Snapshot of the BELCAM collaborative Benefits to Citizens
and Copernicus satellite data. extension services (e.g. FIWAP) providing
(“farmsourcing”) platform - The displayed product is The adequacy between the nitrogen supplies technical and economic support to farmers.
the nitrogen absorbed (kg N ha-1) of winter wheat and the crop needs allows public authorities The products and services which have been
The challenge parcels in the vicinity of Gembloux on the 26th of May
to meet European regulations e.g. Nitrates made available concern recommendations
2017 – parcels with border limits in white are those
Producers in European countries are under encoded in the platform. directive). It also meets the societal on nitrogen, crop status and estimations of
increasing pressure to maintain profitability Source: BELCAM project expectations in terms of good agricultural yield. Other products/services valorising the
within environmental constraints and the Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] practices and product quality. Consumers sentinels constellations (mainly Sentinel-1
increases in N fertilisers’ prices that should are increasingly concerned about agricultural and -2) are currently developed in permanent
encourage more rational and environmentally and maize in Belgium by providing to users production that allows farmers to get fair interaction with end users through the
responsible management of inputs. satellite-based N recommendations at parcel incomes whilst preserving the environment collaborative platform (e.g. dry matter
level. It includes a total N-recommendation at and consumer health. This adequacy allows proportion in maize). The BELCAM platform
The high spatial and temporal resolution the start of the season but also, throughout the minimisation of the risks of groundwater aims at being a non-profit platform meeting
provided by Sentinel missions (mainly the growing season, the crop nitrogen pollution by nitrates and the subsequent a public service role. Reaching this objective
Sentinel-1 and -2) paving the way for new status, the Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI) reduction in costs linked to the sanitation is made possible by the Copernicus free and
local applications on a smaller scale than determining the crop N nutrition level and, of water used for human consumption open data policy.
in agricultural regions or in very large fields considering the crop N requirements, the but also allows a reduction of greenhouse
has motivated the development of the amount of fertilisers to apply. These products gas emission. Avoiding the spread of more Acknowledgements
collaborative farm sourcing platform BELCAM are built from surface reflectances (of bands at nitrogen than is required allows farmers
optimising nitrogen management at parcel The BELCAM project is funded by the
10 and 20m) and vegetation indices derived to reduce the cost of nitrogen fertiliser and
level based on the joint use of satellite Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) in the
from Sentinel-2 (available every 3-5 days subsequently helps them to produce at lower
(Copernicus) data, field observations and crop frame of the research programme for earth
over Belgium) which are used to estimate the
growth models. observation STEREO III. The development
nitrogen absorbed by the crops, the crop and
of the BELCAM platform and the definition of
green manure aboveground biomass and leaf
The space based solution targeted products were only made possible
area index (LAI). With a spatial resolution of
through constant interaction with end-users
Nitrogen (N) is a major element of chlorophyll 10m, sentinel-2 data can also be used in the
(farmers, technical and pilot centres and
and enzymes implied in photosynthesis, delineation of management zones for variable
regional authorities).
a shortage results in lower yields whilst nitrogen application. The collaborative
an excess has negative environmental (“farmsourcing”) approach of the platform
consequences (e.g. groundwater pollution). speeds up the critical learning process for
Y. Curnel 1, D. Goffart 1, V. Planchon1,
Thus, providing the right doses in the right the remote sensing providers, thanks to input
and near real time feedback from the users. J.-P. Goffart 1, C. Delloye 2 and P. Defourny2.
places and at the right time is crucial. The Nitrogen Nutrition index (NNI) describing the crop
BELCAM collaborative platform contributes to nitrogen status (in May 2017) of some winter wheat 1. CRA-W, Belgium
smart nitrogen management of wheat, potato fields in Belgium (source: UCL – Louvain, Belgium). 2. UCL – ELIE, Belgium
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
Email: y.curnel@cra.wallonie.be

A NEW DETAILED CROP
“ This crop map will allow AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
AND NATURAL LAND MAP us to monitor agricultural AND FISHERIES
Crop and forest species activities as well as improve
Directive and for the monitoring of the use of
identification with unprecedented the effectiveness of the water in agricultural land by the River Basin
resolution as a tool for land CAP controls and reduce the Authority. Moreover, the land cover map is an
monitoring in Castile and León invaluable tool for monitoring the agricultural
farmer’s paperwork.”
(Spain). activities for CAP subsidies, in particular, to
Juan Pedro Medina Rebollo, control crop diversity and coupled aids (crop
D. G. Regional Paying Agency specific payments).
Crop and natural land classification map over the Benefits to Citizens Outlook to the future
The challenge region of Castile and León for 2017.
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2016] The land cover maps are easily accessible The production of such a detailed land
Castile and León is a very large region through the Internet http://www.mcsncyl. cover map requires the availability of one
its spatial accuracy, frequency of acquisition
(94,224 km2) dominated by vast areas of itacyl.es]. Users with a technical background to three (cloud free) satellite images per
and ease of access.
cropland (mainly grain crops on arable land) can download the entire product in order month of the whole territory with adequate
surrounded by natural landscapes. Existing Land cover classification is performed using to develop their own projects and analysis; spatial resolution. Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2
land cover projects at European and National machine learning techniques based on year meanwhile basic users can access the satellites represent the only available
level consider arable land as a single class long time series of images together with information through a web interface that operational constellation that can guarantee
that groups all crops in an individual legend ancillary data such as elevation, slope, includes the cadastral information. The the production of the map on an annual basis
item without giving information about the average precipitation, vegetation height availability of yearly layers allows users to with reliability.
heterogeneity of the agricultural landscapes taken from LIDAR flights, etc. check crop rotations and land cover changes.
The use of data science techniques based on
in such a big area nor their annual evolution. In order to implement the machine-learning the integration of earth observation datasets,
Moreover, forest and semi natural areas algorithm, high-quality training cases are with other sources of data will produce a
are not characterised well enough for land required, which are selected from different change in the way land is monitored all over
planning and assessment. sources of information available in the Europe with important implications for the
The challenge was to create a very detailed Regional Government such as the Integrated citizens.
land cover map, updated annually with crop Administration and Control System (IACS)
and forest identification at species level by from Common Agricultural Policy and Forest Acknowledgements
means of remote sensing and ancillary data Inventories. This project is supported by the H2020
available within the regional government. Following this methodology, detailed crop Research and Innovation Programme of the
The project is conceived as a concerted and and natural land maps have been produced Example of crop and natural land classification map EU, through the project “Sentinels Synergy for
over a mixed area with irrigated and rainfed crops in Agriculture (SENSAGRI)” (Grant Agreement
coordinated effort by the Agricultural and every year since 2011. Before the appearance
Salamanca province. nº 730074).
Livestock Department, and the Environmental of Sentinel-2, the product was based on Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
Department, with the common objective Landsat-8 and mainly on Deimos-1 images at
From a government perspective, the land
of monitoring agricultural and natural land a considerable cost. David A. Nafría, Vicente del Blanco, Vanessa
cover map also enables the monitoring of
simultaneously. Since 2017, the product has been based land changes and the assessment of the Paredes, Óscar O. Rodríguez and José L. Bengoa
solely on Copernicus images, providing an fulfilment of different requirements of land Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y
increase in the spatial resolution up to 10m owners in a very efficient and cost effective León, Regional Government of Castile and
Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 satellites provide as well as a significant cost reduction. way. The map allows for the control of León, Spain
an incredible tool for assessing land cover due protected areas included in the Habitats Email: nafgarda@itacyl.es

CLOSING THE YIELD GAP
“ Field-specific maps on biomass AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
WITH CALIBRATED CROP and vegetation productivity AND FISHERIES
MAPS FROM GERMANY from satellites provide a better
Spatial information on wheat conditions are
Biomass maps from Copernicus planning horizon for field good indicators for the regional wheat markets
data help accounting crop yield applications and developments in Northern Germany. Wise land management
information in the Demmin on the wheat markets.” practices further foster biodiversity, human
region in Germany. health and well-being in the administrative
Freiherr von Maltzahn, Daberkower Landhof AG region of Demmin.
Illustrates how NDVI maps derived from Sentinel-2
can be used as indicators to determine high and low
and effects of soil erosion. These maps are Outlook to the future
very useful to understand deficits in land
productive parts of a crop field. Crop production is the main industry in
The challenge management and provide decision making
Northern Germany. Local farmers will intensify
and provide high-resolution, high-frequency, support for on-site applications and adaptions
Crop yield monitoring is a major challenge detailed information about the land surface the collaboration with the scientific network
to changing conditions. Agricultural map
in agricultural production. The knowledge of to everyone. The richness of remote sensing of the Durable Environmental Multidisciplinary
products on biomass, crop health and yield
the yield condition is key for the sustainable data helps to obtain up-to-date information Monitoring Information Network (DEMMIN)
estimates support traditional management
management of agricultural lands and an on farmland and agricultural processes. to generate calibrated Earth observation data
practices since they provide spatially
important source of information for economic Vegetation indices such as the NDVI, in for agricultural monitoring. Biomass maps
planning and price development in Northern combination with land use and empirical will be evaluated by farmers and researchers
Germany. The challenge is to overcome models, using in-situ data are used to estimate and integrated into farm management tools.
existing yield gaps by using operational high and low productive areas in a field. In
space-based monitoring services as provided Acknowledgements
combination with the high frequency of remote
by the Copernicus Missions. Up-to-date spatial sensing observations, this information is used The Authors would like to thank the
information and indicators on the ecological to assess the effectiveness of agricultural networks of DLR, GFZ and the Universities
status of managed ecosystems provide management steps. of Jena, Würzburg and Halle, as well as
knowledge for increasing cropping yields on the collaborating network of Farmers in the
existing agricultural systems. Despite limited Benefits to Citizens DEMMIN network of the Demmin region.
land resources, efficient farming practices and
Satellite-based agricultural monitoring provides
the wise use of water resources for irrigation Shows a result of a light use efficiency model. The
information on the condition of agricultural
is a major challenge for land managers on a model is using high frequent remote sensing data
land. Despite the detection of areas with
regional scale. to estimate the generation of biomass per pixel by
limited productivity, satellite data analyses
connecting the spectral information of a remote
The space based solution provide a holistic picture on the environmental sensing time series with the real world biophysical Dr. Christian Hüttich 1, Thorsten Dahms 1,
condition of managed landscapes. Examples information like biomass.
Satellite-based remote sensing enables Dr. Christopher Conrad 1,
are drought monitoring and soil moisture
an objective and repeated assessment Dr. Nima Ahmadian 2, Dr. Daniel Spengler 2 and
maps as well as maps indicating the health consistent and cost-effective information
of the agricultural landscape. It offers a for land managers. Consequences are better Dr. Erik Borg 3
status of the crops for each specific field.
perspective that is not influenced by property The satellite data provide key information for use of fertilisers and increased productivity 1. University of Würzburg,Department of
or administrative boundaries and thus helps adapting fertilisation practices, crop cycles, by reducing the uncertainty of crop damage Remote Sensing, Germany
to understand the processes in a coherent and show the success of agricultural practices. events and crop risks. The benefits can be 2. GFZ German Research Center for
environmental system such as an agricultural Existing archives of satellite-based agricultural scaled from farm level by supporting better Geosciences Potsdam, Germany
landscape. The Earth Observations of the conditions also help to understand slow crop yields resulting in stable profits for local 3. DLR German Aerospace Center, Germany
Copernicus Programme are free of charge environmental processes like soil degradation wheat producers in the administrative region. Email: christian.huettich@uni-wuerzburg.de

COPERNICUS SUPPORTS
“ We found satellite monitoring AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
PRECISION FARMING FOR the most accurate and AND FISHERIES
AN APULIAN VINEYARD affordable survey method
make it possible to extract useful indicators
EUGENIUS is a SME network for to support the production for a better management of the harvest
the provision of Copernicus based of high quality wine.” and optimisation of agricultural practices
services for end users. (fertilisation, irrigation, health protection).
Giuseppe Palumbo, Tormaresca Areas with anomalies (diseases or nutrient
The first pilot was done in Apulia
Benefits to Citizens deficiencies for instance) can be detected
for vineyard management.
Œnoview® products to monitor Tormaresca Bocca di
early so that appropriate decisions can be
The benefits of the Œenoview® service made. Œnoview® provides wine cooperatives
Lupo Vineyard in Minervino Murge (Apulia).
are threefold: decrease production costs with an instantaneous and large scale
The challenge in the framework of the Eugenius H2020 by optimising farming practices, reduce characterisation of the qualitative potential
Copernicus project as well as to the Copernicus environmental impact by limiting chemical of the vineyard parcels. This improves the
Wine production in Apulia for 2016 is
images. Œnoview® uses multispectral inputs and improve the quality and efficiency of vine parcel selection to achieve
extraordinarily positive with a significant
satellite imagery to generate added value productivity of the vineyard. Moreover, public production goals.
progression from 6 million hectolitres in 2014
products. Biophysical parameters such as the authorities, such as innovation agencies
to almost 10 million hectolitres in 2016. Outlook to the future
Green leaf cover fraction (GLCV) are extracted can include this service in the agronomical
Apulia wine production represents 14% of
from these images to provide a clear status practices support to small farmers promoting
the national production. According to ISTAT This first experimentation in the Apulia
on the vigour and the heterogeneity of the the digital innovation. This is also supported
(Italian National Institute for Statistics), the region was successful and demonstrated that
vine. This information is ultimately analysed by EU policies promoting innovation in
vine surface grows by 1% each year, to reach, the Œenoview® service now being proposed
and formatted in order to help users make farming & food processing through EU
in 2016, 85,000 hectares. With only 3% of for French vineyards can be fully operational
the right decisions. research projects to increase productivity and
wine production with a Protected Designation even in a new climate and soil environment.
reduce environmental impact.
of Origin (PDO), this significant increase In 2017, the first experimental pilot service New pilots are foreseen in 2018 as well as a
mainly concerns wine without quality labels. was conducted for the Tormaresca vineyard in quantification of the economical benefit.
Improving and optimising wine-making Salento (Apulia), an Apulian vinery property
practices is therefore a major challenge for of the Antinori family. More than 200 ha Acknowledgements
this business sector in Apulia to cope with were monitored combining high frequency This project has received funding from
economic and environmental constraints. of acquisition and free of charge Sentinel 2 the EU H2020 research and innovation
Improving wine quality and quantity whilst with very high resolution satellite images and programme under grant agreement No
reducing environmental impacts and the agronomical in-situ datasets (grape variety, 730150 EUGENIUSTM H2020-EO-2016. The
use of chemical inputs is a key issue for cultural practices, etc.). Œnoview® supported Œenoview product has been developed by
the sustainability of Apulia vineyards. That Tormaresca wine-growers in managing sub- Airbus Defence and Space.
makes Apulia a very promising market for field and inter-field variability of the vine Œnoview® provides accurate information to define
EUGENIUS solutions and particularly for Earth vigour. Several critical stages of the grape homogeneous areas for harvest optimization and Daniela Iasillo 1, Guillaume Rieu 2 and
observation services for vine monitoring. development are monitored, with a special wine quality improvement. Giuseppe Palumbo 3
focus during the veraison stage (a few weeks Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
1. Planetek Italia, Italy
The space based solution before harvesting). Zoned maps are also To winegrowers, Œnoview® offers the 2. Terranis, France
The EUGENIUS solution for vineyard precision produced to define homogeneous areas on opportunity to improve the profitability of
3. Tormaresca, Italy
farming is Œnoview®, operated by Terranis which specific agricultural practices such as the vineyard thanks to accurate mapping
Email: iasillo@planetek.it
and proposed in Apulia by Planetek, thanks to fertilisation, water monitoring, pruning and of each plot. Image processing algorithms
combined with oenological know-how guillaume.rieu@terranis.fr
the Eugenius platforms network implemented bunch thinning can be implemented.
peppino.palumbo@tormaresca.it

COPERNICUS FOR EFFICIENT
“ FruitLook helps farmers AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
FARMING IN THE WESTERN understand their water use AND FISHERIES
CAPE OF SOUTH AFRICA efficiency on and between their
producers to understand what is needed
The Western Cape of South orchards and how they respond when and where. For example, with FruitLook
Africa, including Cape Town, to irrigation and climate farmers can identify disease infected parts
is experiencing a severe drought. changes throughout the season of a block quite accurately. By spraying only
With local farmers needing to infected parts of a block, pesticide application
by giving the grower a visual is substantially reduced, saving costs and
become water-wise, FruitLook
is the tool being used to aid this. presentation and record.” reducing environmental impact.
200,000ha of vineyards and orchards are monitored The agricultural sector is an indispensable
Anton Muller, Technical Manager KROMCO, one
component of the local economy in terms
The challenge by FruitLook on a weekly basis of the largest deciduous fruit packing facilities,
Western Cape Province of South Africa of employment opportunities and general
Droughts are making agriculture increasingly expensive and do not show any spatial livelihood. FruitLook provides crucial
vulnerable and it is expected that the impact variation. This is where FruitLook comes in. information services to make this sector
of droughts will increase due to climate more sustainable and robust. It is therefore
Via FruitLook, available since 2010, farmers
change. In the Western Cape of South Africa no wonder that FruitLook is a flagship project
have access to the latest satellite information
a severe drought is currently affecting two for the Western Cape Government.
technologies to analyse crop growth and
of its biggest industries: fruit and wine
water consumption over time and space. Outlook to the future
production. These industries are of huge fiscal
The use of Sentinel-2 satellite data is pivotal
importance–representing almost a third of A changing climate, increased competition for
for the production of FruitLook’s weekly
the province’s exports – so optimizing their water and rising input costs means farmers
data products. FruitLook services an area of
production whilst minimizing the ecological worldwide need to attain higher yields with
9 million ha, including 200,000 ha of fruit
impact is both an economic and environmental fewer means to do so. Information from
crops. The data is available via the web
gain. The Western Cape Department of advanced technology is necessary to address
portal and can be accessed on a field-by-field
Agriculture (WCDoA) stimulates the efficient Variation in crop growth captured in a table grape block
this challenge. Pixel Intelligence Mapping
basis. Local partners support farmers in the
use of (water) resources in farming via an technology, which forms the backbone of
successful uptake of the service. FruitLook Under these circumstances every drop
innovative approach. In cooperation with the FruitLook in creating smart data products, is
offers nine different information data sets, literally counts. With FruitLook farmers are
Dutch company eLEAF, FruitLook was created. applicable on any land surface on the planet.
from biomass production showing how well empowered to make better management
www.fruitlook.co.za is an online platform to This technology provides a huge potential aid to
the crop is growing to an evapotranspiration decisions which are reflected in the efficiency
monitor vineyards and orchards, building on agriculture and water management worldwide.
deficit parameter indicating whether crops are and productivity of their water use. Farmers
frequently updated satellite imagery and
experiencing stress. use FruitLook to monitor crop development,
weather information. Acknowledgements
Farmers access the data at no cost, as the detect and locate growth problems, evaluate
The space based solution service is fully funded by the WCDoA. As and improve water management and The Western Cape Department of Agriculture
such, WCDoA provides the information generally optimize resource use. And with is acknowledged for their funding of the
The starting point to improve water use success: the water use efficiency of FruitLook FruitLook service.
efficiency is knowing how much water is infrastructure to move the local agricultural
sector forward. users has already increased by between 10%
actually consumed through crop production. and 30%!
In agriculture, this is described as actual
Benefits to Citizens Making better informed decisions not only
Evapotranspiration (ETact). Reliable R. Goudriaan
information on ETact is difficult to obtain The current drought in the Western Cape is saves water, but can have other beneficial
eLEAF, Wageningen, the Netherlands
since in situ measurements are complicated, deemed the worst in more than 100 years. environmental impacts as well. It enables
Email: ruben.goudriaan@eleaf.com.

CROP CONDITION
“ The integration of satellite- AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
MONITORING AT FIELD based vegetation condition AND FISHERIES
LEVEL information especially with
and intensity of drought in recent years was
Accurate and spatially explicit a higher spatial resolution reported. This was especially advantageous,
information on crop condition is will support the monitoring as with the use of Sentinel-1 it was possible
essential for food security. of the drought stress, and to acquire dense time series independent of
atmospheric conditions.
can facilitate further decision
making.” Outlook to the future
Maximum NDMI derived from Sentinel-2 imagery To make the results accessible for a wide
from June-July 2017 in Bila Tserkva region (Ukraine). Tatyana Adamenko,
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] range of users a web application has been
The challenge Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center developed, where users can derive Copernicus
Accurate and timely agricultural monitoring is of drought-based changes in Vegetation based data products such as vegetation indices,
essential for operational tasks such as yield Indices (VI). Furthermore, crop parameters evidence-based quantitative crop condition SAR backscatter time series without coding or
prediction and crop condition monitoring. An such as maximum, minimum, amplitudes estimates can provide accurately estimated image processing for a defined area of interest
improved understanding of the factors that of VIs and backscattering intensity can be drought characteristics (such as start, and a preferred period. The computation is
can reduce agricultural yields and the overall derived both for the overall growing season duration, intensity) and impact to different running on Google Cloud servers (using Google
production capacity of agro-ecosystems is and during specific times of growth (e.g. the stakeholders. Along with the remotely sensed Earth Engine) and the results are returned to
crucial, especially at local and regional levels. amplitudes within 20 days during vegetative derived Land Surface Temperature (LST) the user in an interactive interface. This will
This place-based crop condition information and reproductive stages). One of the primary and with the integration of meteorological further contribute to the use of the data and
can be further used for decision making in the variables derived for our study area in the data, we can acquire a holistic view of the will simplify data access for users with limited
geographical areas which are more vulnerable Ukraine were NDVI (Normalised Difference drought impact. High resolution data, derived remote sensing experience, or with limited
to climate extremes, such as droughts. Vegetation Index) and NDMI (Normalised from Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 sensors give processing power.
The complexity of these extreme events Difference Moisture Index). The combined valuable opportunities for cost-effective crop
challenges its characterisation and spatially use of freely distributed Sentinel-1 SAR series condition monitoring over large areas, such as Acknowledgements
explicit representation of the drought impact and multispectral Sentinel-2 observations in the Ukraine, where an increase in frequency This study was conducted within the scope of
over large areas. (10-20 m spatial resolution) along with the EvIDENz project which is supported by the
available Landsat-8 time series can give German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs
The space based solution detailed information about crop condition. and Energy (BMWi; grant No 50EE1541).
Even though in situ observations and Benefits to Citizens
statistical data can be used to monitor the
condition of the crop, such data acquisition The increasing number of freely distributed
Copernicus satellite data offers opportunities Gohar Ghazaryan1, Olena Dubovyk1,
is time-consuming, labour-intensive and
often costly. Earth Observation (EO) provides to monitor intra-seasonal changes in Valerie Graw1, Nataliia Kussul2
unprecedented opportunities for cost-effective croplands and track subtle changes in time and Jürgen Schellberg1,3
crop condition monitoring over large areas. series, which can be induced by drought. 1. Center for Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces,
Spatially explicit drought information can be University of Bonn, Germany
Crop condition can be tracked by comparing useful for the government to monitor yields, 2. Space Research Institute, Ukraine
the dynamic behaviour of time series subsidy, and to support decision making such Start of the drought Detected in July 2017 derived
for drought and non-drought years. The 3. Institute of Crop Science and Resource
as the implementation of water management from time series of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 n Bila
dissimilarity of time series can be a sign Tserkva region (Ukraine). Conservation, University of Bonn, Germany
technologies in vulnerable areas. Overall, the
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] Email: gghazary@uni-bonn.de

EO-BASED AGRO
“ The ERMES product of blast AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
MONITORING SYSTEM infection risk is more useful AND FISHERIES
TO SUPPORT REGIONAL than others, such as the
of current and forecasted risk of rice blast
DECISION-MAKING estimation of blast risk infection aggregated at municipality scale
The ERMES FP7 project’s occurrence derived from in-situ (www.ersaf.lombardia.it/servizi/bollettini/
downstream services provide decision index.aspx).
measurements.”
and policy makers with high-quality, Private insurance companies in the agricultural
large-scale information on crop Regione Lombardia
ERMES regional geoportal interface showing the rice sector, traders/millers or large cooperatives
evolution and yield forecasting. (e.g. regions, provinces, environmental of farmers could also benefit from ERMES
map for the Spanish Mediterranean area. Users get
access to a variety of products from crop monitoring protection agencies, etc.) with the mandate products and tools to deliver added-value
of i) monitoring cultivated surface and yield, ii) services. A major Italian insurance company,
The challenge from the eye icon on the left side.
implementing agro-policies, and iii) providing for example, delivers risk information derived
There is an increasing demand for systems able charge satellite imagery and EO products information to farmers concerning potential from the ERMES agro-monitoring regional
to provide Near Real Time (NRT) information from the European Copernicus Programme risks of biotic/a-biotic injuries or suggesting service to its customer pool as a support to
on crop condition and timely yield forecasts, (e.g. Sentinel-1/2A data, SPOT/VEGETATION best-practices for cultivation. reduce the risk of yield losses.
given the potential interest for a variety of - PROBA-V (GEOV1) LAI) and NASA (e.g.
MODIS and OLI data) to: i) assess the For example, the ERMES regional geoportal
authorities within the agricultural sector,
provided spatially explicit NRT information on
Acknowledgements
including private companies and institutional seasonal extent of rice cultivated area and
agro-practices, ii) estimate occurrence of rice season development together with biotic/ This work was supported by the EU 7th
stakeholders. Such operational agro-monitoring
phenological stages, and iii) retrieve crop leaf abiotic risk at regional/district scale. Rice crop Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013)
systems, able to deliver timely early warnings
area index to highlight anomalous conditions maps allow regional authorities to understand under Grant 606983 - ERMES project.
and yield forecasting maps over large areas,
of rice development in the on-going season. the spatial distribution of rice cultivation
may provide decision makers with information C. Granell1, S. Casteleyn1, L. Busetto2, S.
Customised regional products from the Water practices and their inter-annual variations,
on seasonal dynamics and potential crop Pascucci3, J. Garcia-Haro4, I. Gitas5, F. Holecz6,
Accounting Rice Modelling (WARM) solution obtaining initial estimates of the total area
production shortages, useful to monitor
were current and forecasted biotic risks for earlier than official statistics obtained from CAP D. Katsantonis7, R. Confalonieri8, M. Boschetti2
agro policies, coordinate relief initiatives and
rice cultivations and yield forecasts obtained subsidies declaration. 1. Geospatial Technologies Research Group - Univ.
control food prices’ volatility. Nevertheless,
from the assimilation of EO data and statistical Jaume I, Spain
they form a major technological challenge,
post-processing of model simulations. 2. Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the
as they require the gathering and integrating
Environment, Italian National Research Council,
of huge amounts of information derived from Timely and user-friendly dissemination and (CNR-IREA), Italy
remote sensing, weather and modelling data, delivery of these products to stakeholders 3. Institute of Methodologies for Environmental
and then the presenting of this processed, were as relevant and fundamental as the Analysis, Italian National Research Council, (CNR-
multi-scale, temporary variable data as products themselves to accomplish the
ERMES regional geoportal showing Normalized IMAA), Italy
actionable information to the end users in a expected benefits and impacts. A regional
Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) map and temporal 4. Department of Earth Physics and
useful, understandable and user friendly way. geoportal was specifically developed to trends for the Regione Lombardia (Italy). Thermodynamics, Faculty of Physics, Universitat de
allow efficient access to the rice-monitoring València, Spain
The space based solution information produced for regional services. Outlook to the future
5. Laboratory of Forest Management and Remote
Our focus was on developing a platform The regional geoportal offers downloadable Sensing, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
able to create, manage and disseminate NRT Benefits to Citizens products and charts to support both additional 6. sarmap SA, 6989Purasca, Switzerland
spatialised maps derived from the integration Adoption of the ERMES regional products can analysis and production of crop monitoring 7. Hellenic Agricultural Organization (DEMETER)
of remote sensing images, weather data and surely be beneficial for many distinct European bulletins. For example, a public agency of the 8. Università degli Studi di Milano, DESP, Cassandra lab
crop modelling solutions. We used free-of- stakeholders, including public authorities Lombardy Region produces daily bulletins Email: boschetti.m@irea.cnr.it

FREE INTERNET
“ I started using CropSAT in AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
PROGRAMME FOR 2017. My crops are now more AND FISHERIES
FARMERS uniform. It is good for the
nitrogen model for winter wheat and winter
CropSAT enables the farmer to environment and the protein rape. In the long term, the use of satellites
monitor the biomass on his field percentage in the grain in crop production will increase and only the
every time Sentinel-2 passes by. seems to rise.” “sky” is the limit as to their future use.
Furthermore, it can allow variable Field in CropSAT. The yellow colour shows areas
with low biomass and the dark green areas with the Lars Bonde, farmer
Acknowledgements
rate application maps for plant highest biomass.
protection. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data SEGES wants to thank the Danish Ministry of
Agriculture for being part of CropSAT for the
all his fields will appear. He can then select also improve food quality and safety to the last three years.
The challenge one field and request data from a particular benefit of the consumers. CropSAT contributes
to better quality crops, especially a higher CropSAT is developed by the Swedish
The challenge is to apply the right amount of day with no clouds where Sentinel-2 was
protein content. In Denmark, we strive to University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU),
fertiliser and pesticides based on crop density passing by.
produce as much protein as possible rather than Hushållningssällskapet and Dataväxt.
and vigour, which determines the crops ability The farmer will see his fields in yellow and importing soya from America. Organisations from Denmark, Sweden and
to utilise the fertiliser and pesticides. This will green colours. Yellow means lower biomass
secure a higher yield for the farmer and less In addition to this, CropSAT helps bring down Norway are developing CropSAT further
and very green means high biomass – see
nitrogen leaching to the environment. It will pesticide consumption, as pesticides and within the joint project “Innovationer för
picture 1.
also help bring down pesticide consumption, growth regulation will only be applied to the hållbar växtodling” funded by Interreg-ØKS.
as we only have to apply pesticides to the Afterwards, the farmer can type in kilo areas where it is needed.
areas where it is needed. nitrogen per hectare in the five levels –
see left side in picture 1. The next step in
The space based solution the programme will show the variable rate
application map for the field according to the
CropSAT is a user-friendly internet programme
fertiliser input.
for farmers. It is free of charge and has no
log-in requirements. If the farmer is satisfied with the application
map he can export the application file (shape
In CropSAT the farmer can see the changes
file), download it to a USB stick and transfer
in biomass on his fields every time the
it to the tractor terminal. The fertiliser will be
Sentinel-2 satellite passes Denmark.
spread according to the application map. The
Tractor spreading fertiliser according to a variable rate
He can use it for monitoring his fields and same procedure is used for pesticides. application map made in CropSAT.
to learn from his previous crop management,
and he can create variable rate application Benefits to Citizens
maps for fertiliser and plant protection. CropSAT provides benefits for better crop quality
The biomass map is based on data from and for the environment. The use of CropSAT is growing rapidly. In
Sentinel-2 where the NDVI vegetation index 2017 the programme had 7,300 unique users
In Europe, we place a high focus on nitrogen
is calculated. in Denmark and 4,100 in Sweden. The number
loss from fields to the aquatic environment.
of users is expected to increase rapidly
All the Danish fields (600,000 field polygons CropSAT enables a significantly higher degree
since CropSAT has now been translated into Rita Hørfarter
2.6 mill hectares) are shown in CropSAT. The of precision minimising local leaching. More
English. A new feature in 2018 is an automatic SEGES,Denmark
farmer only needs to type in his farm-ID and precise fertiliser and pesticide application will
Email: rih@seges.dk

PRECISION FARMING:
“ This service will significantly AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
MANAGEMENT change the way grasslands AND FISHERIES
OF GRASSLANDS are managed.”
At national level, this decision-support and
Optimised grassland Marc Fougere diagnostic tool makes it possible to quantify
management requires accurate French Chamber of Agriculture, Department the evolution of grass production on a large
knowledge of grassland of Loire-Atlantique scale in various soil and climate contexts,
availability and growth. The use such as in relation to a particular climatic
Variability of grassland management methods using event.
of remote sensing can provide an a temporal coloured composition, Sentinel-2 images Benefits to Citizens
operational solution. acquired at three dates along the growth season Remotely sensed grassland biomass data can Outlook to the future
(Region Pays de Loire, France). optimise agricultural practices on grasslands
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] The main challenge for the future is to increase
The challenge and improve agronomic performance and the robustness of the methodology by ensuring
Grazed grass is the cheapest feed in a to previous missions, which are more limited yields. Easy access to spatialised data the continuity of the digital service offered to
ration of livestock systems. Good grassland in terms of spatial and spectral resolution by farmers and managers allows for a farmers and managers on a weekly basis. The
management, amongst other things, requires and revisit frequency. measurable diagnosis of grassland conditions cloudiness constraint will be analysed using
knowledge of the amount of grass available. and provides access to plant growth Sentinel-2 time series data, Sentinel-1 radar
The Sentinel missions make it possible
assessment and on-farm yield simulation. images and vegetation development models.
The objective of this study is to provide users to consider new perspectives in precision
The methods that are available today to
(agricultural organisations, farmers) with farming by providing accurate and regular
assess grass supply are based on in situ Acknowledgements
information on the quantity of grass available monitoring of grassland biomass on a
measurements, which take time and are not
per agricultural plot, at a weekly rate. The full regional scale. This research is part of the CASDAR Herdect
very accurate. The remote sensing method
development of the operational service will be project, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture,
This procedure will be extended into a space- will provide access to relevant information
effective in the short term. It will be based on Agri-Food and Forestry. The Loire Atlantique
based operational solution. at low human and logistical costs. Finally,
easy access to data for users Chamber of Agriculture and AGROCAMPUS
the access to this management support tool
The time between the acquisition of Sentinel OUEST supported this work.
This will help to reduce managerial allows farmers to be involved and comforted
images and the availability of data is brief
observations on the ground and increase the in the implementation of their daily practices
and compatible with the users’ needs. These
accuracy of pasture management based on with the assurance of a management
data are available in near-real time and
biomass parcel data. consistent with the state of the vegetation.
can be immediately exploited as they are
pre-processed in geometry and corrected
for atmospheric effects. The estimate of
The current space-based method relies grassland biomass then becomes available
on the ability of remote sensing data to at the scale of an agricultural field within a
estimate grassland biomass. It must take timeframe suitable for agricultural activity.
into account the wide variability of conditions Herve’ Nicolas 1, Pauline Dusseux 1 and Alain
If clouds are present in some areas, several
encountered in grassland management that Airiaud 2
devices can be used to ensure continuity
depend on operator’s needs, grassland type, 1. AGROCAMPUS OUEST, France
of information such as the use of a grass
soil and climate conditions. Under these 2. Chambre d’Agriculture de Loire-Atlantique,
development model, multispectral drone
circumstances, high spatial and temporal Remotely sensed grassland biomass over a set of France
image acquisition and ground measurements
resolution of remote sensing data are agricultural parcels (Region Pays de Loire, France) Email: pauline.dusseux@agrocampus-ouest.fr
of grass height.
required. Sentinel missions make it possible (Source Agrocampus-Ouest). herve.nicolas@agrocampus-ouest.fr
to satisfy these new requirements, in contrast Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
alain.airiaud@pl.chambagri.fr

THE CHALLENGE OF
“ The EXCELSIOR project AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT envisions the establishment AND FISHERIES
IN CYPRUS USING of a Centre of Excellence
and stakeholders (farmers and water
COPERNICUS in Earth Observation and managers) with accurate estimations of crop
Copernicus can contribute Remote Sensing in the Eastern irrigation needs through the estimation of
to the rational management evapotranspiration by combining Landsat-
Mediterranean.” OLI, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 data. This can
of the limited available water
Professor Diofantos G. Hadjimitsis increase the temporal and spatial resolution
resources and assist farmers Map of Leaf Area Index (LAI) using Sentinel-2 of the available data and provide information
EXCELSIOR Project Coordinator
and stakeholders. satellite image for the area of Pafos in Cyprus. on a systematic basis with high frequency
and accuracy. The Copernicus Programme
The challenge and combined. Spectral signatures of selected through its Sentinel missions can provide
local crop types were acquired during each freely available satellite data with high spatial
Climate scenarios for the Eastern
of the phenological stages. Subsequently, and temporal resolution which can be used to
Mediterranean, based on large-scale climate
semi-empirical models were developed support the effective use of water resources
models, predict further aridification and
regarding crop canopy factors of each crop, for irrigation purposes. The EXCELSIOR
increasing variability of regional precipitation.
following its phenological stages. Vegetation project envisions upgrading the existing ERC
One of the most important challenges in
Indices were created from spectroradiometric into a Centre of Excellence (ECoE) for creating
the Eastern Mediterranean region is the
measurements during crops’ phenological an inspiring environment for conducting basic
adaptation to climate change in the water
stages. These indices were used to describe and applied research and innovation through
sector linked to water stress and water scarcity.
the crop canopy factors, namely, Leaf Area the integrated use of remote sensing and
According to the European Environment Spectral signature of vegetation presenting the
Index (LAI) and Crop Height (CH). The space-based techniques for monitoring the
Agency, the problem of irrigation in Europe reflectance values using both field spectroradiometric
developed semi-empirical models were found measurements and at-satellite reflectance for environment. One of the priorities of the
is mostly concentrated along the region of
to yield strong correlation coefficients. Sentinel-2. ECoE is to provide a comprehensive solution
the Mediterranean where some countries
to farmers through the development of smart
use more than 80% of total freshwater The models were evaluated with very Benefits to Citizens irrigation systems.
abstraction for agricultural purposes. The satisfactory results. The models were finally
need for water management at regional level, The retrieved information can be distributed
used to modify the algorithms decided to Acknowledgements
combined with the development and use to agricultural producers, water management
be adopted in this project, namely, SEBAL
of technological tools, can contribute to the authorities, and other end-users, for more The EXCELSIOR project is funded under
and Penman-Monteith, adapted to satellite
rational management of the limited available cost-effective farming. Furthermore, data Horizon 2020 Widespread-04-2017: Teaming
data. When employing the semi-empirical
water resources. products provide visual mapping and time- Phase 1 Coordination and support action.
models for modifying the two algorithms, the
series information allowing end-users to Grant agreement no.763643.
results were even more accurate and without
The space based solution obtain information on spatial and temporal
any significant difference (Papadavid et al.,
A novel method for estimating crop patterns of crop canopy development and
2013). Maps of crop evapotranspiration were
evapotranspiration (ETc) on a systematic basis water requirements which can offer benefits
created from the satellite images and the
using remote sensing techniques has been to water resource management and strategies Papoutsa, C., Kouta, G., Nisantzi, A., Mammou-
corresponding values were retrieved using
established by the ERATOSTHENES Research on water allocation priorities. ri, R., Prodromou, M., Loulli, E., Neocleous, K.,
Landsat-5 TM and Landsat-7 ETM+ images.
Centre (ERC). To reach this goal, ground Based on existing knowledge, researchers Themistocleous, K., Tzouvaras, M., Christofe,
truth data consisting of meteorological and from the ERC, are working on adapting the A., Mettas, C., Evagorou, E., Miltiadous, M.,
remotely sensed data, modelling techniques existing methodology to retrieve ETc values In the near future, the major goal is to Michaelides, S., Hadjimitsis
and energy balance algorithms were employed using Sentinel-2 data. be able to provide potential end-users D.G. Eratosthenes Research Centre, Cyprus

USING SATELLITE MAPS
“ A potential reduction in AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
TO SUPPORT VARIABLE production costs of about 70 AND FISHERIES
RATE FERTILISATION €/ha can be achieved using
more environmentally friendly and safe
Services developed in the ERMES ERMES services.” farming practices.
FP7 project can provide farmers Dimitrios Katsantonis, Researcher at Hellenic
with high quality information Outlook to the future
Agricultural Organization – Cereal institute
for performing Variable Rate modern rice production, typically accounting
The ERMES system is currently being further
Fertilisation practices. developed through several follow-up projects,
for 15% to 30% of total production costs.
including a demonstration project framed in
Experiments conducted during the ERMES
the “Rural development Programme“ initiative
project demonstrated in fact the usefulness
to support adoption of precision farming
The challenge Images acquired in critical moments of the season of satellite-based solutions for optimisation
in Italy. IT solutions and remote sensing
highlight the internal variability of single rice parcels, of production costs through a more
Availability of high-quality information products are also being used by Italy’s largest
in different moments. economical use of fertilizers, and improving
concerning spatial and temporal variability of agricultural group, Bonifiche Ferraresi, and by
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2016] yield through the better management of
crops’ distribution and status is of paramount Italian insurers aiming to include EO data in
(both optical and SAR) to characterise within- intra-field variability. For example, the
importance to support precision agriculture operational workflows for crop monitoring and
field crop status variability in the ongoing Hellenic Agricultural Organization (DEMETER)
solutions for improving productivity damage assessment.
growing season. Images were processed estimated that adoption of the proposed
and reducing costs, whilst minimising services could lead to a potential reduction
environmental impacts. Multi temporal using statistical methods in order to be able Acknowledgements
to identify homogeneous areas characterised in production costs of 70 €/ha in Greece.
satellite images, in fact, enable the variability Besides, demonstration in the Italian context This work was supported by the ERMES FP7
of crop status to be depicted in key periods of by different soil properties or crop conditions,
proved that when VRT technologies are project funded by the European Union Seventh
the crop growth cycle over large areas. This for each field. Starting from these within-field
adopted a rise in production is possible, Framework Programme under Grant 606983.
may facilitate the improvement of existing variability maps, farmers in the ERMES study
areas, with the assistance of ERMES personnel, leading to a potential increase in income
agricultural management practices through of around 72 €/ha. Proper management of L. Busetto1, S. Pascucci2, J. Garcia-Haro3,
a more rational application of fertilisers, were able to derive accurate prescription
maps for nitrogen fertilisation, for both the nitrogen fertilisation is also essential to avoid D. Katsantonis4, I.Gitas5, F. Holecz6,
with both environmental and economic (due negative environmental impacts, and to help R. Confalonieri7, I. Miralles8, M. Boschetti1
to the reduction of costs) advantages. In pre-sowing and the top-dressing phases to
farmers comply with European agricultural 1. Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of
this context, within the ERMES FP7 project be used in variable rate technology (VRT)
and food safety policies focused on promoting the Environment, Italian National Research
(An Earth obseRvation Model based RicE cultivation practices. Full-field experiments
Council, (CNR-IREA), Italy;
information Service - www.ermes-fp7space. conducted between 2014–2016 in Italy,
2. Institute of Methodologies for
eu), we aimed at developing operational Greece and Spain demonstrated that these Environmental Analysis, Italian National
workflows for the creation of prescription prescription maps allowed for better farm Research Council (CNR-IMAA), Italy
maps to be used for Variable Rate nitrogen management, leading to yield homogenisation 3. Faculty of Physics, Universitat de València,
fertilisation over rice fields, based on the and optimisation of the use of fertilisers. Spain
analysis of High Resolution satellite imagery. 4. Hellenic Agricultural Organization
Benefits to Citizens (DEMETER)
The space based solution Adoption of the services for precision 5. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
agriculture developed within ERMES could 6. sarmap SA, Switzerland
We used archive decametric/sub-decametric
surely benefit European farmers. For example, 7. Università degli Studi di Milano, DESP
satellite imagery to characterise spatial 8. Geospatial Technologies Research Group -
it is worth highlighting that the need for ERMES spatial variability maps were used to derive
variability related to soil properties and Very prescription maps for nitrogen fertilization. Univ. Jaime I, Castellón
High Resolution imagery acquired in key stages nitrogen fertilisation is a major expense in
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2016] Email: busetto.l@irea.cnr.it

MARITIME MONITORING
“ This work has many useful AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
FOR THE CONSERVATION applications across AND FISHERIES
OF UK MARINE RESOURCES departments, agencies and
Through maps of ship density, administrations. At Cefas, we
The next step will be to adapt the system
Sentinel-1 provides the means have seen immediate uptake to monitor the waters surrounding the UK
for sustainable management and for monitoring and observing overseas territories which host globally
protection of UK waters and its
UK waters.” significant biodiversity. Defining Marine
fisheries. Protected Areas for these territories is relatively
Lauren Biermann, Cefas straightforward, but monitoring and policing
Maritime traffic in the Strait of Dover highlighted by a
them is a challenge because of their large
mosaic of all the Sentinel-1 images acquired in 2017.
The challenge Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] based on their geographical position and size. extent, remoteness, and the limited resources
Beyond this initial phase, the system relies available. As Sentinel-1 reaches full operational
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries Whilst Sentinel-1 predominantly provides capacity, routine images are becoming available
solely on the free Sentinel-1 images, hence
and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), with its positional information (longitude and latitude over the overseas territories for which very little
the long term reduction in cost.
mission to protect the seas and ensure safe of the ships) and some indication on ship information was available in the past. Although
and sustainable seafood, is collaborating size, AIS messages have more detailed Quality wise, Sentinel-1 also provides a the number of images is smaller than that over
with Cranfield University to establish an information (ship position, type, speed, more complete maritime picture by revealing UK areas, the Sentinel-1 maritime monitoring
operational maritime monitoring system destination ...). The system developed by even the dark ships. The continuation of the system is anticipated to periodically enable the
based on Sentinel-1 imagery and data from Cefas and Cranfield University uses Machine Sentinel-1 mission over the next decade will assessment sea compliance.
the Automatic Identification System (AIS). Learning techniques and a large database allow generating time series of ship density
This solution responds to the need for a long- of AIS messages to enrich the information maps which reflect trends in fishing effort Acknowledgements
term and cost-effective system to protect provided by Sentinel-1. In practice, after and potential pollution. With these maps,
This project was funded by the Department
marine ecosystems and food security from detecting all the ships in a Sentinel-1 image, Cefas has access to reliable intelligence to
for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Earth
threats such as overfishing and pollution. the system attributes the most probable ship sustainably manage and protect the UK
Observation Centre of Excellence and the
type (for e.g. cargo, tanker, fishing ship) to waters and its fisheries which significantly
The monitoring system takes advantage of Marine Monitoring Organisation.
each detected ship based on its estimated contribute to food security, livelihoods, and
the Sentinel-1 constellation which generates
position and size. the economy.
an unprecedented volume of high-quality
radar images capable of providing actionable Ultimately, the system provides maps of ship
intelligence about maritime activities in critical density (number of ships per month in a
fishing regions. given area) for different ship types which can
be further analyzed for trends and patterns.
Radar images like those produced by
Sentinel-1 are operationally used to detect This Sentinel-1-based system improves
ships as small as 20 m, even in cloudy maritime monitoring both in terms of cost
conditions. In particular, Sentinel-1 can detect and quality. In the past, Cefas mainly used
the ships which broadcast identification commercial AIS data as a source of information.
Boris Snapir 1 and Lauren Biermann 2
messages using their onboard AIS, but also With this new monitoring method, AIS data
those which do not use or have AIS, also are only needed initially to teach the system Distribution of AIS messages which are used to teach 1. Cranfield University, United Kingdom
the system how to automatically recognize different 2. CEFAS, United Kingdom
referred to as dark ships. how to automatically recognize ship types
ship types.
Email: b.j.snapir@cranfield.ac.uk

COPERNICUS SUPPORTS
“ Earth Observation services AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
FOREST MONITORING FOR provide accurate indicators to AND FISHERIES
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT monitor Pyrenean forests and
environmental policy, territorial planning and
OF NATURAL RESOURCES to promote economic activity economic development. For example, the
EUGENIUS is the SME network development in the territory.” benefit of creating new forest tracks to access
for the provision of Copernicus- isolated parcels can be evaluated from these
J.M Noisette, Project Manager, products.
based services for end users in Regional Direction for Agriculture
various European regions. Area of interest (8 250 km²) for the Forestry Earth and Forestry of Occitanie Outlook to the future
Observation Application delivered to local public
authorities and located in the south-west of Occitanie Forest monitoring services developed as
region (France). Thematic indicators are extracted from these part of the Eugenius project make sense for
The challenge Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
products to describe, compare and monitor public local authorities if they are integrated
The management and exploitation of Pyrenean Tree species identification is based on the use heterogeneous situations (different tree into a single “thematic service package” with
forests are real challenges for local public of a Sentinel-2 image time series composed species, various soil and climatic conditions interoperable and complementary products.
authorities to ensure the sustainability and of ten dates. Biophysical parameters are and various forestry practices). Additional products will be included into this
the economic development of their territory. extracted from these multispectral images to package using other Copernicus data and
Amongst these indicators, we can mention
Most of the Pyrenean forests belong to small describe forest canopy; the evolution of these products such as Sentinel-1 images and their
the “Forest Value Indicator” which groups
private owners making it difficult to monitor indicators makes the differentiation of tree complementarity with optical sensors. Thanks
information such as the parcel accessibility
and manage forests at a regional level. This species possible giving precise information at to the Eugenius network, the complementary
and the tree species to estimate the economic
natural resource is thus difficult to assess specific phenological stages. Forest areas are skills of 3 European companies (Terranis,
value of the parcel. Logging detection products
and mobilise, preventing the development of located using the Copernicus High Resolution Spacebel, Sertit) can be gathered for proposing
provide land managers with indicators such
industrial and economical activities. Layer Forest Type. For logging identification, the best use of Copernicus images by several
as the “Annual Exploited Forest Area”.
change detection algorithms are used to regional authorities in Europe.
Earth observation applications referenced as
compare Sentinel-2 images acquired in 2015
Eugenius services aim to provide accurate Acknowledgements
and 2017.
indicators on more than 300,000 ha of forest
to update environmental and economic This project has received funding from the EU
Benefits to Citizens H2020 research and innovation programme
indicators used by the Region. Tree species
identification, logging detection and parcel Because most private Pyrenean forest parcels under grant agreement No 730150 EUGENIUS
accessibility assessment are key indicators are underexploited, forests are getting older H2020-EO-2016.
used to estimate the economic value of forest with low profitability and a low rate of
areas. These indicators are used by public resource renewal. Having a better knowledge
authorities to define land planning policy, of the forest at a regional scale is mandatory
to promote sustainable forest exploitation to define a coherent planning policy to favour
a sustainable forest exploitation and to attract Guillaume Rieu1, Nadine Tholey2
activities and to attract new financial
industrials and economic activities (ex.: and Sadri Haouet3
authorities.
creation of forest roads, territorial projects 1. Terranis, France
Logging areas detected with Sentinel-2 images in a
The space based solution development or forestry sector support). forest region of the Pyrenees. 2. ICube-Sertit, France
Credit: Copernicus Service information 2017 3. Spacebel, Belgium
Eugenius Earth Observation products Eugenius forestry products are mainly
developed for forest monitoring make massive Email: guillaume.rieu@terranis.fr
delivered to local public authorities to be These indicators are used by public authorities
use of Copernicus Sentinel data and products. used for better management of their territory. nadine.tholey@icube.unistra.fr
to define regional strategies in terms of
sadri.haouet@spacebel.be

EARTH OBSERVATION
“ Really small chestnut groves, AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
SERVING REGIONAL not represented on our initial AND FISHERIES
FORESTERS maps were detected by
Operational satellite-based Earth satellite.”
Observation services support Using a multi-temporal optical satellite
Maren Baumeister, CRPF Lorraine-Alsace image coverage, covering different phases of
the regional forestry sector to the annual chestnut development cycle and
valorise a forgotten resource, combining ALOS AVNIR-2 with SPOT 5 images,
Environmentally, with global warming,
Chestnut groves, providing fruit climate forecasts show an increase in and geo-localised field data, a methodology to
and rot-resistant wood. Chestnut tree flowering in early summer © SERTIT. typical West France tree species including differentiate and map them was developed in
the chestnut tree. Conversely, beech which collaboration with the CRPF Lorraine-Alsace.
The challenge client. Here, ICube-SERTIT developed a densely populates the region is vulnerable to Exploiting Sentinel-2 with its high-resolution,
method to precisely map chestnut stands climate change. Hence, the need to focus on high-frequency revisits, covering the entire
The chestnut species is considered promising vegetation cycle should help account for the
throughout Alsace using multi-date satellite the chestnut tree. The knowledge of the geo-
as it acclimatises to global warming. The rot- window fluctuating from year to year depending
imagery and field samples. location of chestnut groves, often managed
resistant chestnut wood was used in German on meteorological conditions making this
The challenge was to distinguish chestnut within small private forest estates, was
and French vineyards on the eastern flanks service even more generic and operational. In
trees from other species. Thankfully, chestnut not well known and will help preserve and
of the Vosges Mountains. No longer used, conclusion, this operational service, which was
trees bloom in early summer facilitating the enhance this species in forestry practices.
knowledge of this resource has dwindled. awarded an Innovation Trophy by the NE French
Furthermore, these forest stands are under task to distinguish them from other species Economically, abandoned in viticulture, Forestry sector, can be applied to other regions
attack by a canker. that flower earlier or later. Hence, by acquiring chestnut wood is presently under-exploited and diversified to map other tree species.
images at several times during the same in Alsace, being often used for firewood.
Today, it is thought that its wood could be
growing season, SERTIT has determined the Comparable to exotic woods, German Acknowledgements
better exploited. Hence, an international
percentage of the main tree species in the foresters are now producing quality timber.
Interreg IV project focused on conservation These activities have mostly occurred within
Upper Rhine region focussing on chestnut Quality trunks are abundant in Alsace groves
and on wood and fruit use was set-up. At the Interreg IV - Upper Rhine Chestnut
trees. The Earth Observation derived but marketed volumes are small. The project’s
the request of regional foresters, namely, the project, benefiting from the European
mapping results were validated during field forestry guide and promotional activities
Lorraine-Alsace Regional Centre for Forest Regional Development Fund. Equally, thanks
campaigns. A partial validation was carried have helped an emerging market of chestnut
Owners (Centre Régional de la Propriété are owed to the Grand Est region (especially
out by the Lorraine-Alsace CRPF. Concerning wood, i.e. avalanche barriers.
Forestière or CRPF), ICube-SERTIT’s challenge the Alsace territory) for its support in the
mature chestnut stands it shows an accuracy
was to map this species in Alsace. above-mentioned project.
of 85%. The results highly convinced the
The space based solution foresters who are now exploiting the results.
Colette Meyer 1, Mathilde Caspard 1,
Specialised in satellite image processing Benefits to Citizens Henri Giraud 1, Pascal Ancel 2 and Maren
and operational service development, ICube- Baumeister 2
The chestnut grove is a defining feature of
SERTIT is very active providing services to 1. ICube-SERTIT, University of Strasbourg,
these piedmont landscapes, once punctuated
regional foresters, covering forest inventory
by vineyards and orchards, inducing the France
and resource monitoring within the Grand-
agricultural use of wood, in addition to its 2. Centre Régional de la Propriété Forestière
Est Region of France. Furthermore, it provides
use in traditional houses Local authorities are (CRPF) de Lorraine-Alsace, France
customised windfall damage and tree die-off
promoting and hence increasing the awareness 3D view of Chestnut grove mapping (beige areas) in Email: sertit@icube.unistra.fr
mapping services. All services are developed
of the socio-economic benefits of the chestnut the Vosges, Alsace, France. SPOT5 image ©CNES (2009), pascal.ancel@crpf.fr
using satellite data and validated by the
groves by properly valorising them. processing ©ICube-SERTIT
maren.baumeister@crpf.fr

EO BASED SERVICE FOR
“ This satellite-based application AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
FOREST MANAGEMENT can help us to manage the AND FISHERIES
SAT4EST is a pre-operational remote forest in the mountains.”
management tasks. Additionally, it can
web-based service dedicated to Local administration in Nowy Targ, Poland serve private forest companies dealing with
the management of privately- preparation of the forest inventories private.
owned forest in Poland. This The service is at the pre-operational stage. Generally, the proposed service will make
service improves the forest It is currently being tested in three pilot administrative processes more efficient and
monitoring processes at regional districts in Poland. The pilot districts vary transparent. It may also help to reduce
level. in terms of geographical location: mountains the overall cost of the forest management
(Nowy Targ), lowland (Sieradz) and suburban at regional level. The project also involves
(Legionowo), anthropogenic pressure, and training and promotion of the Copernicus data
The challenge level of forest management maturity. to the large community of end users.
The forest in Poland covers 9215 thousand Forest clear cuts detected between 2015 and 2017
hectares, which is 29.5% of the country. using Sentinel-2 data over the mountain forest in the Benefits to Citizens Outlook to the future
Nowy Targ District, Poland.
More than 80% of the forest is publicly- Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2015, The local administration tends to rely on The Remote Sensing Centre of the Institute
owned, including those administered by the 2017] the cadastral land records that show large of Geodesy and Cartography will continue its
State Forests (77%). Privately-owned forest discrepancies between the official records successful collaboration with the Taxus.IT
accounts for around 20% of the total forest. used to derive a set of EO products which
meet the user requirements and obligations. and forest on the ground. The traditional company in the system and service
Forest is managed according to the forest method of surveying is time consuming, development. The ambition of the project
management plan, taking into account the For example, these products are forest and
woodlands cover, forest change mapping expensive and challenging, particularly, in consortium is to benefit from the constellation
sustainable forest economy. The privately- the remote mountain areas. The proposed of Sentinels and to develop the fully
owned forest is managed by the local on the regular bases, forest type, canopy
coverage and forest condition. There are also EO based service serves the needs of local operational service. The service is designed
administration - district governor (at the administration for a) preparation of tender to be easily transferable to other regions and
second administrative level, NUTS 4). The products available on demand like assessment
of forest damage due to windstorms, fires, for simplified forest management plans, b) districts. More details on the SAT4EST system
governor acts as the controlling body for the verification and acceptance of those plans and service is available at www.sat4est.pl.
private owners. The governor is responsible for insect infestations or estimation of forest
aboveground biomass. and c) control of the execution of the forest
preparation and verification of the simplified Acknowledgements
forest management plans and for continuous The EO based products are integrated into
monitoring of the forest areas. Up to now, The SAT4EST project is founded by the
the SAT4EST system. The system consists of
there has been a lack of an operational tool European Space Agency (ESA) in the
the remote sensed data component, ancillary
to support local administration in monitoring framework of the Polish Incentive Scheme
data component, data processing and map
of forest cover and forest changes at regional programme. The EO based service is a joint
server components. The web architecture
level. effort of the Remote Sensing Centre of IGIK
and user-friendly interface running on the
and Taxus.IT.
internet browser makes the service intuitive
The space based solution and ease to understand and navigate. The
Satellites provide a cost-effective way to users are able to view current and archived A. Hoscilo 1, A. Lewandowska 1, A. Konieczny 2,
obtain systematic information on the forest satellite images (i.e. Sentinel-2 and Landsat), K. Mroczek 2 and S. Kulik 2
status and properties. The SAT4EST offers to to compare various EO products with existing 1. Institute of Geodesy and Cartography -
the users a large spectrum of satellite-based ancillary data, to upload own datasets, A tree cover mask derived base on the analysis of multi-
Remote Sensing Centre, Poland
calculate statistics and generate reports. temporal Sentinel-2 data; fragment of the Legionowo
products. A time series of the European 2. Taxus.IT, Poland
District.
satellites Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 data is Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] Email: agata.hoscilo@igik.edu.pl

FOREST HEALTH
“ This is the perfect tool to get AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
MONITORING: an affordable overview of our AND FISHERIES
AN APPLICATION properties, providing important
available tools for mitigating the effects of
IN PORTUGAL information. It makes our lives forest disturbances and thereby keeping
Silvisense is a state-of-the-art easier and allows us to focus an improved overall forest resource quality,
leading to higher priced values for re-sales
service offering timely detection on other topics.” and further production.
of disturbance outbreaks within Jorge Freire, AproFlora, a national association
forest resources. The Silvisense service is already rolled out
of forest owners of Portugal
in two different European countries, with
The red polygons show automated change detections
volume estimates of forest area per forest differently sized pilot customers operating
in region of Sertã, Portugal (large: forest fire, small:
stand. By incorporating the Silvisense service and providing feedback. Amongst them
The challenge disease outbreaks).
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] into their production chain, our customers are there are representatives of the national
Today the forestry sector is struggling to able to improve the planning, containment and associations of forest owners such as
capture the disturbance outbreaks in a timely technology innovations to offer a cost- AproFlora and Unimadeiras of Portugal and
efficient monitoring service for a wide removal of disturbances at a lower cost, and
manner to limit the corresponding damage With improved forest management, society Allskog and Viken Skog of Norway.
to their forest. Substantial values are lost range of customers. We combine Sentinel-2
imagery with state-of-the-art algorithms to gains an increased capacity for capturing
if the disease spread is not contained in global carbon emissions through the securing
due time. In Europe, as of 2005, forest perform scalable and fully automated data
analyses. The customers can choose from a of a larger volume of standing viable forest. We are currently busy setting up
disturbance affected over 6.4% of the total Ecological damage is reduced with access to an infrastructure as a part of the
forested area, with a production turnover range of products available for subscription
through the Silvisense API: more timely disturbance detections, and this operationalisation. Moreover, together with
estimated (in 2011) of 485 billion euro. results in improved water and air quality, our Partners we are focused on demonstrating
Thus, forest disturbances cost Europe 31 • Pine disturbance maps wildlife habitats and genetic diversity. a new set of products through the EU FOCUS
billion euro annually. The disturbances are project. This will be achieved by extracting
reducing the volume of healthy and viable • Clear-cut validation maps
biophysical parameters from Sentinel-2
forest for wood products, timber industries • Land classification maps data and hyperspectral data acquired with
hence threatening the global bioeconomy. airborne systems.
•U
pdated, tailored satellite imagery
The space based solution over select regions
Acknowledgements
Manual identification of disturbance outbreaks • Forest fire mapping
The development projects leading to this
in a tree is not only time consuming but also • Drought mapping application have received funding from the
does not give accurate results. Providing a Norwegian Space Office, the European Space
fast, automated and accurate solution using A Silvisense user will have the capacity to
Agency Innovation Call, and the European
image processing techniques offers significant detect disturbance outbreak and clear-cut the
Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation
added value. Some of the benefits of remotely declining trees at an earlier stage, resulting
programme (GA No 776026).
sensed, multispectral imaging are that this in a 60% reduction in corresponding disease
technology gives consistent results, is simple outbreak during the following season. Thus, Silvisense is a service that provides automated forest
to use, allows for rapid assessments, is non- increasing 4% of the total forest value. monitoring using Copernicus satellite data.
destructive, highly accurate, and has a broad
Benefits for citizens
range of applications. Maria Jozefiak and Christina Aas
Our industrial partners occupied with timber
We offer annual monitoring for forest Science [&] Technology AS, Norway
The Silvisense service uses the latest and wood production are happy to have
ownership associations to provide input on Email: info@stcorp.no

FOREST MONITORING
“ Earth Observation and AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
SERVICE FOR change products suitable for AND FISHERIES
SOUTH TYROL a mountain region like South
measures now and with a view on climate
Providing information on changes Tyrol is revolutionizing our change. The ongoing conversion of pine forest
of forest extent and conditions forest monitoring.” stands in lower elevation zones to hardwood
tailored to the needs of a dominated near-natural mixed forests across
Günther Unterthiner, South Tyrol is only one example. The Forest
regional Forest Service to support Forest Service of Bolzano
Service estimates its direct annual monetary
management and planning. Monitoring of forest conditions using vegetation benefits of around € 50,000 coming from the
indices to identify and map vitality loss. recreation opportunities for tourists and assessment of 1,200 forest damage locations
residents but most importantly the effective by 1.5 person/year.
The challenge imagery provided by the Sentinel-2 satellite protection against soil erosion and natural
constellation as well as the geographical hazards such as avalanches, landslides and Outlook to the future
Vast areas totalling 800 ha of dried up pines
information by the Copernicus land debris flows. The Forest Service’s mission
dominated the slopes of the Vinschgau The strategy for the future is to improve and
monitoring service, which makes it scalable is to sustain the forests in providing the
Valley in South Tyrol (Italy) in spring 2017. enhance the Forest Monitoring Service according
to any other region. The Forest Monitoring lasting benefits to citizens and forest owners
These were largely the result of the severe to the requirements and priorities of the Forest
Service offers a set of accurate, timely and
drought of the previous two years combined Service. We plan to map the actual distribution
area-wide information on forest ecosystems.
with an increased vulnerability towards of tree species to evaluate their site-specific
This set comprises annual information such
pest infestations. This is only one example suitability in the face of climate change
as cloud-free image mosaics and information
where the Forest Service of the regional projections to better adapt forest management
on forest extent, loss or partially damaged
administration needs specific information decisions. This mapping attempt will benefit
areas. This is complemented by a near
about forest conditions to define and adapt significantly from the synergies of the fully
real-time mapping service that identifies
site-specific management strategies and to operational Sentinel constellations. As an
potentially damaged areas with each new
control their effects on the forest ecosystems. institution which is primarily regionally funded,
satellite image acquisition and continuously
Due to the i) large dimension of forest, ii) we can ensure the long-term sustainability of
tracks forest stand vitality as well as recovery
the importance of protecting the forest and our service and plan to extent it on an alpine
based on vegetation indices. We provide all
iii) the remoteness and inaccessibility of level as part of our Sentinel Alpine Observatory
information (images, maps, quality measures
mountain areas, Earth Observation is often initiative (www.sao.eurac.edu).
and metadata) via a Web Map Service to
the only means to monitor the extent and
allow the direct integration into the Forest Acknowledgements
conditions of mountain forests and efficiently
Information System for supporting the
alert and inform about forest changes in a We acknowledge past funding (EU-FP 7 project
work of a total of 300 foresters. To foster Near-real time identification of forest changes to
timely, accurately and spatially explicit way. EUFODOS: European Forest Downstream
the acceptance of our maps, we regularly support the management of protection forests.
meet with the Forest Service and provide Services - Improved Information on Forest
The space based solution Structure and Damages) which allowed us to
information and training sessions to foresters. who rely on them. The Forest Monitoring
At Eurac Research, we developed a pre- develop the service for South Tyrol.
Service strongly supports the Forest Service
operational Forest Monitoring Service that Benefits to Citizens in developing tools and generating datasets
is tailored to the needs of the regional to achieve this objective. The continuous
Mountain forests cover nearly half of the
administration and adapted to the IT of the provision of high quality, timely, area-wide Ruth Sonnenschein 1 and Günther Unterthiner 2
area of South Tyrol and provide a wide range
Forest Service. The service is entirely based and digital information on forest conditions 1. Eurac Research, Italy
of benefits: provision of wood and natural
on the Copernicus programme and makes is crucial to plan and evaluate management 2. Forest Service, Italy
resources, conservation of biodiversity,
use of all available high-resolution optical Email: ruth.sonnenschein@eurac.edu

FORESTLAND DECAY IN
“ This application of Copernicus AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
MARESME USING Sentinel-2 has transformed AND FISHERIES
SENTINEL-2 IMAGERY Earth Observation Data into a
The results, published as official maps by
Recent available SENTINEL 2 decision support information.” the DIBA, are used by the Department of
data represents a new key to Ramon Riera, Agriculture of Catalonia (DARP) as a decision
providing a feasible monitoring Diputació de Barcelona support tool for the forest management of
of decay of forest mass on a affected areas during the 2017 campaign.
SENTINEL-2 imagery over the study area taken at
regional scale. zone (B2) that helps to correct the signal Outlook to the future
02/08/2015 and 26/08/2016
associated with the soil and the atmospheric The resulting maps show some areas of
effects. maximum affectation and expansion that will
The challenge This article describes the methodology used
Indices calculation was carried out without be consolidated (corroborated) by a new study
in the study and the first results obtained.
A significant portion of the forests of the previous fieldwork, so the images of infrared of the EVI including the 2017 data.
DIBA technical services are charged with the
Maresme region (Catalunya, Spain) is affected photogrammetric flights from 2015 and 2016 DIBA and ICGC work together in a coordinated
task of validating the results in situ.
by a severe decaying of the trees, in particular, of the ICGC ortoXpres free service (25 cm of way to enlarge and improve the analysis moving
the stone pine (Pinus pinea), due to different The space based solution spatial resolution) were consulted, to relate towards 2017. The new areas aimed at for the
factors like drought, the infestation by a the results of the index to the different project will be to increase the area of study,
wood boring insect (Thomicus destruens) and The images captured by the MSI sensor of degrees of decay of the forest masses.
the Sentinel-2A satellite, with public and to foster whole fieldwork measurements and
by several fungi. validation in the forestland during the summer
free access, were used as a basic material
to detect the decline of the forest masses for of 2017 (closer to data acquisition of Sentinel-2
one year, between the summers of 2015 and images) and to improve the distinction between
2016. forest and shrub cover introducing Lidar dataset.
In total, 11 images were obtained along the Acknowledgements

different weather stations. The first image
The authors thank both institutions DIBA-
was taken on 2 August 2015 and the last
ICGC for the cross-fertilisation of experiences.
one on 24 November 2016. With this set of
Partial affected Pinus pinea forestland in Maresme images, the phonological cycle of trees could
In order to be able to delimit the areas be interpreted from summer to winter of Legend and decay map from EVI between 2015 and 2016
with affected trees, Institut Cartogràfic i 2015 and in the same seasonal period for on local scale and changes by using SENTINEL-2 imagery
Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC), at the request 2016. The changes show the areas of expansion of
of Diputació de Barcelona (DIBA), has carried One of the techniques most used in Earth decay according to EVI resulting maps from
out a complete detection based on the study Observation to detect vegetation and assess 2015 and 2016.
of Sentinel-2A imagery of Copernicus (The its state is the use of vegetation indices, which
European Earth Observation Programme). The are based on the arithmetic combination
study focused on the detection of affected of two or more spectral bands sensitive to EVI enables the clear detection of the
forestland in summer between 2015 and Anna Tardà, Lydia Pineda, Vicenç Palà,
characteristic behaviours of vegetation. affected areas in the summer images with
2016, based on vegetation indices, especially Jordi Corbera and Fernando Pérez
good spectral signatures thanks to well
from the Improved Vegetation Index (EVI) The vegetation index chosen was the Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya,
illuminated areas. Mountainous areas with
and the subsequent analysis of the changes Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), since it Spain
shadow effects were not as well detected.
and tendencies toward decay. incorporates the radiation of the blue spectral
Email: anna.tarda@icgc.cat

OPERATIONAL
“ The successfully implemented AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
AFFORESTATION afforestation monitoring system AND FISHERIES
MONITORING is a timesaving tool for
An operational afforestation foresters.”
monitoring system has been ThüringenForst will continue to implement this
Sergej Chmara, method to monitor and verify afforestation
developed in the Free State ThüringenForst Institute under Public Law areas in a ten-year inventory and planning cycle,
of Thuringia in Germany using which is the normal practice in Germany. This
Copernicus and auxiliary GIS data. Benefits to Citizens means that the afforestation product is delivered
Monitoring of afforestation for a test site in the
Forests play an important role in the regulation annually for one tenth of the federal state.
forest district Hainich-Werratal (from the left to the
right): forest mask in green, areas already recognised of ecosystems. In addition to multi-faceted In the future, the Copernicus High Resolution
The challenge as forest in light green, new forest areas in orange, range of services, forests are important for the Layers will be replaced by a forest mask and
orthophotos in the background. well-being of the human population. Forests tree density generated layers using up-to-date
In Germany the federal states are responsible Sentinel data (as shown in the image on the
fulfill many functions such as the protection of
for the monitoring, controlling and planning according to the Thuringian forest law. bottom left of this page) because of their higher
groundwater, against floods, noise protection,
of local forest areas. Depending on the state’s In order to eliminate those areas and to spatial and temporal resolution. Moreover, new
provide places for recreation and etc. These
regulations, the relevant authorities are in improve the accuracy of the final product, monitoring services using Sentinel data are
are reasons why forest areas are particularly
charge of the recognition and the designation the Copernicus HRLs are combined with being developed. These services particularly
protected by law. In Germany, forests cannot
of new potential areas covered by trees as auxiliary data. For this purpose, additional focus on rapid mapping of biotic and abiotic
be transferred to other forms of use such as
the land use type “forest”. Thuringian GIS information provided by changes in forests as well as the classification
for building development.
the Agency for Surveying and Geodata of tree species.
Without precise knowledge of the position
(Federal State Thuringia) and the Thuringian The proposed monitoring system significantly
and extent of new forest areas, the local
Agriculture Administration representing improves the ability of efficiently detecting Acknowledgements
forestry authorities are facing difficulties.
land use and land cover classes as well as afforestation areas and thus supporting
Since cost-effective methods are favourable, The authors would like to thank the Agency
a normalised Digital Surface Model (nDOM) public forestry authorities in forest inventory
a procedure for monitoring afforestation for Surveying and Geodata (Federal State
have been implemented. In the first step, the and planning.
using open access Copernicus data has been Thuringia) and the Thuringian Agriculture
spatial accuracy is improved by combining
developed. The procedure does not cover Administration for providing the auxiliary
the Copernicus HRLs with the nDom. Only
the regular deforestation, as clear-cutting data as well as the German Ministry of
areas classified as “forest” and those with
requires authorisation. Therefore its position Transport and Digital Infrastructure for
vegetation higher than two metres are
and extent are well known. financial support of the project, ‘Sentinels for
considered for further work. Afterwards, the
Thuringian Information Systems’.
The space based solution areas covered by trees but not representing
“forest” are eliminated using the GIS
The monitoring of afforestation is conducted information.
with the help of Copernicus High Resolution
Layers (HRLs) Forests i.e. Tree Cover Density As a result, an accurate forest afforestation
map is generated. The map together with a Herbert Sagischewski
and Forest Type as well as a priori information. and Martyna Stelmaszczuk-Górska
work card listing all potential afforested areas
Remote sensing products, such as Copernicus, is made available to the local forestry officers, Forest mask and tree density generated for a test Gotha Forestry Research and Centre of
depict all types of land use dominated by who are responsible for the verification and site in the forest district Heldburg with the use of Expertise (FFK Gotha), ThüringenForst
trees. This also means surfaces covered by classification of the new forest areas. up-to-date Sentinel data (from the left to the right): Institution under Public Law, Germany
short-time rotation plantations, fruit trees Sentinel-2 (false color composite), forest mask and tree
Email: herbert.sagischewski@forst.
and parks which do not represent “forest” density. Copernicus Sentinel Data 2016 / FFK Gotha
thueringen.de

REMOTE SENSING FOR
“ This application is revolutionary AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
GARAJONAY NATIONAL in the forestry sector and is a AND FISHERIES
PARK MANAGEMENT great advance in the way that
In addition, Agresta S.Coop. has automated all
Understanding the Laurisilva forest decision-making can be carried the processing chain from image to products,
dynamics has been crucial for the out in forest management.” making the work more efficient.
management of Garajonay. In the
Ángel Fernandez, Outlook to the future
last decade this has been made Garajonay N. P. Director
possible thanks to the historical Finer spatial and spectral resolution of Sentinel-
series of Landsat images. 2 compared to Landsat helped improve the
Free availability of images together with identification of devitalised areas in Laurisilva
open source image processing software like forest. Sentinel-2 opens up a wide range of
The challenge possibilities for detailed studies in the forestry
QGIS or SNAP (Sentinel Application Platform)
Laurisilva forest in Garajonay National Park allows high quality spatio-temporal studies, sector. For Agresta S.Coop, the Copernicus
(GNP) (La Gomera, Canary Island) is the best at low cost. It enables the study of large Programme is essential for many of its current
preserved sample of this type of vegetation areas and the analysis of landscape dynamics work and future strategies. For example, current
Evolution of EVI for an area with devitalisation
throughout the Canary Islands. It has a symptoms, mainly in years of severe drought. that help explain current forest state and efforts focused on forestry species identification
mature state of conservation but presents processes. Easy access to these tools also will certainly be improved by the possibility
signs of decay in some areas. Understanding indices were computed from historical series of combining different sources of imagery like
brings this technology closer to citiziens.
the possible causes is crucial and analysis of Landsat images. The Enhanced Vegetation optical Sentinel-2 and radar Sentinel-1.
This also provides greater understanding and
of forest evolution through images over the Index (EVI) showed the...It shoud be: The
awareness for the care of the environment.
last decade is the main tool for a complete Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) showed Acknowledgements
overview of the problem. the best performance. The figure shows We are grateful to Ángel B. Fernández López
the mean tendency of an area labelled as who supplied the terrain information and all
The space based solution devitalised (see next figure). It is normal to the knowledge about Laurisilva in Garajonay
observe the lowest values in years of severe National Park. This study is part of a more
The historical series of Landsat imagery
drought. However, this kind of vegetation comprehensive research study developed by
allowed the analysis of annual variability
recovers quickly with the presence of clouds. Garajonay National Park whose aim is to have
of different vegetation indices between
1995 and 2016. We aimed to identify areas We also used Sentinel-2 images to evaluate a deep comprehension of vegetation inside
showing a devitalisation tendency during the the current state of Laurisilva forest in GNP. the Park.
studied period. We located devitalised and healthy areas
during a summer field campaign in 2017 and
The temporal resolution obtained with
used the data, first, to train a classification
Landsat enabled the provision of enough
model applied on Sentinel images and then
images to build mosaics free of clouds. For
to validate results.
the devitalised areas detection we created
annual mosaics and tested various vegetation Benefits to Citizens
indices together with an algorithm called
“greenbrown”. This algorithm is used to Updated maps of the state of Laurisilva forest
and location of devitalisation hot spots are Mariluz Guillen-Climent, Nur Algeet-Abarquero,
analyse trend changes in gridded time series Mapping of areas showing a negative slope in trend
such as from satellite observations or climate useful tools for decision-making in forest analysis (1995-2016) in Laurisilva forest in Garajonay Pedro Ranz, Jose Luis Tomé and Lucia Yánez
model simulation. In this case vegetation management. National Park Agresta S. Coop., Spain
Email: mguillen@agresta.org

SATELLITES MONITOR
“ Effective law enforcement AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
FOREST CHANGES IN is beneficial to the entire AND FISHERIES
FINLAND forest industry.“
The space data based cloud Aki Hostikka,
service monitors Finnish Head of Financing and Inspections The service has been developed in a three-
Finnish Forest Centre year project which ends in 2019. The last year
forests and provides up-to-date of the project is for operational piloting. The
information about the changes environmental changes. This helps to react initial service has approval from the Finnish
for Finnish forest authorities. faster and make relevant decisions concerning Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The forest
Automatic process classifies forest biomass changes authorities intend to put the technology into full
the changed forest area.
between clear cuts (red) and thinnings (yellow).
operational use throughout Finland.
The technique has a significant positive
The challenge machine learning methods and artificial operational, ecological and financial benefits. In the future, satellite technology can
intelligence. As a result, the process provide new applications for defining forest
Satellio has developed a forest monitoring Law enforcement is improved as the changes
produces a coherent time series of the management needs and monitoring overall
service based on Sentinel-2-data in the are recognised efficiently and more accurate
desired geographic areas. Sentinel-2-satellite forest condition.
Finnish Government led project. The forest analysis can be made to predict direct and
constellation has a good revisit time providing
authorities had need for new methods to indirect impacts of forest use.
several images from area of interest. Acknowledgements
collect up-to-date information about forest
inventories and loggings. Next the automatic process analyses image The solution enables monitoring to ensure The Finnish Government head project has
series, detects and classifies forest biomass forest management duties are conducted been carried out in co-operation with Satellio
The efficient monitoring and controlling large on the correct areas and in the time period
changes between clear cuts and thinnings. Oy (Ltd), VTT technical Research of Finland,
forest areas has been challenging and resource as informed. Furthermore, the control of
The service interprets types of change, time Finnish Forest Centre, National Resource
consuming. Previously the forest authorities conservation areas is easier as the automatic
frame and geometry. Generated information Institute Finland, Finnish Environment
have mainly relied on field sampling based on detection can reveal unexpected or illegal
is enriched with forest inventory data to Institute and Ministry of Agriculture and
required forest user notifications. actions in the areas.
estimate biomass volume change. Forestry.
The project aimed to develop a tool for forest Financial benefits are achieved thanks to
The results can be viewed and integrated
law enforcement. The operational use of improved and optimised forest inspections.
to existing geographic information systems
Earth Observation and GNSS data is crucial to The field work can be targeted and performed
(GIS) using Satellio’s web cloud service.
ensure updatable and scalable information for on areas needing attention more efficiently.
The technology can be scaled anywhere and
large territorial areas.
anytime in the world.
The space based solution Benefits to Citizens
The developed solution has approval from the
The space-based solution is an efficient
Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. It
tool to monitor and detect changes in forest
is space based and utilises earth observation
areas. The technology is suitable from small
and satellite navigation which are used
to large forest areas and they can be located
for monitoring and accurate positioning.
anywhere from nearby to remote areas as
The solution consists of three parts: data
Sentinel-2-images are available anywhere on
acquisition, processing and analysis.
Earth.
First step is to go through all data from Joni Norppa and Rosanna Huotari
The automatic processing chain ensures Web service user interface.
Sentinel-2-satellites using automated CEO, Satellio Oy (Ltd), Finland
up-to-date and accurate information about
Email: joni.norppa@satellio.com
SENTINEL-BASED AZORES
“ The systematic use of AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
REGIONAL FOREST Copernicus Sentinel data will AND FISHERIES
INVENTORY improve significantly the canopy
areas). This operational framework will be fully
The Azores Regional Forest classification accuracy and aligned with multisectorial regional, national
Inventory is a fundamental update frequency of the Azores and EU policies related to Forestry Planning
regional tool for supporting forest Regional Forest Inventory.” and Management, Land-use Management,
management and spatial planning Invasive Alien Species control, and Nature
Anabela Isidoro, Conservation. It will also strongly contribute
policies in the Azores. Regional Director at DRRF for all 3 strategic priorities of the first pillar of
The woody invasive species Pittosporum undulatum is the Azores Research and Innovation Strategy
a major threat for nature conservation in the Azores decision-making in spatial planning and for Smart Specialization: “Agriculture, Livestock
The challenge and requires appropriate management (about 24
to strengthen law enforcement by public and Agroindustry”.
thousand hectares). Source: DRRF
The Azorean Regional Forest Inventory authorities, will constitute an important
constitutes the core tool for forest planning accuracy levels. The use, integration and step towards an effective promotion of cost-
and management and also the most accurate combination in the current Forest Inventory’s effective forest management and land use With the expected increase of available data,
and reliable official Land Use / Land Cover map methodological procedure of free-of-charge sustainability awareness amongst decision- there will be a growing need for cloud-based
in the Azores Autonomous Region (Portugal), USGS/NASA (Landsat 8 multispectral makers, landowners/managers, further data storage and processing services. The
being widely used by local and regional data) and Copernicus remote sensing data stakeholders and the general public. In fact, Copernicus Data and Information Access
authorities for supporting both spatial provided by Sentinel-1 (C-band SAR) and the development of a forest management Services (DIAS) might be in the future the most
planning and forestry policies purposes. Sentinel-2 (multispectral) sensors will approach strongly supported by an effective suitable platform to implement this operational
significantly improve the regional decision- assessment of current resources, by the framework, in order to combine this information
The current Azorean Regional Forest with further valuable data produced by DRRF
support system and successfully contribute detection and monitoring of the most relevant
Inventory was produced in 2007 by the (namely field surveys and UAV campaigns),
to develop a more suitable and cost-effective forest changes and land-use trade-offs
DRRF (Forest Regional Department) staff therefore, fostering the implementation of a
operational system for mapping, inventorying, might be able to mitigate the main negative
through the combination of Geographical powerful multi-source decision-support system.
monitoring, assessing and managing natural ecological (e.g. loss or degradation of native
Information Systems (GIS) based on-screen
(both native and invaded) and production vegetation areas, increase of areas invaded
photointerpretation of high spatial resolution Acknowledgements
forest areas in the Azores. For this purpose, a by alien plant species) and socio-economic
aerial imagery (with a minimum spatial unit
remote sensing-based operational framework impacts (e.g. loss or degradation of production The authors thank the University of the
of 1 hectare) and exhaustive field campaigns
is being developed in order to: (1) accurately forest; increase of bare soil and impervious Azores (Regional Copernicus Academy) and
for survey and validation. As the overall cost
map Azorean forest areas through semi- the FRCT – Regional Fund for Science and
of this methodological procedure is very high
automatic supervised classification; (2) Technology (Regional Copernicus Relay) for
(in both human, logistics and data resources)
detect changes in forest cover (by applying supporting the development of this initiative.
and time consuming, the periodic update of
change detection algorithms); and (3) assess
this cartographic product is not performed as
vegetation greenness and moisture status by Artur Gil 1, Manuel Fernández 1, Anabela
frequently as needed for spatial planning and
computing and comparing several spectral Isidoro 2, Vasco Medeiros 2 and João Luís
forest management purposes.
indices (e.g. NDVI, SAVI, EVI, NDWI). Pacheco 2
The space based solution 1. Azorean Biodiversity Group – Ce3C,
Benefits to Citizens University of the Azores, Portugal
Satellite remote sensing has shown to be
The development and implementation of a Cryptomeria japonica is the most relevant man-planted 2. DRRF, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
an appropriate tool to assess and monitor
Remote Sensing-based forest monitoring forest species in the Azores with approximately 12,400 Email: artur.jf.gil@uac.pt
large-area forest attributes with reasonable
operational framework able to support hectares. Source: DRRF info.drrf@azores.gov.pt
UNIQUE SATELLITE-
“ Their ability to map a range of AGRICULTURE,
FOOD, FORESTRY
DERIVED FORESTRY tree species at remarkably high- AND FISHERIES
INSIGHT FOR DEFRA levels of accuracy has supported
is that it will also help their future ability
To support Defra in managing an our response to outbreaks and to detect, treat and prevent the spread of
outbreak of Sweet Chestnut blight, could potentially revolutionise pathogens in monitored forested areas.
Rezatec was invited to develop Defra’s response to quarantine
an interactive map capable of
pests and diseases in the wider
identifying species and stress
using Earth Observation. environment.”
Willem Roelofs,
The challenge Extract from Rezatec’s interactive web GIS Portal Plant Health Team, Defra
depicting the entire area of interest in the study
An outbreak of sweet chestnut blight, a plant for species identification of Sweet Chestnut and Oak
disease caused by the fungus Cryphonectria derived from Sentinel data. and manage this outbreak as well as potential
parasitica, has recently been discovered in future ones.
Observation datasets.
the South West of England. The client for Defra can now:
Extract from Rezatec’s interactive web GIS Portal
this project - Defra, the UK Government’s Detect change: Copernicus Earth Observation depicting a small section of the results in the study
• Understand the fine scale distribution of for evidence of Sweet Chestnut stress derived from
Department for Environment, Food & Rural data was used to identify stressed Sweet
Sweet Chestnut and Oak trees in a target Sentinel data.
Affairs - is managing the outbreak and wanted Chestnut. Although tree stress can be caused
area
to explore how Earth Observation data could by a large number of factors, analyses like Rezatec’s suite of products within the
be deployed in outbreak situations, Rezatec these could be used to prioritise areas •D
etect signs of tree stress, a potential Forestry industry allows for comprehensive
was invited to develop an interactive map for ground inspections to determine the indicator of tree health issues caused by monitoring and mensuration so this is a really
capable of locating Sweet Chestnut trees in presence of pests & diseases. Rezatec’s pests and diseases exciting time to be involved at Government
the outbreak area and identifying stressed forestry change detection data product •M
onitor for early-warning signs of plant level in the identification and safeguarding of
trees. This map could potentially be used to was adopted to measure any anomalous pest spread the UK’s trees and forests.
aid the deployment of ground-team resources phenological behaviour in the Sweet Chestnut • E xplore how Earth Observations can be
to assess the extent of the outbreak and presence map output. Specifically, annual used to inform tactical responses, e.g. by
Acknowledgements
potential mitigation measures. time-series were analysed for all of the ground truthing data developing time- Rezatec would like to mention that it would
detected pixels in the study area, to identify series in areas of interest not have been possible to get to this point
The space based solution significant deviations (temporal and spatial)
The data product layers that enable these so quickly without the initial support it
Rezatec provided Defra with access to unique, in phenological behaviour, assumed to be an received from the UK Space Agency’s ‘Space
new capabilities include:
satellite data products derived from Sentinel indicator of canopy stress. for Smarter Government’ Programme (SSGP)
• S patial distribution and extent of target
1 and 2 satellites that allowed them to… and the collaborative working with Forest
Benefits to Citizens tree species
Research. The funding has resulted in an
Identify tree locations: The map provided •A
nalysis of tree health, with a graded
With an easy-to-use interface and visualised end-user product that is now commercially
Sweet Chestnut and Oak trees layers on top indication of stress levels.
geospatial data layers, Rezatec’s web portal available.
of satellite imagery. Rezatec’s tree species
provides an opportunity for Defra to analyse
classification data product was used to model Outlook to the future
and interrogate the information and make
the presence of both Sweet Chestnut or Oak
informed decisions based on up-to-date geo- Rezatec are very pleased to support Defra in Tim Vallings
trees, based on the unique spectral signature
spatial data. This is a powerful outcome, its mission to understand the development VP Global Resources Rezatec Harwell, UK
of these target species within the input Earth
supporting Defra’s challenge to understand of this tree pathogen problem, and the hope Email: info@rezatec.com
ure, Biodiversity and Territorial Climate, Water Civil Protection
restry Environmental Management and Energy
eries Protection and Urban
Planning
BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
The preservation of our natural environment is essential to have clean water and air, maintain
our soil, regulate the climate, recycle nutrients and provide us with food. However, this is
progressively being degraded, sometimes permanently. Human activities put enormous strain
on the environment: factors such as population growth, pollution, invasive species, urbanisation,
and climate change are causing deterioration to ecosystems. A key indicator of this is represented
by the increasing decline in biodiversity: today, almost half of Europe’s mammals and a third
of reptile, fish and bird species are considered endangered. The European Union environmental
policy dates back to the 1970s, and with its extensive environmental legislation (about 500
Directives, Regulations and Decisions) provides some of the world’s highest environmental
standards: it aims at making the EU economy greener, protecting nature, and safeguarding the
health and quality of life of EU citizens. The Habitats Directive is an example of such legislation,
implemented through the Natura 2000 programme covering about 30,000 sites throughout
Europe. But, the environment can actually only be protected if these policies are properly
implemented. Local and regional authorities are crucial players in environmental protection
as they are often responsible for rule-making and undertaking investments and can also have
inspection and oversight functions. EU Cohesion Policy and related funds play an important role in
boosting the implementation of EU environmental standards and sustainable growth, e.g. during
the programming of the 2014-2020 Cohesion Policy, a strong emphasis was placed on supporting
green infrastructure (e.g. flood plains, green walls and roofs), especially in cities. Environmental
protection is a core objective for Copernicus. The Programme provides data and information useful
to monitor a variety of environmental parameters over land, the atmosphere and the oceans.
For instance, dynamic maps of vegetation health and land cover can be derived from Sentinel-2
data with unprecedented frequency, whilst chlorophyll content estimations derived from the
Sentinel-3 satellite can be related to the eutrophication of the marine environment. Copernicus
Land and Marine Environment Monitoring Services provide extended sets of relevant geophysical
Baltic bloom parameters such as, for example, very high-resolution maps of Natura 2000 areas (derived from
Algal bloom in the Baltic Sea north of the Slīteres Nacionālais Park (Latvia) as
Copernicus Contributing Missions) and various key physical and biogeochemical ocean parameters
seen from Copernicus Sentinel-2A in September 4, 2015.
like currents, temperature and chlorophyll.
Credit: Copernicus Sentinel data (2015)/ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
ACTIONABLE Attica
Apulia MONITORING COASTAL
GEOINFORMATION Apulia S2 5 (Περιφέρεια Epirus Region S3 4
(Puglia) WATERS IN NEAR REAL TIME Αττικής)”
ON BURNT AREAS
ANALYSIS OF FOREST FIRE Castilla Leon MONITORING MOUNTAIN
Castilla Leon S2 2 Tuscany Piedmont
EFFECTS WITH SENTINEL (Castilla y León) GRASSLANDS TO SUSTAIN S2 4
(Toscana) Aosta Valley
WILD HERBIVORES
Central Macedonia
(Κεντρική REGIONAL FLOOD
A SPACE-BASED SOLUTION Alsace
Μακεδονία) North Aegean CMEMS, S1 3 MONITORING WITH Grand-Est S1, S2 4
FOR OIL SPILL DETECTION (Alsace)
(Kentrikí SENTINELS DATA
Makedonía) THE POTENTIAL OF A PRE-
COPERNICUS SENTINEL COMMERCIAL PROCUREMENT Azores Azores
Crete CMEMS, Security 1
DATA FOR LOCAL SCALE Crete S1, S2 3 APPROACH IN EARTH Archipelago Archipelago
(Κρήτη) OBSERVATIONS
CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
EARTH OBSERVATION AND TREE SPECIES MAPPING WITH
Bonn Vienna Northern Austria
PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT Kilombero, Tanzania S2 3 MULTITEMPORAL SENTINEL-2 S2 4
(Bonn) (Wien) Vienna
LAND USE MANAGEMENT DATA
ENABLING EARTH WETLAND FUNCTIONAL Brittany
Brittany S2 3
OBSERVATIONS FOR Dyfed County Europe S2 3 ASSESSMENT (Bretagne)
PROTECTED AREAS
EO FOR BIOTOPE-TYPE Sentinel-3; CMEMS: Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service; Security: Copernicus Security Service.
MAPPING IN THE ALPINE Salzburg Salzburg S2 3/4
ZONE IN AUSTRIA ** The Usage Maturity Level assigned to each story has been self-assessed by the Authors. Values range from 1
HOW COULD COPERNICUS
Vidzeme Latvia Region of affiliation of the lead Author and Main region of application of the User Story as declared
DATA SUPPORT GRASSLAND S1, S2 2/3
(Vidzeme) Vidzeme Region by the Authors.
CONSERVATION?
IMPROVING COASTAL
South Holland Friesland
ECOSYSTEM BENEFITS UNDER S1, S3 4
(Zuid-Holland) Groningen
INCREASING PRESSURES
MAKING SEAGRASSES Berlin Samaria National Park,
S2 1
GREAT AGAIN (Berlin) Crete
Central Macedonia
(Κεντρική
MAPPING BURNED AREAS
Μακεδονία) Greece S2 4
USING SENTINEL-2 IMAGES
(Kentrikí
Makedonía)
“
ACTIONABLE Rheticus® Wildfires has helped BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
GEOINFORMATION ON us to oversee and report PROTECTION
BURNT AREAS fire activity, support our fire
Rheticus® Wildfires provided the management and recovery
Rheticus® Wildfires simplifies burnt areas
Alta Murgia National Park with planning through actionable detection and contouring from various
weekly actionable information on Rheticus® Wildfires User Interface for the Alta
knowledge on burnt areas.” open data sources into an interactive and
wildfires, overcoming the lack of Murgia National Park.
comprehensive dashboard, to achieve insightful
data for post-fire assessments. spatial resolutions, thus benefits of using Fabio Modesti, Alta Murgia National Park and purpose-built contents from many different
Earth Observation are significant especially perspectives. Public authorities gain immediate
for post-fire assessments, as EO by Remote and reliable geo-information, including weekly
infrastructure activities within past-burnt
The challenge Sensing enables automatic and continual and summary information over wide areas,
areas (4 times/year). Moreover, it helped
monitoring, regardless of the dimension and based on continual Sentinel-2 monitoring,
to prioritise response teams. Data were
2017 will be remembered as another year morphology of the area of interest. Rheticus® overcoming the difficulties and costs of field
available via the Rheticus® geo-portal www.
of significant wildfire activity across Italy, Wildfires is where the Alta Murgia National measurement campaigns. Rheticus® Wildfires
rheticus.eu and through pre-set reports.
especially within national parks and protected Park satisfied its needs. generates reports, thematic maps and geo-
areas. Wildfires represent a major threat to All in all, Rheticus® Wildfires was where analytics based on Sentinel-2 data, meeting
environmental resources, with hundreds of The space based solution the Alta Murgia National Park obtained local to national content requirements in the
thousands of hectares of burnt areas and the required information from to develop field of burnt area detection and illegal building
In order to better monitor burnt areas after
invaluable loss of woods and biodiversity and support its management strategies prevention. It also helps to prioritise response
fire events, the Park activated Rheticus®
every year. Over the 2017 summer season, and recovery planning, fulfil its reporting teams. Furthermore, better management of
Wildfires service in July 2017.
the Alta Murgia National Park (Apulia Region, duties and management strategies and precious vegetation resources is well worth
Southern Italy) faced the lack of actionable Rheticus® Wildfires by Planetek Italia is a high- overcome the lack of actionable information. the ecological advantages it gives to the
information on wildfires for post-fire performing and cloud-based geo-information environment and citizens.
assessments. service for post-fire monitoring. It provides
the end-user with key information retrieved Outlook to the future
According to the Italian law on wildfires (L.
from Sentinel-2 imagery together with other
n. 353/2000), the Forest Police are in charge The Copernicus Sentinels will ensure
open data sources through extensively tested
of in situ detection of burnt scars whilst continuity of the service. This case history
models and algorithms. Every time new
municipalities are in charge of keeping burnt is expected to serve as a good example
Sentinel-2 data is available over the area of
area database up-to-date. Those activities for the further promotion of the service at
interest, the service automatically downloads
require great effort in terms of money and European and global scale. The integration
the image, performs some processing and
time. Moreover, it is difficult to perform of Sentinel-3 data will also be explored for
generates thematic maps, dynamic geo-
accurate field surveys over inaccessible further improvements.
analytics and pre-set reports.
areas. As a result, stakeholders such as
national parks, protected areas and natural Thanks to the high revisit time of Sentinel-2 Wildfires automatically retrieved from Sentinel-2
over the same area (up to 5-6 days) and data acquired on 14/07/2017 over the Alta Murgia Antonello Aiello 1, Vincenzo Barbieri 1,
reserves entities quite often face the lack of
National Park. Fabio Modesti 2 and Chiara Mattia 2
actionable information for fire management the high spectral and spatial resolutions of Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
and recovery planning, which are essential those data, Rheticus® Wildfires provided the 1. Planetek Italia, Italy
aspects also at European level (e.g. Council Alta Murgia National Park with burnt area 2. Parco Nazionale dell’Alta Murgia, Italy
Regulation (EEC) No. 2158/92 and further detection, and fire severity classification on a Email: aiello@planetek.it, barbieri@planetek.it
modifications). Relevant satellite data are weekly basis, vegetation regrowth monitoring fabiomodesti@parcoaltamurgia.it
now freely available with high temporal and (1/year) and detection of potential illegal chiaramattia@parcoaltamurgia.it
“
ANALYSIS OF FOREST This application of Copernicus BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
FIRES EFFECTS WITH Sentinels helps us to manage PROTECTION
SENTINEL better and more efficiently
Acknowledgements
Sentinel images help us actions against forest fires.”
analyse forest fires and manage Thanks to all the forest firemen, pilots, forest
Celso Coco, CIFP Almázcara rangers, technical team... without them it is
the subsequent works more possible that we would have been talking
efficiently. about an even bigger fire. Thanks to all the
Map of scar burn in La Cabrera, Leon, Spain. It Outlook to the future
burned 10,000 hectares. Satellite Sentinel image forestry engineers who do a great job for the
Sensing in the shortwave infrared (SWIR). The fact of having images with a periodicity environment.
of less than 5 days would help managers
Thanks to Copernicus for the opportunity and
The challenge chlorophyll in vegetation help us identify to have updated information. This is very
for the satellite information.
burnt areas, since they do not reflect the interesting for decision making during large
In Spain, approximately 100,000 hectares forest fires and especially in the necessary
wave of light. The most appropriate light
are burnt annually by forest fires, of which work required after these fires. If we had
bands are those of the near infrared because
about 60% of the surface constitutes the a larger number of Sentinel-2 satellites, we
they show the photosynthetic activity of
northwest area, which includes the regions could be more efficient in the decisions that
the vegetation. In turn, if we compare the
of Galicia, Asturias, and the provinces of need to be made during the extinction of
photosynthetic activity of the vegetation,
León and Zamora in Castile y Leon. León, forest fires.
before and after the fire, we can graduate its
and specifically the region of El Bierzo, is an
severity; if there is a bigger difference, the
area in which there are numerous fires during
severity will be greater.
the year. In 2017, the largest fire in Spain
occurred in León, extending for almost 10,000 Benefits to Citizens
hectares. The management of extinction
is required and it is fundamental to know There are many benefits: Being able to perform
what has burnt and how much has burnt for burnt surface analysis as well as a gravity one,
post-fire analysis. Sentinel data are used to with data that is freely available, and more
calculate the surface and analyse the severity importantly it helps to improve and make
of it. more effective management decisions. The
public administrations in charge of restoring
Severity Map of Forest Fire in La Cabrera, Leon, Spain.
The space based solution the burnt-out spaces, can prioritise the most
urgent actions. The measures to be carried
Sentinel data can help us identify and learn
out can improve the filtration level of runoff
the extent of the burnt areas, as well as
water which reduces soil losses and fertility. If
define the degree of severity produced by
we are able to reduce the loss of soil we can
the forest fire on a very detailed scale, since
improve water quality and conserve forests.
Sentinel data reaches a resolution of 10
We improve the biodiversity and the habitat
metres of information as a minimum unit.
of the species. The economic savings are
This is possible thanks to a combination
substantial.
of the 13 bands on board of the Sentinel-2 Celso Coco
satellites. CIFP de Almázcara, Consejería de Agricultura y
The bands that perceive the reflection of the Ganadería, Junta de Castilla y León, Spain
Email: cocmegce@jcyl.es
“
A SPACE-BASED I strongly support that such an BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SOLUTION FOR OIL SPILL application could significantly PROTECTION
DETECTION transform the way that we
the high accuracy identification, since this task
An innovative application to respond in such events like oil is currently addressed manually (ships have
collect satellite images of the sea spills whether they come from to report pollution incidents), and, thus, it can
and detect areas polluted from a single ship or an oil rig or optimise the utilisation of the personnel by
oil releases in order to notify the assigning more complicated tasks.
other similar human action.”
national authorities and coast Outlook to the future
guards. Spyridon Kintzios,
Original satellite SAR images from the Mediterranean Commander HN, MSc Currently, the application supports the
Sea (left) and detection masks (right) with oil spills detection of oil spills, but the main objective
The challenge and lookalikes. is to extend its capability in identifying more
to avoiding the extension of ecological
Countries with large seawater areas or the functionalities of the Copernicus Marine disasters and, consequently, benefits both pollution factors, i.e. debris from natural
extended coastlines have to deal with the Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS). On the environment and the public health. disasters. It is also expected that any
challenging issue of promptly detecting the backend, SAR images are downloaded evolution of the EO Copernicus solution will
marine pollution, in order to minimise the daily from the Copernicus services, noise result in improvements of our system, e.g.
environmental effects. Aquatic pollution is suppressed and semantic segmentation enhanced detection or wider area covering.
may originate from oil spills, plastics, or algorithms are applied to identify the oil A more accurate discrimination of the
debris from natural disasters and it can be spills. Contrary to current solutions, our phenomena that are currently denoted as
caused either deliberately or accidentally. service not only provides a wider-area “lookalikes” could constrain the false positive
The large number of oil-based products on detection scheme, but also annotates alerts as well as the identification of ships.
the market entails the increase of shipping each pixel with a valid classification state. Merging the latter with data from a ship’s
routes that eventually raises the possibility of Analysed images are presented as detection Automatic Identification System (AIS), the
slicks occurring. Remote sensing, within the masks, where turquoise areas define an oil root of the pollution could be particularised.
Copernicus Programme, can act as a beneficial spill, whilst red areas mark lookalikes. The
monitoring tool that will allow early detection Acknowledgements
service can identify pollutant areas with an A comparison between produced detection masks
of slicks, provide size estimations, and predict accuracy of 91%, thus, the frequency of in The development of the application was
(left) and ground truth images (right).
the slick motion. situ verification by the authorities could be supported by the EU’s Horizon 2020
Moreover, by providing estimates of the
significantly limited. In case of a verified oil programme under grant agreements
The space based solution size and the movement of the slick, the
slick, users instantly receive an alert with the H2020-776019 EOPEN and H2020-740593
application can be invaluable in aiding clean-
The solution involves a web application that position and the size of the oil slick to act ROBORDER.
up operations or helping the authorities to
tackles oil spill identification in EU maritime accordingly.
identify the polluters. With regards to the
areas, aimed at triggering the awareness of latter, the application can be easily integrated
the relevant authorities. Benefits to Citizens
into existing systems that concern maritime
A. Moumtzidou, G. Orfanidis, S. Andreadis, K.
The application processes Synthetic Aperture By exploiting Copernicus data, the proposed surveillance. No additional human contribution
application aims to rapidly identify oil related Ioannidis, I. Gialampoukidis, S. Vrochidis and
Radar (SAR) images are acquired from is required in the identification process since
events, mitigate the positive false alerts I. Kompatsiaris.
Sentinel satellites provided by the Copernicus the model is trained to identify the oil spills
from the end-user side and thus trigger all based on its natural attributes. Finally, it can Information Technologies Institute
Open Access Hub. SAR images provide
the necessary mechanisms that are involved significantly reduce the workload of the human Centre for Research and Technology Hellas
independence regarding the operational time
and the environmental conditions, enhancing during such events, e.g. the coastguard. In operators of the agencies concerned due to Thessaloniki, Greece.
this way, the application primarily contributes Email: moumtzid@iti.gr
“
COPERNICUS SENTINEL The use of Copernicus BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
DATA FOR LOCAL Sentinels for conservation PROTECTION
SCALE CONSERVATION and environmental monitoring
more than welcome. A fully operational online
ACTIVITIES provide us with new ways of Sentinel 1/2 system which will provide data-
The use of Sentinel-2 data, working.” ready-to-use will benefit the technical staff
combined with landscape of local authorities and parks as they will
Antonis Tsakirakis, be able to use updated information without
factors provides insights of the Samaria National Park
having the technical expertise to process
distribution of the endemic remote sensing data. To this end, the H2020
The endemic Cretan lizard, Podarcis cretensis is found
lizard Podarcis cretensis. mainly in West Crete ECOPOTENTIAL works side-by-side with 24
data are also used for monitoring illegal protected areas across Europe and beyond in
The challenge species distribution modelling, are a powerful activities (e.g. lodging, illegal fires) within providing the tools and models that make use
tool in the arsenal of conservation ecology the protected area, thus optimising the Park’s of Sentinel data for addressing this specific
Local scale processes shape species
and planning. The high temporal frequency management resources and supporting law monitoring need (amongst others).
distributions. Mountainous areas provide
data of Sentinel-2 provide information on enforcement. Open access satellite data
a multifarious terrain where microclimate Acknowledgements
landscape dynamics, such as the vegetation allow the reduction of the cost of surveys
refugia shape ecological niches at local scales
growth and changes in landcover, whilst in remote areas, which are abundant inside
for animals and plants. Also, mountainous The ECOPOTENTIAL project has received
Sentinel-1 data give access to extracted the national park, reducing the costs of public
areas host endemic and rare elements of funding from the European Union’s Horizon
information like elevation, aspect, and slope administrations (municipality, forest police,
biodiversity, acting as islands of biodiversity. 2020 research and innovation programme
but also information relating to the incoming park authorities) and thus benefitting citizens.
These processes can be identified by using under grant agreement No 641762. Special
solar radiation and the terrain openness
high resolution data, based either on satellite thanks to the personnel of the Samaria
(e.g. Sky View Factor parameter). Lizards
or airborne observations. Both approaches National Park area.
are dependent on the availability of sun for
have their limitations; satellite data have high
their needs, thus terrain parameters as well
frequency but low spatial resolution, whilst
as vegetation dynamics are related to their
airborne data have high spatial resolution but
ecophysiological demands.
costly high temporal data collection.
The conservation and protection of
Copernicus Sentinel-2 constellation (Sentinel-
biodiversity is a fundamental activity of
2A/B) fills this gap, by providing data of high
protected areas like Samaria National Park,
spatial resolution with an adequate temporal
where the endemic lizard Podarcis cretensis
resolution (10 m pixel size every 5 days). In Mean annual NDVI for 2017, calculated using
is found. The conservation of the habitat
addition, Sentinel-1 constellation (Sentinel- Sentinel-2A and -2B data over Samaria National Park.
provides a valuable cultural ecosystem service,
1A/B) can provide terrain data (e.g. Digital Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
appreciated by tourists. The use of Copernicus
Elevation Model) and related topographic
Sentinel data has great potential as it reduces
parameters describing the geodiversity after Dimitris Poursanidis, Antonis Barnias, Petros
costs for planned fieldwork activities which Outlook to the future
the analysis within the open access ESA Lymberakis, Mariasilvia Giamberini and Nek-
can be focused on targeted areas whilst the
SNAP toolbox. Protected areas require multiple tools for their tarios Chrysoulakis
use of Sentinel-2 data makes the monitoring
daily activities. Sentinel-2 data as Analysis Foundation for Research and Technology
Products from Sentinel-1 and -2, combined of certain areas easier, even without spending
Ready Data (ARD) via online platforms for Hellas, Greece
with species observations in the framework of resources for fieldwork campaigns. Sentinel-2
use by non-experts in Remote Sensing are Email: dpoursanidis@iacm.forth .gr
“
EARTH OBSERVATION This analysis has opened the BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
AND PARTNERSHIPS eyes of the many stakeholders PROTECTION
TO SUPPORT LAND USE of this valley over its
continuity for the monitoring tasks needed
MANAGEMENT environmental change.” for the Ramsar reporting obligations once
The cooperation of three Pellage Kauzeni, Ministry of Natural the projects end, and the process can be
European projects has shown Resources and Tourism of Tanzania replicated in other areas.
how collaboration supports Agricultural expansion in the Ramsar site between
local authorities in wetland 2004 and 2016.
Conflicts between local farmers, authorities The GEO-Wetlands initiative facilitates
management.
and itinerant herders took place in the past due cooperation between different projects
to weak land management systems. Mapping and institutions under the common goal of
The challenge Work Programme of the Group on Earth
of historical trends of agricultural expansion improving the monitoring and assessment
Observations (GEO). Using satellite imagery
The Kilombero Ramsar site in Tanzania is and the current situation will provide a solid of global wetland extent, status and trends.
from the Copernicus programme and NASA,
one of Africa’s largest wetlands. The Ramsar framework that will facilitate negotiations and Collaboration between multidisciplinary teams
the partnership provided the Tanzanian
convention encourages sustainable and wise planning between stakeholders. is crucial to achieve the ambitious targets set
authorities with maps, models and science-
use of wetlands for economic activities. by international conventions and frameworks.
based recommendations for land planning. The creation of this partnership has allowed
However, during the last decade the area Enabling stakeholders to continue monitoring
the maximisation of the resources invested,
has experienced an exponential increase in The products delivered show the spatio- after the lifetime of projects is therefore an
preventing duplication of work. The use
immigration. Combined with a lack of property temporal patterns and trends undergone essential goal.
of freely available satellite imagery and
rights and low resources for management, in the floodplain during the last decades.
cartographic products has also contributed to Acknowledgements
farm encroachment and deforestation have Human activities such as deforestation and
a cost reduction.
grown uncontrolled dramatically reducing agricultural expansion have caused changes The projects forming this partnership have
its natural habitats. Its vast area and in the biophysical properties of the landscape. received funding from the EU H2020 program,
difficult access make it challenging to obtain These changes impact the water regimes, EU and Belgian Development Cooperation,
information on the current situation and land surface temperature and vegetation the German Federal Ministry of Education and
develop land management plans that fit cover affecting all flora, fauna and local Research and the German Federal Ministry for
national and local needs. human populations. The land cover changes Economic Cooperation and Development.
and the biophysical properties are traceable
The space based solution from space using different sensors and
In this context, the Belgian project ancillary ground data provided by local users.
KILOWREMP (Kilombero and Lower
Rufiji Wetlands Ecosystem Management
Project), the EU project SWOS (Satellite- The area is undergoing a development phase
based Wetlands Observation Service) and to modernise the farming practices that aim to Changes in the wetland between 2004 and 2016
the German GlobE project have joined in improve food security and sustainability. The due to farming in the Ngapemba swamp. Healthy Javier Muro 1, Stefanie Steinbach 1, Frank
results are being used to develop strategies vegetation features in green and bare soil in pink. Thonfeld 1, Costanze Leemhuis 1, Giuseppe
a partnership to provide the government
RGB: SWIR, NIR, G
of Tanzania with the tools necessary to that will allow economic progress with a Daconto 2 and Ian Games 2
overcome the spatial challenges presented. better knowledge of the natural resources 1. University of Bonn, Germany
available in the floodplain and the impact that Besides the products delivered, local users
This partnership directly contributes to the 2. Enabel, Belgian Development Agency,
human activities cause upon them. were trained in how Earth Observation can
GEO-Wetlands initiative that was recently Belgium
be used for monitoring. This will provide
established as part of the 2017–2019 Email: jmuro@uni-bonn.de
“
ENABLING EARTH The EODESM system provides BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
OBSERVATION FOR timely information on wetland PROTECTION
PROTECTED AREAS conditions and dynamics that
Providing land managers with determine the distribution of
The land cover classifications generated
an easy and accessible tool to flora and fauna species. This by the EODESM system can be translated
address land cover change in can assist in efforts to ensure to different habitat taxonomies, which is
Europe’s protected areas.
planning of conservation anticipated to increase uptake by a wide
range of conservationists and ecologists.
EODESM classification of land covers in Gran Paradiso management.” Furthermore, environmental variables
National Park (NP), Italy. predicted from process (e.g., forest growth,
Ricardo Díaz-Delgado (Doñana NP)
The challenge and Loïc Willm (Camargue NP) hydrology) can be used to generate
Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Land Cover
classifications of future landscapes. This
Classification System (LCCS; Fig. 1). Whilst
For many years, the uptake of Earth significantly increases the potential use of
some variables (e.g., vegetation canopy cover events (e.g., storms, fire) and processes (e.g.,
observation (EO) data for managing Europe’s EODESM as a planning tool. This will assist
and height, water turbidity) are used directly forest succession) between sites, including
protected areas has been relatively limited, in better planning of environmental resource
as input to the classification of land covers, protected areas. The tools have already been
with this leading to missed opportunities for use and may contribute to reverse losses of
others (e.g., sea surface temperature, plant applied to classify over 15 large national
conserving landscapes and the ecosystem biodiversity and degradation of landscapes, in
species, snow depth) provide additional parks in Europe and are being increasingly
services they provide. Europe and beyond. To assist EODESM users,
information on their states and dynamics. The adopted, as the approach to generating
Nowadays, the public availability of satellite training workshops and material are being
EODESM system also generates historical and relevant classifications is easy to understand.
data makes it possible to significantly increase developed and delivered to interested parties.
near real time alerts through daily to annual The EODESM system is also scalable to any
our understanding of Europe’s changing comparison of land covers and environmental country or region worldwide and, because of Acknowledgements
landscapes. However, the sheer volume of variables (Fig. 2). These change alerts are its robustness and versatility, is adaptable
data involved and the steps required for their described on the basis of accumulated Thanks to the Horizon 2020 project
to use data from a diverse range of present
processing is overwhelming for many and evidence from EO data and other sources. The ECOPOTENTIAL and the FP7 BIO_SOS (Grant
and future airborne and spaceborne sensors
hence not often undertaken. The challenge resulting classifications are comprehensive Agreements n. 641762 and 263435), the
regardless of their spatial resolution.
therefore was to provide a tool that converted and detailed. Mobile applications have also European Regional Development Fund and
these data into useable and standardised been developed to support calibration of Welsh Government Sêr Cymru Programme
products that could be easily generated and variable retrieval algorithms or validation of and to scientists and managers of protected
accessed by a wide range of users. classifications. areas for contributing to the development of
the VL and EODESM system.
The Horizon 2020 ECOPOTENTIAL project The VL and the EODESM system are open to
has developed a Virtual Laboratory (VL) to users, allowing the retrieval of environmental R. Lucas 1, P. Blonda 1, J. Bustamante 1,
host data and software to support protected variables and EO data, including Copernicus R. Diaz-Delgado 1, S. Giamberini 1, G. Kordelas 1,
area management using EO data. Within the datasets. A particular advantage for those J. Gonçalves 1, I. Manakos 1, M. Santoro 1,
VL, the EO Data for EcoSystem Monitoring charged with protecting landscapes is R. Sonnenschein 1, F. Weiser 1, L. Willm 1 and
(EODESM) stores environmental variables that consistent land cover and change
Annual hydroperiods for Doñana NP provide input to R. Viterbi 2
extracted from EO data and uses these to classifications can be generated for landscapes
automatically generate classifications of land the EODESM change detection and alert system. 1. ECOPOTENTIAL Consortium
across Europe. This allows better comparison Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel-2 data [2015,
cover and change according to the Food and 2. Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy
of area estimates and impacts of change 2016, 2017]
Email: Giamberini@igg.cnr.it
“
EO FOR BIOTOPE-TYPE We currently explore satellite BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MAPPING IN THE ALPINE data to accelerate the PROTECTION
ZONE IN AUSTRIA procedure of biotope mapping
of Sentinel-2 facilitates regular updating
Sentinel-2 time series analysis taking into account the goals of habitat changes and establishes timely,
supports alpine habitat of EU Biodiversity Strategy continuous and region wide comparable
assessment (1) by indicating COM(2011)244 final and of EU monitoring, which e. g. is required every
changes in sensitive areas six years by the European Habitat Directive.
Directive 92/43/EWG.” Thus, the Prov. Govt. of Salzburg – Dept.
and (2) as a planning tool for
5/06 explores EO-based solutions for biotope
designing in-field mapping. H. Hinterstoisser,
mapping to improve the efficiency of the
Prov. Govt. of Salzburg, Austria – Dept. 5/06
Sentinel-2 image (band combination 11, 8a, 2), monitoring procedure in alpine areas.
The challenge Fuschertal valley, at mapping season (August)
Remote or inaccessible areas, such as alpine
revealing: vegetation (green), rocks (brown), glacier
areas, are challenging for nature conservation Outlook to the future
The alpine zone above the closed forest (dark blue), snow (light blue), clouds (white).
line hosts habitats for numerous ecological Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] authorities since the ambitions of regularly The implementation of EO based biotope/
sensitive plant and animal communities monitoring and realising nature conservation habitat-mapping techniques into existing
stable conditions. This knowledge is then management activities increase both efforts monitoring systems becomes more feasible
in natural to near natural conditions. As a
used for tasking VHR (very high resolution, and costs, whilst the available resources are with an increased availability of adequate
consequence of the tough environmental
< 1 x 1 m pixel size) satellite imagery, ideally getting more and more limited. RS data meeting the temporal and spatial
characteristics of alpine regions (large area,
cloud free and within the vegetation period, to resolution of nature conservation monitoring
undulating to steep topography, fast changing
derive biotopes with a high spatial resolution needs. However, forthcoming big EO data
weather conditions, short snow free period)
and thus meeting the legal regulations for challenges have to be tackled with elaborated
field mapping of biotope- and habitat-types
conservation management needs. Lastly, strategies whilst the existing regional to
is cost- and time intensive. However, nature
in-field mapping is coordinated based on international monitoring systems need to be
conservation legislation of Austrian federal
the HR & VHR satellite derived information, adapted to include RS derived information.
states demands area wide biotope-mapping,
assessing biotopes, which are hard to uncover
whereas habitat assessment is required
with RS techniques or even unclear, and and Acknowledgements
within the EU-wide Fauna-Flora-Habitat
is also used for validating the satellite derived
Directive (Natura 2000 network). The presented work is supported by the
information.
25th BRIDGE programme of the Austrian
The space based solution Research Promotion Agency (FFG), the Prov.
Benefits to Citizens Traditional in-field biotope map (glaciers to valley
In order to monitor alpine habitats at the fine floor), Fuschertal valley (AUT), uncovering biotope Govt. Salzburg, Dept. 5/06, and the LE 14-20
Biodiversity loss threatens the provision programme.
level of biotope-types and group of biotopes structures on false colour Sentinel-2 satellite imagery
of ecosystem services to human society. (band combination 8, 4, 3).
a stratified habitat mapping strategy was
With respect to alpine ecosystems the Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
developed based on the usage of recent remote
society benefits from services like natural
sensing (RS) sources and earth observation
resources, the supply of fresh water, carbon Thomas Strasser1, S. Lang1, A. Luidold1;
(EO) techniques. First Sentinel 2 time series Use of recent RS imagery and EO analysis
sequestration, tourism and recreation, G. Egger2; H. Schöndorfer3 and K. Kulessa3
analysis supports decision making on alpine techniques foster a more standardised,
amongst others. Thus, several national and
habitat mapping strategies (vegetation transferable and economically viable solution 1. Z_GIS – University of Salzburg, Austria
international programmes aim to monitor the
period, snow coverage, seasons of cloud free for biotope- / habitat-mapping, which are 2. Naturraumplanung Egger e. U.
decline of biodiversity and try to halt or at
satellite imagery, etc.) and provides rough less biased towards human perception than Klagenfurt, Austria
least slow down these adverse effects by
information on areas with a high degree of traditional in-field mapping. Moreover, high 3. Spatial Services GmbH, Austria
specific nature protection practices.
potential changes, as well as areas with than temporal and adequate spatial resolution Email: thomas.strasser@sbg.ac.at
“
HOW COULD COPERNICUS Copernicus data could be BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
DATA SUPPORT GRASSLAND considered as a complementary PROTECTION
CONSERVATION? approach to standard ones in
Mapping of grasslands and tracking
Grassland is not just a feed base the assessment of grasslands management practices using Copernicus
for livestock but also serves as a due to the possibility of data allows monitoring of these habitats at
habitat for plants and animals. frequent observation of large a scale that would be practically impossible
Proper management of these to do with traditional methods. Satellite data
areas.” cannot fully replace habitat experts but can
semi-natural habitats is critical
serve as a valuable complementary tool for
to maintain their biological value. Inga Racinska,
remote evaluation of grassland status and
Mapping of grasslands near Cesis in Vidzeme region. the Latvian Fund of Nature
targeted planning of field visits.
Example of the mismatch where ploughed grassland
The challenge
is identified. EU Member States have to report on the
Credit: Contain modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2016] the benefit of their descendants. Thus,
The lack of appropriate management risks status of the natural habitats of EU importance
appropriate management approaches are
the long-term preservation of grasslands. As every six years. Copernicus provides regular
SentiGrass project. crucial. Field visits to sites are necessary
grasslands are semi-natural habitats they are data that not only enables regulatory
Mapping of grasslands was performed but they are resource (time, labour, etc.)
exposed to a variety of risks, such as land use commitments to be fulfilled, but also enables
using all available Sentinel-2 optical data intensive. The free of charge data provided
change, conversion to arable lands, invasive real-time activities to be supported, for
scenes and automatically analysed spectral for the whole world by Copernicus enables
species, overgrazing or overgrowing (caused example, monitoring of biologically valuable
signature of each image pixel to determine methods that improve resource management
by depopulation and abandonment). The grasslands that should be mowed or grazed
whether grassland was present or not. The to be developed whilst also increasing cost-
deterioration of grassland quality reduces the but cannot be ploughed in order to maintain
obtained accuracy was above 90%. Whilst effectiveness.
quality of ecosystem services and functions biodiversity.
provided, leads to a loss of biodiversity, investigating the misclassifications, it was
opens up the possibility of EU sanctions found that the ploughed grasslands are Outlook to the future
and decreases the quality of rural life. The not classified as grasslands, thus showing
It is planned to apply the developed approach
existing monitoring practice of physical potential for detecting disturbances in
to a larger scale and map grasslands over
visits to grasslands is time- and labour- grassland cover.
the whole Latvian territory for further
intensive, therefore cost-effective solutions Sentinel-2 optical data has also shown development of the grassland connectivity
are necessary that provide information on a potential in the assessment of grass biomass model within the GrassLIFE.
large spatial scale. and spread detection of invasive species (e.g.
Giant Hogweed), whilst Sentinel-1 radar Acknowledgements
data is able to fill observation gaps (due This work was carried out within the
The joint use of Copernicus Sentinel-1 optical to cloudy sky) and has shown potential for framework of the SentiGrass project funded
and Sentinel-2 radar satellite data provides tracking grassland management events (e.g. by the PECS programme of ESA.
such benefits as the ability to discriminate ploughing and mowing).
spectral optical data, operation of radar data
in all weathers as well as repeated image Benefits to Citizens
acquisition every 5 - 6 days. Therefore, testing Nature is not only an environmental resource,
of Copernicus Sentinel data capabilities for but also a cultural value. Current generations D. Jakovels, A. Brauns, J. Filipovs, J. Taskovs
Detection of Giant Hogweed in grasslands near Cesis
mapping of grasslands and monitoring of should preserve and improve their natural and R. Abaja
in Vidzeme region.
their management activities in Vidzeme “inheritances” from their ancestors for Credit: Contain modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2016] Institute for Environmental Solutions, Latvia
region, in Latvia was performed within the Email: dainis.jakovels@videsinstituts.lv
“
IMPROVING COASTAL Copernicus products provide us BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ECOSYSTEM BENEFITS with vital marine ecosystem PROTECTION
UNDER INCREASING information which allows us
near real-time observations; resulting maps
PRESSURE to enhance our models and are used to visualise and explain trends
Modelling bird food sources, monitor ecologically relevant to policymakers. Moreover, space-based
observation allows users to acquire continuous
habitats and ecosystem services proxy variables in order to spatio-temporal data, improving the overall
is possible by using Earth inform and advise policy monitoring practices in the Wadden Sea. Earth
Observation. Composite optical remote sensing image of the Dutch
Wadden Sea, highlighting the intertidal mud flats. directives and management.” observations, derived products and models
© Rijkswaterstaat used for the Wadden Sea support decision
Deltares making and inform measures to protect and
The challenge developed through expert analysis are used conserve this unique ecosystem.
by municipalities, and government agencies of model outputs which aim to capture the
The Wadden Sea is an internationally relevant, impacts of management scenarios. This Outlook to the future
to evaluate regional productivity and
highly productive estuarine area, and globally, generates relationships between proposed
species habitability throughout the Wadden
one of the largest coastal wetlands in policy and expected outcomes based on data. The development of ecological models
Sea. Satellite images can be processed to
existence. Its diverse characteristics provide based on satellite observation assists in the
detect areas with high mussel and cockle
fertile feeding, nursery and breeding grounds development and verification of the suitability
abundance, or the algae and phytoplankton
for various species. Numerous ecosystem and optimisation of managerial strategies.
which they feed upon; this can be used in
services are provided to humans through its More accurate predictions will be possible
the validation or support of modelling efforts
diversity, functionality and aesthetics. However, thanks to higher data availability and the
or as stand-alone monitoring products as
in recent years increasing pressures have led coupling of said data with predictive modelling
provided by the COPERNICUS platform.
to multiple changes in the area, for example techniques. More on this work can be found at
When these images are included in 3D
the number of migratory bird species has http://www.ecopotential-project.eu/
models through the use of data assimilation
decreased, and the area of spawning grounds One of the many nesting avian species residing in the
methodologies (either automated calibration Acknowledgements
for critical fishery species has been impacted. Wadden Sea.
or state-updating), enhanced predictions on
Earth observations help to monitor these The development of Earth observation based
system trends and the dynamics within the Benefits to Citizens
issues and determine trends and potential models of the Wadden Sea has been supported
Wadden Sea can be made. By incorporating
pressure impact zones, particularly through Without data from satellite missions and by the H2020 project ECOPOTENTIAL (Grant
the policy and management strategies
the use of the new Sentinel series of satellite complimentary in-situ measurements, model Agreement number 641762). In 2009, the
into the modelling regime, impacts of the
imagery, with the aim of nature conservation development is limited; these data sets Dutch-German Wadden Sea was inscribed on
strategies on various ecosystem services
and monitoring ecosystem functioning. are critical for the foundation of Bayesian the UNESCO World Heritage List and extended
and functions can be deduced by interpreting
the resulting indicators. Additionally, Networks. Satellite images provide information with the Danish Wadden Sea in 2014.
Earth observations used by national and on vital proxies to quantity ecosystem
Models such as 3D-biogeophyiscal process- services, trade-offs, and management Alex Ziemba 1, Sonja Wanke 1, Ghada El Serafy 1
regional monitoring agencies can be used
based and Bayesian Networks help to strategies’ impacts over time, helping inform and Silvia Giamberini 2
in conjunction with statistical modelling
investigate ecological structures behind activities, such as Bayesian Networks, which on the decrease of birds whilst simultaneously 1. Deltares Foundation, The Netherlands
shifting trends and provide a foundation to are able to describe ecosystem services and providing data on key ecological indicators. 2. National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Italy
evaluate and forecast the impact of potential highlight their potential trade-offs through Earth observation is much more cost-effective Email: Ghada.ElSerafy@deltares.nl
management strategies. Direct outputs such probabilistic impact relationships. These and less time consuming than monitoring Alex.Ziemba@deltares.nl
as maps of indicators generated by Delft-3D networks are trained with a combination programmes which require expensive vessels Sonja.Wanke@deltares.nl
modelling suite and impact assessments of remote sensing data and an ensemble to conduct missions. Satellite images record giamberini@igg.cnr.it
“
MAKING SEAGRASSES Sentinel data can support BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
GREAT AGAIN scientists and decision PROTECTION
Mediterranean seagrasses are makers with coastal habitat
overlooked and regressed, yet monitoring and conservation.”
they comprise the largest ocean In the near future, we envisage integrating our
Antonis Barnias, algorithms with the recently launched Google
carbon sinks. Here, we present Samaria National Park
Earth Engine and the soon-to-be-launched
how we are exploiting Sentinel-2 DIAS (Copernicus Data and Information Access
imagery to monitor Mediterranean Services) – both cloud computing platforms –
Generally, the twin Sentinel-2 satellites could
seagrasses. Machine learning-based classification of Posidonia and develop workflows which we could adjust
oceanica seagrass meadows integrating Sentinel-2 mitigate Mediterranean seagrass degradation
both in space and time to map and monitor
and field data, NW Aegean Sea. in a time- and cost-efficient fashion by
The challenge Credit: Contain modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] seagrasses basin-wide (e.g. Mediterranean
identifying problematic areas. This would in
Sea) but also globally. As we are moving from
In the era of human-induced climate change, extensive field data in the entire extent of turn lead to the successful protection of the
Big Data to Big Indicators – where highly
Mediterranean seagrasses – underwater the Greek Seas (Figure 1). The enhancement plethora of important ecosystem services that
accurate, continuously produced, global-scale
flowering plants – absorb and store carbon of the Sentinel-2 coastal aerosol band from these underwater habitats provide – carbon
indicators monitor the health of the most
dioxide, the so-called “blue carbon”. Posidonia 60-m/ to 10-m/pixel (Figure 2) is integral in capture, coastal erosion protection, nursery
vital ecosystems on Earth – we hope that our
oceanica which is iconic and endemic in the our methodology due to the resulting greater and fishing grounds – through the creation of
workflows will galvanise the incorporation of
Mediterranean, is indeed the species with spatial information and depth range. In fact, Marine Protected Areas.
seagrasses to this era during which, every
the largest stocks of blue carbon amongst employing this enhanced band, we mapped P. physical change will be indexed and related
all seagrasses. It could therefore act as a oceanica seagrass beds up to depths of 32 m biophysical parameters, including carbon
natural carbon capture technology, mitigating in the south of Crete. sequestration of seagrasses, will be accurately
climate change. Despite being protected by mapped, naturally, given the availability of
We also apply a series of corrections to
EU legislation, Mediterranean seagrasses are relevant field data.
decrease the interferences of the atmosphere,
declining. The unprecedented growth of Earth
water surface and water column on the
Observation is deemed necessary to resolve Acknowledgements
Sentinel-2 data, hence increasing the accuracy
their existing trends, unravel data issues
of the machine learning classifications. We thank the European Commission and ESA
and allow for their better management and
for providing Sentinel-2 data through the
conservation in a time- and cost-efficient Benefits to Citizens Copernicus Open Access Hub.
fashion.
Our recent satellite-based interranual change
The space based solution detection in the Thermaikos Gulf (NW Aegean Dimosthenis Traganos, Peter Reinartz1,
Sea) revealed a decreasing trend in the area Dimitris Poursanidis, Nektarios Chrysoulakis2
Recent advances in Earth Observation in
of P. oceanica seagrass habitat. Based on its 1. German Aerospace Center (DLR), Remote
terms of optical satellite technology, cloud
ecological value, this translates into a financial Sensing of Technology Institute, Germany,
computing and machine learning algorithms
loss of 19,264 €/yr and a further impact on 2. Foundation for Research and Technology,
have created the perfect storm which
the fishery grounds of the Thermaikos which Hellas, Institute of Applied and Computational
could aid high spatio-temporal, large-scale
exhibit the second largest fishing catch quantity
mapping and monitoring of Mediterranean Mathematics, Greece.
in all Greek Seas. The degradation observed
seagrasses. More specifically, DLR and FORTH Email: dimosthenis.traganos@dlr.de
could be attributed to coastal development, Enhancement of Sentinel-2 coastal aerosol band 1
join forces towards a large-scale P. oceanica peter.reinartz@dlr.de
eutrophication, but also to climate change in from 60m/pixel (A) to 10m/pixel (B) with indicated
seagrass mapping and monitoring approach dpoursanidis@iacm.forth.gr
the broader area of the Gulf. location of P. oceanica seagrass.
using Copernicus Sentinel-2 data and existing Credit: Contain modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] zedd2@iacm.forth.gr
“
MAPPING BURNED AREAS The Sentinel-2 based NOFFi- BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
USING SENTINEL-2 OBAM service constitutes a PROTECTION
IMAGES new invaluable tool in post-fire
cases were communicated to the authorities
An operational semi-automated management.” responsible for investigating the causes of
burned area mapping service was Antonios Kapetanios, Directorate General the fire.
developed within the context of of Forests and Forest Environment, Hellenic
Ministry of Environment and Energy Outlook to the future
the NOFFi project in Greece.
NOFFi-OBAM has received very positive
produce a mapping was 6 to 7 days after the feedback from all stakeholders that used
start of the fire. the service. The service will be further
Burned area mapping performed using Sentinel-2
developed through a follow-up project due
The challenge imagery for a transboundary wildfire between Albania Benefits to Citizens to begin shortly, which will also evaluate
and Greece in 2017.
Wildfires constitute an important Accurate and timely burned area mapping the possibility of exploiting the active fire
operationally used in Greece, on a national is essential for designing both short-term products of Sentinel-3 for automatically
environmental pressure in Mediterranean
level. The service (implemented as a plugin in ecosystem restoration measures and direct initiating the mapping process. Moreover,
countries, with significant consequent impacts
the free and open-source GIS software QGIS), pre-emptive measures that can mitigate the additional funding is currently being pursued
both in forested ecosystems and urban areas
was first employed on a pre-operational basis possible impacts of the fire/heavy rainfall for securing the observatory’s uninterrupted
(e.g., increased risk of floods due to loss
during the 2016 fire season, mapping 30 large combination (soil erosion, increased debris operation. NOFFi also includes two other
of vegetation cover in the wildland-urban
wildfires in Greece (25,683.72 ha in total), two flow, floods, etc.). Hence, the results were services related to fire prevention and risk
interface). Timely burned area mapping is
in Cyprus and one between Greece and FYROM. also used by the General Secretariat for assessment (a fuel type mapping service and
essential in post-fire management. However,
the high number of fires, the extensiveness During the 2017 fire season the service was Civil Protection, as well as NGOs. Timely a midterm fire danger index), which are also
of the areas affected and—in many cases—the employed systematically, mapping burned burned area mapping is also important for plans to exploit Copernicus Sentinel data in
difficulty in approaching steep or remote areas areas from 97 wildfires in Greece (20,709.67 monitoring and safeguarding against illegal the future.
render the official fire perimeter delineation, ha in total) and two between Albania activities within the affected area. We also
typically performed through fieldwork, a very and Greece. In addition, a network with found a few cases where a Sentinel-2 image Acknowledgements
challenging task. representatives from all local forestry offices was acquired just after the start of the fire, This work was supported by the NOFFi
was created, in order to establish a direct line highlighting the exact starting location. These project, which is implemented in collaboration
Operational high-resolution satellite images
of communication between the providers of with the Directorate General of Forests and
constitute a cost-effective alternative in
the service and the primary stakeholders. As Forest Environment of the Hellenic Ministry
mapping wildfires, also offering much higher
a result, in certain cases even burned areas of Environment and Energy and funded by
accuracy and timeliness than fieldwork.
less than a hectare were mapped, if the local Greece’s Green Fund.
The space based solution forestry office believed it was important.
D. Stavrakoudis1, A. Stefanidou1, C. Minakou1,
Within the National Observatory of Forest Although the methodology allows the use
I. Gitas1 and A. Kapetanios2
Fires (NOFFi — http://epadap.web.auth.gr), of other high-resolution satellite data, we
1. Laboratory of Forest Management and
we developed a semi-automated burned area almost only used Sentinel-2 images in both
fire seasons, because they have an almost Remote Sensing, Aristotle University of
mapping service (so-called NOFFi-OBAM),
optimal spatial resolution for burned area Thessaloniki, Greece
exploiting Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite data WebGIS platform developed to disseminate the
mapping and — most importantly — high 2. Directorate General of Forests and Forest
for mapping burned areas shortly after the results of the project, which also incorporates a
fire and with the highest possible accuracy. image acquisition frequency. In 2017 in burned area viewing service, open to the public Environment, Ministry of Environment and
NOFFi-OBAM has been deployed and particular, when Sentinel-2B had also been (http://epadap.web.auth.gr/?lang=en). Energy, GREECE
delivering images, the average time to Email: jstavrak@auth.gr
“
MONITORING COASTAL Thanks to the SAIMON, BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
WATERS IN NEAR REAL we are able to provide PROTECTION
TIME to our citizens accurate
Furthermore, it is a great tool for the scientific
SAIMON is a Near Real Time and reliable information community to monitor the Epirus Coastal area
satellite network for monitoring about the Eutrophication in near real time, watch the tendencies over
the Eutrophication Risk in the SAIMON user interface for the monitoring of
risk in our regions coastal a period of time and predict or even prevent
Eutrophication Risk in the Coastal area of Epirus the consequences of the Eutrophication
Coastal waters of the province region. area on a daily basis.” Phenomenon.
of Thesprotia (Region of Epirus,
Greece). SAIMON, a cloud-based geoinformation Serafim Tsipelis, Director of Water Directorate Outlook to the future
service, was developed for monitoring of Decentralized Administration of Epirus and
Eutrophication Risk in the wider Coastal Area Western Macedonia The Water Directorate of Decentralised
The challenge of Epirus Region. Administration of Epirus and Western
In order to monitor the Eutrophication Macedonia had faith in developing and
Sentinel-3 data were used for extracting
risk in the Coastal Waters of the Epirus adopting innovative technologies in order
information about important parameters such
Region, a service has been developed for to improve their environmental monitoring
as: Chlorophyll, Sea Surface Temperature and
the Water Directorate of the Decentralised services they provide to their citizens whilst
Water Transparency.
Administration of Epirus and Western reducing the costs of using traditional on-site
Macedonia. These parameters are being inserted measurement methods.
automatically into the SAIMON service. Every
The most accurate method of measuring With the increasing availability of satellite
time new Sentinel-3 Imagery is available over
water quality in coastal areas is the collection Chlorophyll measurements in SAIMON service for data through the Copernicus programme
the area of interest, the service downloads it
of data on the field. These parameters Water Directorate of Decentralized Administration and the successful practices and examples
automatically, performs all the measurements
that define the status of water quality of Epirus and Western Macedonia that have already been deployed in several
for the parameters needed and produces the
are described in the EC Water Framework sectors, a great range of opportunities in
results for the specific day. These results are Benefits to Citizens
Directive (WFD) of 2000 and the Marine environmental monitoring is presented.
thematic maps with a range bar legend for
Strategy Directive (MSFD) of 2008. One of the important duties that the Solutions to citizens’ everyday problems should
each of the measured parameter.
The challenge SAIMON (SAtellite Near Real water directorate of the Decentralised always be the lead objective in designing new
The service is provided using Rheticus®, Administrations of Greece has to do is to
Time Monitoring Network) had to meet innovative technologies for improving their
an automatic cloud-based geoinformation provide to its users, who are fishermen,
was to provide accurate measurements lives. SAIMON is a great example of how to
service platform and is available through fish farms, scientific community or even the
of the data needed for defining the risk of approach the problem and finally develop a
http://saimon.rheticus.eu/saimon citizens, all the information needed concerning
Eutrophication in near real-time without successful service for solving it.
having to have daily on-site measurements. It is worth mentioning that the Water Quality the quality of the water in the coastal areas
With this solution, the region would be able monitoring service was initially designed and they live and/or work in.
to provide directly to its users (fish farmers, developed within the framework of the ESA With SAIMON, this information is provided Stelios Bollanos 1, Yiota Spastra 1 and Serafim
scientific community, citizens) accurate data funded MarCoast project. reliably, accurately and directly to people who Tsipelis 2
with much lower operational costs and with With SAIMON, the Water Directorate is able can have an easy access to the service. This 1. Planetek Hellas, Greece
a wider area coverage. to have a reliable tool that covers a wide area makes SAIMON a valuable tool for fishermen 2. Decentralized Administration of Epirus and
and works in all weather conditions. and fish farms for monitoring changes in the Western Macedonia, Greece
The space based solution fish population and provides them with all Email: Bollanos@Planetek.gr
A space-based solution was the key in order the necessary information to make decisions Spastra@planetek.gr
to meet the challenge described above. regarding their production. stsipelis@apdhp-dm.gov.gr
“
MONITORING MOUNTAIN The use of Sentinel data has BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
GRASSLAND TO SUSTAIN improved the control and PROTECTION
WILD HERBIVORES management of high altitude
important ecosystem services such as water
Combined use of Earth grasslands providing plenty of and climate regulation.
observation data and empirical information for remote areas.”
models support the management Outlook to the future
Ramona Viterbi, Gran Paradiso National Park
of wild herbivores and Protected areas need multiple monitoring
biodiversity of the Gran Paradiso High altitude grasslands at the Nivolet Plain tools, combined with ecological and
National Park, in Italy. (Gran Paradiso National Park). be used for planning interventions in the biogeochemical modelling and data analysis.
© Antonello Provenzale management of forest encroachment as well The ECOPOTENTIAL project is currently
as in informing the management plan of the working with 24 protected areas across
The challenge in situ data, models and climatic projections,
Europe and beyond in improving the use
and deriving plant productivity, snow cover, park and taking decisions regarding permitting.
High-altitude grasslands, essential for the of Earth observation for the management
surface temperature, as well as changes
sustainment of mountain herbivores, are semi- of protected areas. ECOPOTENTIAL is
in land cover from MODIS, Landsat and
natural habitats resulting from agro-pastoral developing an open on-line platform linked to
Copernicus Sentinel 2 data.
activities and represent more than 30% of the the information system of the international
surface in Gran Paradiso National Park. The park managers and the scientific staff Group on Earth Observations, which will
can now rely on Earth observation derived host remote sensing derived data, ecological
The abandonment of traditional management models and tools targeted to protected areas,
data, elaborated using several models and
practices, together with climate change, are that can also be used by non-experts in
algorithms, to programme and optimise field
altering their plant composition and growth, remote sensing technologies.
surveys and management actions.
leading to tree encroachment, affecting the
net ecosystem CO2 exchange and causing a Remote sensing derived data like vegetal Acknowledgements
decrease in biodiversity. biomass growth, weekly updated snow
cover maps and identification of anticipation The ECOPOTENTIAL project is funded by the
All such changes can seriously affect both European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
of green-up inform empirical models on the Copernicus Sentinel-2 false colour image of Gran
the traditional landscapes and wild animal innovation programme (grant agreement No
dynamics of large herbivore populations that Paradiso National Park. Red and brown areas
populations, also reducing the attractiveness 641762).
can be used by the park technical staff to correspond to forest and prairies (acquired on
of the park for sustainable tourism. 23/07/2016). © CREAF for ECOPOTENTIAL Consortium.
understand criticalities affecting population
Detailed surveys are necessary but extremely trends.
difficult in remote areas covered with snow The array of available data, also combined
for a large part of the year. Benefits to Citizens with population dynamics and distribution
The use of Earth observation products has led models, allows more effective monitoring
The space based solution to a deeper knowledge of the park’s territory, of the park’s biodiversity and herbivores’
Mariasilvia Giamberini1, Antonello Provenzale1,
The H2020 project ECOPOTENTIAL assessed enabling better management of the park and survival. Overall, more effective knowledge-
Simona Imperio2, Ilaria Baneschi1,
the status of mountain grasslands in Gran the optimisation of its resources. This has informed decisions can be taken, allowing an
Ramona Viterbi3
Paradiso National Park by investigating the also resulted in a reduction in the cost of on- improvement of conservation of the natural
landscape and animal populations that also 1. National Research Council of Italy, IGG-
ongoing and expected changes in rainfall, site monitoring and targeting management
intervention, resulting in a more efficient use sustain ecological tourism in the Park, whose CNR, Italy 2. Italian National Institute for
plant productivity, biodiversity and carbon
cycling in meadows under different climatic, of public economical resources. mission is to protect species and habitats, Environmental Protection and Research, Italy
environmental and land-use regimes, using contributing to the implementation of the 3. Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy
In particular, maps of land use change can
EU biodiversity strategy, and to preserve Email: giamberini@igg.cnr.it
“
REGIONAL FLOOD My colleagues from the BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MONITORING WITH environment and the flood PROTECTION
SENTINELS DATA departments are very
flood mapping service was monitoring the
Complementary to the Copernicus interested; this information evolution of the situation of the main rivers
Emergency Management Service, would complement the in the North East (e.g. Ill, Meuse, Meurthe,
a dedicated service for local flood theoretical models very well.” Sarre, Zorn), thanks to the 20 successive
monitoring is also available at Sentinel-1 radar acquisitions (in ascending
Frank Pouvreau, Direction départementale and descending modes) with an average
regional level for small des territoires du Bas-Rhin, French Ministry of one observation every 1.5 days over the
and mid-size events. of Ecological and Solidarity Transition month. Maps were made available to the
public through SERTIT’s website and geo-
The challenge past events may also be provided through the information products provided through the
exploitation of archive satellite data. EUGENIUS regional hub which is using
The importance of water resources and Main rivers of the French Grand Est Region: flooding
INSPIRE standards and allows products to
the increasing frequency of flood events situation, the 23 January 2018.
be downloaded by the users’ community
around the world over the last few decades, surveillance mission, which has opened the (local authorities, 10 departments of the
emphasise the need for timely and cost- door to the setting up of a regional systematic Grand Est Region) for further analyses (e.g.
effective monitoring. Earth Observation Flood Monitoring Service, filling the gap in situation management, flood model tuning,
technique has already demonstrated its flood related geo-information user demand at flood prevention action).
capacity in detecting and monitoring flooded local level.
areas. For flood emergency situations, geo- Outlook to the future
information and maps related to large scale The space based solution
catastrophic events are provided to Civil Within EUGENIUS, the flood service is
Protection organisations or NGOs within Within the framework of the EUGENIUS foreseen to be deployed in other European
the framework of the Copernicus Emergency H2020, an European network of service regions which are regularly subject to
Mapping Service (EMS Rapid Mapping). providers is delivering geo-information flooding (e.g. Occitania in France or Northern
services to the regional and local European Greece). This downstream service illustrates
In the case of regional (local) small and mid- market; based on the combined exploitation the whole Copernicus value-chain benefits for
size flood events, until now, no service has of Copernicus satellite data (especially Ill river flood extent, upstream of Strasbourg city, the territory planning community, for flood
been available for systematic observation Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2) and local data, a observed by Sentinel-1A satellite on 23 January 2018 risk prevention and management authorities
and monitoring of flood footprint evolution in common catalogue of thematic services has as well as for individual citizens.
space and time. This requested information been set up, amongst which, the regional Benefits to Citizens
should support application domains such as flood monitoring service delivered by SERTIT. Acknowledgements
Deployed in the French Grand Est Region
environment, biotopes, wetland and water
This service allows for the collection of geo- during the first year of the project, the This project has received funding from the EU
management, flood prevention plan and flood
information related to ongoing regional plain flood mapping service demonstrated its H2020 research and innovation programme
modelling, land planning or the insurance sector.
floods. During the event, thanks to the high usefulness during the large flood events under grant agreement No 730150 EUGENIUS
The Sentinels constellation constitutes revisit frequency of the Sentinels satellites, which have affected France in January 2018. H2020-EO-2016.
a milestone in the spatial and temporal the flood extent, observed at the time of Whereas Copernicus EMS, activated over the
improvements of satellite systematic acquisition, and its evolution, can be delivered Northern part of France, and the surrounding N. Tholey, J. Maxant, M. Studer
observations, which is of special interest shortly after EO data reception. After the event, areas of Paris, was in charge of the rapid
and P. de Fraipont
for flood information collection. These flood maximum extent, impact, or duration, mapping of the Seine river flooding, and its
ICube-SERTIT, France
satellites are able to ensure efficient routine are also proposed. Geo-information related to main tributaries (EMSR265), the regional
Email: nadine.tholey@icube.unistra.fr
“
THE POTENTIAL OF A Marine-EO will provide relevant BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PRE-COMMERCIAL new tools for monitoring one PROTECTION
PROCUREMENT APPROACH of the biggest EEZ in Europe:
A more effective marine monitoring service
IN EARTH OBSERVATION The Azores archipelago.” will be beneficial for the Portuguese, Spanish,
A Horizon 2020 funded project Filipe Porteiro, Norwegian and Greek citizens in regards to
aimed at developing customised Regional Director of Maritime Affairs some of their more precious natural resources.
solutions based on Copernicus The Mediterranean Sea based Public
Authorities, working on security, will be able
Downstream Services for Marine increasing the visibility of one of the main EU to access new services and subsequently
Monitoring and Security. The map shows the coastal erosion susceptibility
space flagships: Earth Observation. Marine- take more accurate action as well as protect
status in Santa Maria Island (Azores) and aims to
provide comprehensive knowledge of the potential EO will ensure that Europe’s investment in their assets.
The challenge impact on Azores islands of different natural space infrastructure is exploited to the benefit
disasters as well as identify assets at risk. The map of citizens and supported by European space Outlook to the future
The Marine-EO project teams up a group of five
was produced on 22/12/2015 by GEOAPINOKISIS science. Furthermore, the Marine-EO project After a successful implementation of the Pre-
maritime authorities (the Buyers Group) and
(EL) – NOA (EL) –CIMA (IT)-ALTAMIRA (ES) under the will promote the development of innovative Commercial Procurement, the buyers’ group
four scientific and technical organisations with service contract nr. 259811 of the EC. products and services based on remote will apply a dedicated plan to support large-
significant experience in Earth Observation and Credit: Contain Copernicus Sentinel data [2015]
sensing, geo-positioning or other types scale deployment of innovative solutions.
maritime matters. These institutions face a
of satellite-enabled data as well as geo- This process will link to the use of European
common challenge which is to develop, test and Environment Monitoring and Climate Change:
information already generated by services Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).
validate a bundle of innovative EO downstream The SATOCEAN service provides information
such as authorities to pursue a shared Several “High-Level Scenarios,” which will
services, bringing incremental or radical about ocean parameters variability in time
and comprehensive approach to maritime primarily form the EU cooperation umbrella
innovations in the field of maritime awareness, and space, best probable fishing areas, fish
security risk analysis and to make informed in the EO services for maritime surveillance,
leveraging on the existing Copernicus Services farm locations, and water quality. It also
decisions in operationally relevant timelines will be prepared for the post Marine-EO
(i.e. CMEMS, Security) and other products from incorporates sea ice extent for safe navigation
by increasingly supplying them with diverse period. The potential continuation of Marine-
the Copernicus portfolio. At the end of the PCP and maritime operations in the Arctic.
imagery, intelligence products, and services. EO activities through a Public Procurement of
process, the services that will be procured
•T
hematic Area 2 – Copernicus Security: The
are expected to contribute to the Common Innovative Solutions (PPI), the reinforcement
SATSURVEILLANCE service contributes to
Information Sharing Environment (CISE) of EU cooperation and the interaction with the
the development of EUROSUR regulation,
and other relevant frameworks related to Copernicus services about future initiatives,
by providing services in response to
maritime awareness. will be addressed.
Europe’s security challenges in the domains
The space based solution of Border Security, as the monitoring of Acknowledgements
unusual/irregular activity around a Critical
The Marine-EO project seeks to establish Infrastructure and the enhanced change This project received funding from the EU
EO-based services, covering sea-basins of detection for evidence of embarking or Horizon 2020 R&I programme under grant
the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Arctic, by disembarking of irregular immigrants. agreement nº. 730098.
adapting Copernicus data and information
regarding the Marine Environment, to meet Benefits to Citizens This Sentinel-1A radar image was processed to F. Vieira1, E. Doukoudaki1, E. Papadopoulou2,
depict water in blue and land in earthen colours. It Stelios C.A. Thomopoulos2 and
the demand of the procurers.
Overall, the project will contribute to features some of the Azores islands and highlights the
Alkis Astyakopoulos2
The innovative services are divided into two European society by meeting the objectives differences in the relief of the islands, with volcanoes
defined in the Commission Communication on and mountains clearly standing out. 1. Fundo Regional para a Ciencia e Tecnologia,
thematic areas:
Space Industrial Policy whilst simultaneously Credit: Contain Copernicus Sentinel data [2015]/ESA, Portugal
•
Thematic Area 1 – Copernicus Marine CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO released on 09/10/2015 2. NCRS Demokritos, Greece
“
TREE SPECIES MAPPING Land cover and tree BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
WITH MULTITEMPORAL distribution are main interests PROTECTION
SENTINEL-2 DATA of the biosphere reserve
space based solution contributes to several
Derivation of main land cover management. With the aid of projects initiated by the University of Natural
classes and a detailed tree these two products we have a Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU)
species distribution map from solid database for monitoring and the BPWW Management. Furthermore,
Copernicus datasets in UNESCO’s students of various master programmes at
and know where to focus, for BOKU can directly benefit from the gathered
Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald.
instance, when it comes to the knowledge on effective exploitation of S2
data for tree species mapping.
topic of green corridors.”
The challenge Dr. Herbert Greisberger,
UNESCO’s biosphere reserves are model Director, Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald The potential value of other Copernicus missions
regions for promoting and developing is well recognized. We work on approaches to
sustainability. Ecological balance, economic water). The developed semi-automated combine S2 imagery with remotely sensed
security and social equity are the three workflow includes feature selection and model data from other sensors (e.g. of the Sentinels
pillars. In biosphere reserves, stakeholders optimization. In addition, we implemented constellation) to further increase classification
aim to develop, implement and evaluate a change-detection application to monitor accuracy, class depth and the spatial resolution
models of sustainable use. This requires forest management activities. Copernicus data of our product. Application of our method in
detailed and up-to-date information about enables us to achieve consistent and spatially other forested areas and/or other biosphere
the biosphere including its natural assets. accurate mapping of tree species. reserves would be highly appreciated.
The biosphere reserve Wienerwald (BPWW),
founded by the federal States of Lower Benefits to Citizens Acknowledgements
Cumulated tree species and land cover product from
Austria and Vienna, covers an area of 105,645 the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald derived from The derived product represents the first tree We thank our project partners Austrian
hectares (of which 60% is forest) and extends Copernicus S2-data. species distribution map of the BPWW and Federal Forests (ÖBf), Forestry Office and
across 51 communities in Lower Austria and now constitutes an important basis for the Urban Agriculture of Vienna (MA 49) and
satellites delivers earth observation data of
seven municipal districts of Vienna. Some sustainable development of the reserve. The forest enterprise of Heiligenkreuz Abbey for
unprecedented quality. The sensors on board
815,000 people live in the region of BPWW established workflow serves as an efficient providing reference information. The research
of S2 capture 13 spectral bands at 10, 20
which incorporates 15 nature preserves. tool to detect the high variety of tree species was partly supported by the Austrian
and 60 m spatial resolution and pass every
Unfortunately, the current information about which is crucial for the maintenance of current Research Promotion Agency through the
point on Earth at least every five days (even
the forest ecosystem is based on a patchwork ecosystem services in one of Europe’s largest ASAP project 854027 EO4Forest.
more frequently in areas of overlapping
of different data sources and is not up-to-date. contiguous broad-leaved forests. Furthermore,
orbits). Using advanced image processing Markus Immitzer 1, Martin Neuwirth 1,
tools and machine learning techniques, it is the product can be used to derive parameters
The space based solution Sebastian Böck 1, Francesco Vuolo 1,
possible to produce highly accurate and up- which are directly related to the recent
We demonstrate how Sentinel-2 (S2) utilization of forest resources in the biosphere Clement Atzberger 1, Harald Brenner 2
to-date tree species maps from time series
satellite data can be used to support land reserve. Forest enterprises, forest authorities and Herbert Greisberger 2
of S2 images. In our case study, we used 18
administrations such as biosphere reserves to cloud-free S2 scenes acquired between August and administrations, as well as site managers, 1. University of Natural Resources and Life
achieve their goals by providing detailed land 2015 and October 2017 for the classification benefit from such detailed tree species and Sciences, Austria
cover and tree species related information. of 12 tree species (seven broad-leaved and timely forest change mapping. The tool and 2. Biosphärenpark Wienerwald Management
With its high spatial, spectral and temporal five coniferous species) and four non-forest methodology can be applied globally for similar GmbH, Austria
resolution, the twin constellation of S2 classes (grassland, agriculture, built-up and classification tasks. Additionally, the proposed Email: markus.immitzer@boku.ac.at
“
WETLAND FUNCTIONAL This application has transformed BIODIVERSITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT the way we manage the public PROTECTION
Hydrological, biogeochemical land of Sougéal marshes for
measures under the Habitats and Water
and ecological wetland functions biodiversity and conservation Framework Directives of the European Union.
can be assessed using Earth issues.” Specifically, this tool has the potential to
Observation data and multi- provide a mapping of ecosystem services,
Aurélien Bellanger, Communauté de Communes
criteria analysis to meet du Pays de Dol et de la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel
conservation management priorities, and
the challenges of wetland possible improvements in water resources
management and conservation. management.

The challenge Lately, preliminary tests using cost-free
Wetlands have hydrological, biogeochemical, Sentinel-1/2 time series pointed out that this
and ecological functions that are widely data could improve the result. Specifically,
recognised. Traditionally, functional multispectral Sentinel-2 data provide a more
assessment approaches have been based on detailed characterisation of vegetation at
GIS layers derived from Earth observation data that the level of plant associations, whilst SAR
field observations, and therefore, have been
were used to characterize the wetlands examined; Sentinel-1 time-series are relevant to accurately
limited to sites of a few hectares. However,
Couesnon marshes, Brittany, France.
some processes, such as nutrient fluxes that monitor surface water extent. Thus, Sentinel
influence water quality, need to be considered wetlands All these maps can be derived from data should lead to the development of finer
on a catchment scale. Earth observation airborne-based and/or space-based solutions descriptors related to soil properties, such as
data represent a potentially practical and such as Lidar and stereoscopic data, optical moisture content or nutrient concentrations.
economically suitable tool for extracting and radar time-series from which vegetation
functional descriptors of wetlands. indices are extracted for instance. All these Acknowledgements
maps express the controlling variables that This study was supported by the Zone Atelier
The space based solution determine the functional performances of the Armorique programme (CNRS), KALIDEOS
Wetland functions are differentiated into wetlands for various ecosystems services. Bretagne (CNES). We are also grateful to
spatial units accounting for multiple criteria They are then combined using multi-criteria local authorities (Communauté de Communes
extracted from various spatial data source. analysis to evaluate the overall functional Map of wetland functions at the catchment scale. du Pays de Dol et de la Baie du Mont-
These wetland-related geographic information assessment of wetlands. Example for the Flood peak attenuation; Couesnon Saint-Michel) and water managers (SAGE
system layers are derived from Earth marshes, Brittany, France. Couesnon).
observation data available on a fine and large- of European Functional Assessment
Most of the described data are freely available, Laurence Hubert-Moy 1, Sébastien Rapinel 1,
scale making this method reproducible on any Procedures (PROTOWET, EVALUWET) in
other study sites. The spatially-explicit criteria which is of great interest for managers. Eric Pottier 2, Cendrine Mony 3 and Aurélien
mapping and simulating ecosystem functions
used to map these functional indicators are Mapping of hydrological, biogeochemical, across different scenarios; this facilitates Bellanger 4
the following: a map of the hydrogeomorphic and ecological wetland functions over large compromises amongst the stakeholders. 1. UMR LETG 6554 CNRS, France
units, a hydrographic network map, a areas is an efficient tool for policymakers Furthermore, these maps have enabled a 2. UMR IETR 6164 CNRS, France
vegetation map, a map of annual floods and other stakeholders including water characterisation of the functional connections 3. UMR ECOBIO 6553 CNRS, France
duration, a map of biomass production, a authorities, nature conservation agencies, that are present at catchment level, and this 4. Communauté de Communes du Pays de Dol
map of the meadows management modes and farmers. To date, the feedback received has led to the objective identification of sites et de la Baie du Mont Saint Michel, France
and finally a map of the external limits of the from managers highlights the usefulness that qualify for restoration or compensation Email: laurence.hubert@univ-rennes2.fr
Climate, Water Civil Protection
ment and Energy
n
CLIMATE, WATER AND ENERGY
Water is life. In too many regions in Europe and worldwide, this precious resource is coming
under increasing pressure, in particular from economic activities. In parallel, demands for energy
are ever increasing, calling for secure, affordable and sustainable production practices. Climate
change affects the availability of water and energy in multiple ways. Effective mitigation and
adaptation measures need to be taken to reduce exposure and vulnerability to shortages of water
and energy and to many other aspects induced by climatic changes. However, it is apparent that
with demands for energy, water, and food growing around the world, there are many opportunities
for the needs in one area to produce unintended outcomes in another, with unexpected broader
economic, environmental, and security consequences. Understanding the implications of these
linkages is indispensable to the development of sound policies. In this respect, the EU and
its Member States agreed to a global action plan for climate to put the world on track to limit
global warming to well below 2°C. In parallel, other relevant policies provide for “good quality”
rivers, lakes, ground and coastal waters (e.g. EU Water Framework Directive) and for ensuring
progress towards a carbon-free economy by 2020 (e.g. EU Renewable Energy Directive). Well-
informed action must be taken at all levels: global, regional, national, and local solutions are
needed to tackle systemic problems facing the Earth and its interactions with society. At regional
level, mitigation and adaptation to climatic changes will occur most efficiently where local water
and energy agencies can pool resources and competences to address issues that will inevitably
cross local boundaries. Through its dedicated Climate Change Service, Copernicus provides
authoritative, quality-assured information to help our understanding of climate change and inform
the development of policies addressing mitigation and adaptation measures. This leverages on
all relevant Earth observations data and on information available from the other Copernicus
Services. Data from all Copernicus Sentinel satellites are relevant in this respect, being related
to e.g. glaciers and ice-sheets (Sentinel-1), sea surface temperature and ocean surface height
Sicily hotspot (Sentinel-3), methane, ozone and cloud/aerosol (Sentinel-5P). Copernicus data and products can
Thermal signatures (brightness temperatures) over southern Italy, support the development of sustainable practices related to water and energy management
the Mediterranean Sea and Sicily – with the hotspot of Mount Etna clearly visible, as measured by through e.g. monitoring of inland water basins and snow/glaciers or performance forecasting for
Sentinel-3A on June 05, 2018.
renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower.
Credit: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2018), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
EARTH OBSERVATION AND DON’T POUR MONEY DOWN THE Midtjylland -
European coasts Midtjylland S1 4
THE COASTAL ZONE: FROM South Holland DRAIN -FIX IT! Vestjylland
(UK, Spain, Romania, S1, S2 3
GLOBAL IMAGES TO LOCAL (Zuid-Holland) Central Transdanubia
Netherlands) GLOBAL REAL TIME ONLINE Central
INFORMATION Western Transdanubia S2, S3 3
WATER QUALITY MAPPING Transdanubia
KEEPING TRACK OF Southern Transdanubia
Iceland
RETREATING GLACIERS IN Landsbyggð S2 5 INFORMING WATER Attica
(Ísland)
ICELAND RESOURCES MANAGERS IN (Περιφέρεια Sardinia S2 3
NEW LEVEL OF BALTIC Lesser Poland SARDINIA Αττικής)
Pomeranian
SEA MONITORING USING Voivodeship S3 3 MONITORING GROUNDWATER
Voivodeship
SENTINEL-3 DATA (Małopolska) FLOODING IN IRELAND USING Dublin Region Ireland S1 3
SATELLITE IMAGERY FOR SENTINEL-1 SAR
AN IMPROVED COASTAL Nouvelle-Aquitaine Nouvelle-Aquitaine S2 3/4 WATER BODIES DETECTION
MANAGEMENT Slovenia Slovenia S1 4/5
ON A PORTAL
SATELLITE MONITORING OF HOW COPERNICUS SUPPORTS
SUSPENDED PARTICULATE Basilicata Basilicata S2, S3 2 Oberbayern Trier S1, S2 3
THE ENERGY TRANSITION
MATTER
SENTINEL-2 MISSION * Copernicus data sources mentioned in the user stories. Acronyms refer to: S1: Sentinel-1; S2: Sentinel-2; S3:
SUPPORTS COASTAL Cádiz Sentinel-3.
Andalusia - Cádiz S2 3
MANAGEMENT FOR OPTIMISED (Cádiz) ** The Usage Maturity Level assigned to each story has been self-assessed by the Authors. Values range from 1
DECISION MAKING (Explorer) to 5 (Operational User). For the definition, please refer to Fig. 3 in p. 26.
SPACE-BASED APPROACH Region of affiliation of the lead Author and Main region of application of the User Story as declared
TO MONITORING PEATLAND North Yorkshire North Yorkshire S1, S2 3 by the Authors.
RESTORATION
TRACKING ALGAL BLOOMS ON
Klaipeda County Lithuania S2, S3 3
THE CURONIAN LAGOON
TRACKING STORMS AND Europe + Tropical
Brittany
HURRICANES USING SAR areas, including French S1 3
(Bretagne)
IMAGES Overseas Departments
Lombardy
Umbria
A VIEW OF YOUR INLAND Lombardy United Kingdom
S2, S3 4
WATER BODIES FROM SPACE (Lombardia) The Netherlands
Estonia
Lithuania
EARTH OBSERVATION
AND THE COASTAL ZONE:
FROM GLOBAL IMAGES
“ This tool provides very relevant
information on the coastal
status and delivers this in a
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
‘data-collaboration’ within existing open source

TO LOCAL INFORMATION format beneficial for use by communities. This was tested in four different
Copernicus helps to harness the managers and coastal engineers European countries, hands-on training sessions
potential of foreshores to be used helping them to design cost- and during webinars.
as part of nature-based solutions effective sustainable flood Outlook to the future
towards reducing coastal flood “The intricate network of channels and creeks
and erosion risk. contrasts with the regular shapes of transformed safety solutions.” The MI-SAFE platform is unique in its
saltmarsh (right of picture),” writes Edward P. Morris, combination of modelling and EO capability. We
Sentinel-2 ‘Colour vision’ photo competition. Prof. Dr. Ir. Stefan Aarninkhof, believe that we have created a flexible platform
The challenge Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] Delft University of Technology to further evolve and adapt to accommodating
Achieving fully integrated and sustainable This approach thus makes use of scientific new developments in data-availability and
coastal zone management is one of the innovations to derive evidence and actionable requests from users for adapted functionalities
greatest challenges facing European Union information from Earth Observation (EO) in advanced modalities through training and
Member States. Sea level rise, climate change cooperation.
resources, with a particular focus on the
and increasing coastal pressures, intensify this capabilities of the European Copernicus Increasing the temporal resolution (seasonal
challenge, demanding innovative approaches programme. By aligning a wide range of and annual) is a valuable next step that
towards coastal management, including flood disciplines, this approach resulted in the exploits the new high-resolution sensors
and erosion risk reduction. This increased generation of the MI-SAFE platform of for the detection of coastal changes that are
risk will necessitate increased investment in services. On a global scale, we produce Characteristics of MI-SAFE platform end-users impacting flood safety. This requires progress
flood defence infrastructures. To reduce costs brand new open source and unique EO-based on data fusion with other sensor platforms,
and to limit negative impacts on ecosystems, information on coastal status and flood risk Benefits to Citizens image mining and algorithm improvements
interventions that integrate natural vegetated parameters filling in gaps in existing datasets. Worldwide coastal coverage allows citizens to that deliver high quality information on coastal
foreshores within flood defence schemes At local level we deliver tailor-made highest status. Together with engineers and coastal
become informed on the importance of their
are now being actively explored. However, resolution information and training relevant managers, the platform could be developed into
natural coastline for reducing flood risk. The
to advance in such flood management for coastal managers and engineers who a management tool that keeps observing and
comprehensive dataset and modelling tool is
approaches a better understanding of natural want to integrate natural features in cost- quantifying coastal safety and threats for whole
contributing to the assessment of the status
flood/erosion protection and robust scientific effective Nature Based Solutions. regions of coasts in relation to increasing the
of regional coastal zones for managers and
observations are needed. impact of climate change and sea level rise.
To generate and demonstrate MI-SAFE policymakers. For managers and engineers,
services, we have gathered, reclassified and the interface is a way forward towards
The space based solution M.B de Vries 1, I. Möller 2, G. Peralta 3, E.
produced open format layers of information utilising the vastly increasing quantities of
A way forward is to use a combination of Morris, A. Stanica 4, A. Scrieciu, D. Van der Wal
on elevation, vegetation, water level and high resolution data for producing information
remote sensing and field data from foreshores relevant for finding nature-based flood safety
5
and B. Van Wesenbeeck
wave statistics; using EO resources (Sentinel
to map vegetated foreshores and how their solutions. The platform’s shared information 1. Deltares, The Netherlands,
satellite images), numerical models, but
specific characteristics affect wave energy also data collected in situ. To obtain this provides input for effective communication 2. University of Cambridge, UK
and erosion. This will result in novel ways of information, enormously large datasets around nature-based coastal management 3. Universidad de Cadiz, Spain
extracting relevant information from satellite were digested that are open for public use. options between stakeholders around 4. Geoecomar, Romania
images and thus to help predict the shoreline All continents are included, highest level of possible managed realignment projects 5. Nioz, The Netherlands
protection provided by those foreshores. detail is generated for European saltmarshes. or coastal wetland restoration schemes. Elaborated from the FP7 FAST project.
See http://fast.openearth.eu Its open data approach offers opportunities for Grant agreement number 607131.
KEEPING TRACK OF
RETREATING GLACIERS
IN ICELAND
“ Using the Sentinel images to
update our map database has
not only improved our data but
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
largely from glacial rivers. Monitoring the

In Iceland maps and spatial also our productivity.” glacier environment is therefore important
data around glaciers are being Magnús Guðmundsson,
to secure the future of these power plants.
updated with Sentinel-2 data, General Director NLSI The cost related to updating this data with
a novel way to document rapid Sentinel imagery is marginal in comparison
to aerial, or very high-resolution satellite
changes due to climate change. Cloud-free Sentinel image obtained August 30th, imagery. Compared with aerial photography
2017 roughly covers 2/3 of Iceland. the use of Sentinel imagery has the benefit of
large simultaneous area coverage. For these
The challenge base map database in Iceland. A regular reasons Sentinel imagery was used by the
update of data around the glaciers has not National Land Survey as the basis for feature
The largest glaciers in Europe are in Iceland
been possible due to lack of uniform data and extraction of glacial rivers and glacier extent.
and glacial rivers flow from these to sea,
high cost, resulting in outdated information
crossing the road system in various places. The Outlook to the future
about the glacial river pattern and the glacier
glaciers are generally retreating inland due to
extent. The optimal solution to that problem
climate change and the glacial river pattern in The Sentinel-2 large image size and frequent
came when the Sentinel-2A satellite crossed
front of the glaciers is therefore changing. The revisit time, will provide the basis for
Iceland on 30 August 2017 and imaged
river flow tends to fluctuate from year to year, monitoring future changes in glacier extent
nearly 2/3 of the country. This timing, i.e. late
thus affecting the road system. Also, glacial and glacial river pattern detection in Iceland.
summer, enabled extraction of exact glacier
outbursts are not uncommon due to volcanism It will be possible to monitor these changes
outlines for almost all of Iceland´s glaciers.
beneath glacier ice. Large scale melting of ice more frequently and with more precision than
Thus, the Late Summer Snow Line (LSSL)
under such conditions causes „jökulhlaup“, or before. In Iceland, the largest volcanoes lie
is established which is an approximate for
the sudden release of meltwater that may underneath the glaciers. Sentinel imagery can
the Equilibrium Line as an indicator for the
amount to 50.000 m3/sec, e.g. the Gjálp also be used to reveal changes in the glacier
minimum annual glacier extent. Sentinel-1
eruption in 1996. With a population of less surface, such as sink depressions caused by
and Sentinel-2 dense time series can also
than 340,000, and a total land area of 103,000 geothermal melting of ice, that may indicate
be used to estimate the glaciers’ velocities.
km2, Iceland is the seventh least densely potential volcanic activity. Such rapid melting
This image has since been used to extract the
populated country in the world. This means Hoffellsjökull glacier extent and river pattern in 2013 by subglacial volcanism may cause immense
glacial river pattern in front of glaciers as well
that traditional and recurrent monitoring of (above) and in 2017 (below) showing 1-2 km retreat. transport of volcanic debris/ash that can
as the glacier extent. Manually, the results
land from airplanes is much too expensive Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] partially fill up hydro dam reservoir, thus
are cleaned by visual comparison of ground
for glaciers in remote areas. Monitoring from seriously diminishing their annual capacity.
truth as seen in the Sentinel imagery. proglacial environment, where glacial river
space with the Sentinels is therefore a good
option due to no cost, high revisit time and flow paths need to be upgraded frequently
Benefits to Citizens to update maps and map services. This
large area coverage, which is very important
when monitoring the rapidly changing glacial Using Sentinel imagery to update the updated data makes travelling around the
landscape. datasets around the glaciers of Iceland has glaciers safer, especially for tourists with
many benefits. The first and most obvious little knowledge of the glacier environment.
Gunnar H Kristinsson and Jóhann Helgason
The space based solution is to monitor glacier retreat resulting from It can also be mentioned that about 87% of
the energy used in Iceland is from renewable National Land Survey of Iceland, Iceland
The National Land Survey of Iceland is climate change. Also important is how this
sources of which 80% is from hydropower, Email: johann@lmi.is
responsible for maintaining a free and open work aids the monitoring of hazardous
gunnar@lmi.is
NEW LEVEL OF BALTIC
SEA MONITORING USING
SENTINEL-3 DATA
“ Possibility to retrieve and use
satellite data is an invaluable
addition to our analysis which
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
situations for themselves in chosen areas of

Maritime Spectator is a web- allows to expand and improve interest. The solutions provides completely
based application simplifying its temporal and spatial new opportunities for understanding this
process of gathering satellite extent.” large water body whose behaviour strongly
data and helping understand sea affects the economy of coastal regions. Thus,
Maciej Kałas, PhD, its better understanding will directly convert
surface behaviour. Full coverage of Baltic Sea with Sentinel-3 satellite. Maritime Institute in Gdańsk to citizens wellbeing.
Sea level and temperature measurements in Maritime
Spectator. Outlook to the future
The challenge Furthermore, through much better The very existence of Maritime Spectator and
satellite which takes maritime monitoring to understanding of sea surface behaviour it its increasing capabilities are directly related
Monitoring Baltic Sea levels is a very
another level. Sentinel-3 on its own allows provides the opportunity to optimise solutions to what programmes, such as Copernicus, can
important task which ensures safe shipping
monitoring sea temperature, surface height, for the shipping industry, improving the deliver and how the European Space Sector
and investments in coastal regions,
wind speed, ice thickness and more. Maritime safety of vessels and transport management. will evolve over the coming years. That
environment protection and foremost safety
Spectator visualises data on the map and Thanks to frequent data updates Maritime is why it is so crucial for citizens, industry
for urban areas vulnerable to rapid changes in
enables easy processing and tracking of new Spectator can fuel early warning systems and administration to fully support the
this large water body. Unfortunately, constant
measurements, giving specialists access for areas endangered by rising sea levels, development of space technologies for us all
measurement at such a large scale is a costly
to new information just hours after the potentially saving lives and allowing for to benefit from.
and dangerous process. Very often, this
satellite passes over Baltic. This enables a much more effective response in critical
makes it impossible, as even with sufficient
the analysis of the state of the sea surface, situations.
funds this type of monitoring is difficult
with unprecedented temporal and spatial
to carry out due to continuously varying
resolution which physically would not be
conditions of the sea’s surface. Therefore, a
possible without Sentinel 3 being in orbit.
more technologically advanced solution was
needed which could tackle this problem at Benefits to Citizens
much lower operational cost and without the
need to directly involve humans. Maritime Spectator enables coastal
authorities and institutions such as the
The space based solution Maritime Institute to increase the frequency
Maritime Spectator is a web-based software of measurement and its coverage to
solution developed for the Maritime Institute complement their earth-based data. Thanks
in Gdansk. It is fuelled on a daily basis by to Sentinel-3 data they are able to produce
better and more complete products for their Sentinel-3 tracked in real time in Spectator. It allows
a stream of data continuously delivered by
clients and for citizens. Better awareness of a to provide up -to-date information on overpass and
Sentinel-3. Maritime monitoring received a data acquisition over Baltic Sea area.
big boost in terms of technological capabilities number of parameters of the large water body Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2018]
thanks to the Copernicus Programme. The opens up new possibilities for their domain.
first two satellites allowed improvements of In many cases this directly translates into
applications such as vessel tracking and sea ensuring the safety and wellbeing of citizens In the future, it will be also able to share Waldemar Franczak
pollution detection. But the biggest help came spending their time at the coast in the Baltic information directly with the citizens, who Spectator Ltd, Poland
after the successful launch of the Sentinel-3 region. will always have a possibility to monitor Email: waldemar@spectator.earth
SATELLITE IMAGERY
FOR IMPROVED COASTAL
MANAGEMENT
“ The use of satellite data
to enhance our knowledge
and monitoring of marine
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
trends dedicated to forecasting the impact of

Copernicus satellite imagery ecosystems will contribute future coastal hazard. Earth observation and
provides a new paradigm in earth to the regional blue growth ocean colour tools allow water constituent
observation thanks to regular, Coastline detection and change analysis from 2013 to strategy we are currently concentration to be characterised thanks to
high quality imagery and accurate relative water transparency. These indicators
2015 in Pavillon Royal beach, Bidart, Basque country,
satellite derived products. south-west France. launching.” are of importance for coastal managers as
they represent key indicators of the coastal
Marie-Agnès Dupouey, morphology and water quality.
Blue Growth at Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine
The challenge Copernicus Sentinel-2 optical sensor, allow Outlook to the future
accurate physical and biogeochemical
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region features more and restricted to calm sea states to ensure The next generation of Copernicus and
parameters derivation. For example, they
than 700 km of coastline and presents one of human safety, or costly airborne bathymetric Sentinel satellite missions planned by the
enable e.g bathymetric maps that cover the
the areas with the most rapid demography Lidar surveys. Conversely, satellite earth European Commission and the ESA will
first 10 to 20 metres depth depending on
mostly focused on the coastal area. Coastal observation is identified as a cost effective improve ocean colour applications dedicated
the transparency of ocean waters and water
ecosystems are driven by complex interactions solution for large and long term monitoring of to strategic defence and environmental
constituent concentrations.
where physical processes are controlled coastal systems and henceforth for deriving issues as they combine high space, time and
mainly by marine forcing ranging from Accuracy of coastal morphological features radiometric resolutions, guaranteed for long-
useful environmental parameters for decision
seconds to decades, respectively for waves positioning and change analysis can reach term perspectives. Coastal monitoring is also
making through regular and accurate mapping
to tides, winds and seasonal river discharge high performance achieving accurate a key sector for the future of the blue growth
to ensure the safety of people and goods.
changes and trends over time. Therefore, erosional trends such as coastline change, and further sustainable worldwide economy.
Moreover, climate change impacts have to
nearshore and coastal environments are only limited by the resolution of the space
be addressed. Thus, coastal change analysis
among the most dynamic and constantly borne sensors. Lastly, in the very near
must be based on regular and accurate surveys
Acknowledgements
changing on Earth. Whilst these regions play future, remotely-sensed coastal indicators
of key indicators in order to distinguish local Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional council,
a key role at the land and ocean interface, such as Sentinel-2 derived bathymetric
and short-term processes from long-term Département des Pyrénées Atlantiques, I-Sea
the state of the sea surface and especially charts are to be compiled by the Aquitaine
wave breaking prevent easy and safe ground Coastal Observatory in order to derive more and Telespazio France EarthLab Aquitaine
observations. Whilst field observations fail precisely the Aquitanian erosional trends support the development of operational
to be exhaustive due to their dynamical and and supply recommendations for coastal decision-making tools.
unsecured patterns, frequent and synoptic management support and local strategies in
observations acquired by multispectral optical order to preserve coastal zone. Integrated
satellite imagery enables adaptation of coastal coastal zone management at regional scales
observation strategies and management, that experience coastal erosion issues fits
both for scientist and end-users. perfectly with the Copernicus scope as it
supports sustainable marine and coastal
The space based solution activities, and risk mitigation strategies.
Based upon ocean colour and image processing Sylvain Capo 1 and Magali Pages 2
Benefits to Citizens Satellite derived Bathymetry of the Arcachon Lagoon,
tools combined with artificial intelligence derived from Sentinel-2A imagery. Optically deep 1. Telespazio France, France
and machine learning, multi-spectral high- Coastal monitoring is supported by either time waters are represented in black. 2. AEROCAMPUS Aquitaine, France
resolution satellite observations, including consuming field surveys, spatially limited Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2016]
Email: sylvain.capo@telespazio.com
SATELLITE MONITORING
OF SUSPENDED
PARTICULATE MATTER
“ The developed application
allowed us to carry out
effective real time monitoring
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
will be used in the future in place of MODIS

Monitoring anomalous events of the Ionian Sea coastal ones. Its spectral features specific for
occurred at Ionian coasts of water quality.” ocean colour applications will guarantee an
Basilicata Region by integrating improvement in results in terms of sensitivity
Gerardo Colangelo, towards the discrimination of the different
frequent and detailed multi- Basilicata Region officer in-water optical constituents. Finally, it is
source satellite data.
worth mentioning that the proposed analysis
should be extended to all the other calendar
provided them with information about the
SPM variability for the Basilicata region costal water months to have a clearer view of the whole
The challenge most critical areas that typically localised
area for the MODIS image acquired on 5 December area, better discriminating most critical
in front of the river mouths, have been
2013. coastal zones in terms of SPM concentration
River discharge affects Suspended Particulate affected by a water transparency reduction
values and variability. Moreover, the proposed
Matter (SPM) dynamics and variability in of spatial resolution, have been firstly used as well as by other phenomena, such as
approach can be easily exported to other
coastal areas, contributing to the generation to compute SPM concentration by adapting pollutant transport that could have affected
geographic regions and coastal areas, with
of possible environmental degradation a standard algorithm to the specific local the marine environment status. In the light
benefits for other Local Regional Authorities
situations. The coastal waters off the Basilicata conditions. Afterwards, the RST approach of this, amongst the other possible users,
managing water resources.
Region (southern Italy – Ionian Sea - eastern has been implemented enabling automatic aquaculture companies have found the
Mediterranean) coastline are affected by the detection of anomalous SPM concentrations in achieved results useful in order to exclude Acknowledgements
presence of five river mouths determining the days just after the flood wave peak. More the most vulnerable areas. Furthermore,
continuous water turbidity fluctuations that recently, data acquired by the MultiSpectral the effect on the shoreline evolution of past This work was carried out in the framework
can modify the quality status of this complex Instrument (MSI) of Sentinel-2A at 10 m of dredging actions was reconsidered. of the OP European Regional Development
coastal habitat. Only the implementation spatial resolution have been integrated in Fund (ERDF) Basilicata Region 2007–2013
of a monitoring system able to detect the the proposed application. Using these data IOSMOS (Ionian Sea water quality Monitoring
occurrence of any possible critical event, allowed for an improvement in the spatial by Satellite data) project, the Italian Ministry
may allow a sustainable management of this resolution of the achieved results, providing of University and Research RITMARE (Ricerca
region. Satellite data can be a useful tool for detailed information in shallow waters ITaliana per il MARE) Flagship project and
SPM variability monitoring, complementing close to the coastlines as well as during the OP European Social Fund (ESF) Basilicata
traditional in-situ based methods. non-extreme events, such as those recently Region 2007–2013 MOMEDAS (MOnitoraggio
affecting the area. delle acque del mar MEditerraneo mediante
The space based solution DAti Satellitari) project.
A multi-temporal analysis of 13 years Benefits to Citizens Example of application of MSI-Sentinel-2A data
of Moderate Resolution Imaging acquired on 30th April, 2018, for monitoring SPM in T. Lacava, N. Pergola, V. Satriano1 C. Di Polito,
Besides the investigation of a single event the investigated area. E. Ciancia, V. Tramutoli2 and D. Doxaran3
Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, based on
(e.g. December 2013), the proposed approach Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2018] 1. Institute of Methodologies for
the Robust Satellite Techniques approach
allowed for identifying areas where the
(RST), was implemented to analyse the Environmental Analysis, National Research
occurrence of anomalous SPM concentration Outlook to the future
effect, in terms of SPM variability, of the Council, Italy
was more frequent during the month of
extreme hydrological event that affected the 2. University of Basilicata, Italy
December for the whole 2003-2015 period. Data collected by the Ocean and Land Colour
area in December 2013. 3. Laboratoire d’Océanographie de
Such information was very helpful for the Instrument (OLCI), onboard Sentinel-3
In detail, daily visible MODIS data at 250 m Basilicata Region authorities because it satellite (operational since October 2016), Villefranche, France
Email: teodosio.lacava@imaa.cnr.it
SENTINEL-2 SUPPORTS
COASTAL MANAGEMENT
FOR OPTIMISED
“ Sentinel-2 will definitely help
us to solve the challenging
water quality monitoring along
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
has also allowed the study of the historic tuna

DECISION MAKING the coast of Cadiz, bringing new fishing “almadraba” in Barbate (Figure 1). In
Novel applications ranging from perspectives of applications into particular, the increasing demand for integrated
monitoring dredged induced focus such as dredging-induced guidelines and open access techniques by end-
turbidity plumes to tuna fishing users and water managers is being evaluated,
turbidity monitoring.” as they need to be reinforced before being
management in SW Spain
able to actively ensure upcoming policies by
Gregorio Gomez-Pina, National Coastal Office the agencies of the Regional Government. The
in Cadiz, Government of Spain.
proposed methodology is thought to bring
The challenge significant breakthroughs in the exploitation
(Figure 2). With this ongoing semi-operational
Sentinel-2 image of Cadiz coast showing Total of Copernicus data along the 1000 km of the
Monitoring the complex variations in water system, the National Coastal Office and the
Suspended Solids concentration (mg/L) in the Andalusian coast.
quality and understanding the impact of Regional Government of Andalusia will be able
Guadalquivir estuary and Cadiz Bay, and tuna fishing
environmental change on the Gulf of Cadiz to take advantage of Sentinel-2 time series. Outlook to the future
“almadraba” in Barbate.
ecosystem (SW Iberian Peninsula) is crucial
for a broad range of local/regional authorities,
Credit: Copernicus Service information [2016-2017] Benefits to Citizens
Overall, these results encourage additional
stakeholders, decision-makers, and researchers. MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) of Sentinel-2A proposals relying on both operational Sentinel-
It is worth emphasising the benefit of
The Guadalquivir estuary, as one of the largest at 10 m resolution is implemented to estimate 2A/B. With the 5-day revisiting of the two
assisting the services of local to regional
and most productive estuarine systems of Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Several field satellites, by integrating the data sources
initiatives for supporting ecosystem
Western Europe, and the Bay of Cadiz, are campaigns are carried out to collect in-situ into the workflow we will enter a new era for
policymakers contributing to the challenging
two hotspots strongly affected by human- measurements for calibration and validation time series analysis at high spatial resolution.
management of these highly sensitive regions.
related activities which have undergone of the regional multi-conditional model, which Likewise, further insights are needed to
The findings have projections regarding other
rapid agricultural, fisheries, touristic, and is developed with a switching method that examine other water quality parameters
topics related to coastal management options,
anthropogenic development. Specifically, automatically selects the most sensitive band such as chlorophyll-a in order to contribute
since the lower reaches of the estuary are
intense turbid episodes are one of the main avoiding saturation effects. Sentinel-2 scenes consolidating Sentinel-2 data to operationally
adjacent to the Doñana National and Natural
factors altering the functioning of both regions. are downloaded from the Data Hub and and routinely assist coastal zone management
Park, the largest reserve in Europe. Sentinel-2
The essence is that nowadays this coastal atmospheric correction is incorporated into as a contribution to the local and regional
zone experiences a conflict between economy the framework through ACOLITE processor. water quality programmes.
and sustainable environment, and there is a The semi-automatic model is routinely applied
need for bridging knowledge in order to ensure revealing improved mapping at unprecedented Acknowledgements
social and ecosystem resilience. Traditional in- resolution (unachievable with traditional
situ and modelling experiments have been ocean colour sensors) along the estuary, the We acknowledge the ICMAN-CSIC Sampling
developed, but new insights are required to bay and surrounding waters (Figure 1). This Unit OPECAM and Josefa Perez dredging ship
assist the cost-effective accomplishment of methodology can robustly address small-scale for field campaign assistance.
water quality at synoptic and transboundary monitoring due to the higher spatial resolution Isabel Caballero, Gabriel Navarro,
scales for the implementation of the European and band availability of Sentinel-2. In addition, Emma Huertas, Javier Ruiz
Marine and Water Strategy Directives. it has demonstrated the feasibility to effectively Sentinel-2 image showing the turbidity plume Department of Ecology and Coastal
estimate dredged-induced turbidity events generated during the dredging operations in the
The space based solution Management, Marine Science Institute
during the periodic dredging activities of the Guadalquivir estuary and Port of Seville and map of
of Andalusia (ICMAN-CSIC), Spain
A semi-automatic method based on the shipping channel close to the Port of Seville Suspended Solids in November 2016.
Credit: Copernicus Service information [2016-2017] Email: Isabel.caballero@icman.csic.es
SPACE-BASED APPROACH
TO MONITORING
PEATLAND RESTORATION
“ The innovation and enthusiasm
the YPP team bring in terms of
utilising and developing remote
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
impact. Successful peatland restoration can

sensing techniques ensures therefore impact on climate change, one of
Sentinel-1 and -2 data allows that our customers get the best the most serious challenges facing humanity
today.
Yorkshire Peat Partnership possible value from our peatland
(YPP) to be a lead innovator in restoration programme.” Outlook to the future
monitoring peatland restoration. An NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) Going forward, we will continue to use
generated from Sentinel 2 satellite data. This index Andrew Walker, Yorkshire Water Sentinel satellite data for monitoring our
shows vegetation productivity, as is particularly well sites. In particular, the higher resolution
The challenge suited in identifying areas of bare peat and burn scars of Sentinel 2 (10m) compared to Landsat
(red and orange areas).
The UK contains 13% of the world’s peatlands. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
8 (30m) will continue to improve our
Blanket bog, one of three types of peatland monitoring capabilities. As Sentinel 1’s life
in the UK, covers 70,000 hectares in Yorkshire to reflectance, and the reflectance bands span increases, our ability to investigate
alone. This makes the region both nationally used in the vegetation indices equation (see bog swelling (through surface deformation
and internationally important. Peatland image inset for an example of the NDVI). techniques) will continue to grow. Finally,
conservation is crucial when considering how Interferometry techniques that investigate the the launch of Sentinel 5P in 2017 is of great
to address the major environmental problems signal difference between two or more Sentinel interest to our future applications. The ability
faced by society today and into the future, 1 passes are analysed to create surface for Sentinel 5P to capture air pollutant data
such as climate change. This is why it is a deformation maps. These maps can indicate Surface deformation map showing vertical means we can investigate the effects of air
key area of focus for both UK and EU policy the extent of peatland swelling (a characteristic displacement (cm). pollution on peatland health and the impacts
makers. Our project area is vast, the fast of successfully restored peatlands). Bare peat Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] of upland burning. This growing capability
revisit times of Sentinel 1 and 2 allow us to and burn scar maps are generated from image from uplands dominated by peatlands. Acting will complement our ongoing unmanned
quickly and accurately monitor the success classification techniques (such as Maximum as a natural filter to water, healthy peatlands aircraft monitoring to better inform peatland
of restoration work. 3,464 hectares have Likelihood and Support Vector Machine). ensure high quality water to the surrounding management plans.
already been analysed using this method. These classifications use both Sentinel 1 and region. This has led to the financial support
YPP is managed by regional charity, Yorkshire Sentinel 2 data and help to quantify the extent from the regional water company, Yorkshire Acknowledgements
Wildlife Trust. The free to download data of damage across our sites. Water, in the belief that restored peatlands YPP has run successfully since 2009 and for
allows YPP to deliver effective large scale will reduce the cost of expensive treatment this, we would like to thank Yorkshire Wildlife
nature conservation on a tight budget.
Benefits to Citizens processes that chemically remove impurities. Trust, Natural England, Yorkshire Water, IUCN
Functioning blanket bog, which is actively Peat is formed by semi-decomposed plant UK Peatland Programme, Yorkshire Dales
The space based solution peat-forming, offers multiple benefits to wider material in a waterlogged environment. Due National Park, North York Moors National
With the launch of Sentinel 1 in 2014 and society. UK case studies of restored peatlands to the lack of normal decomposition processes, Park, Nidderdale AONB and the Environment
Sentinel 2 in 2015, YPP is able to access a suggest a reduction in flood peak of up to carbon from the atmosphere is locked up in Agency for their support.
plethora of retrospective data to understand 33%, leading to increased attention from the these systems, estimated at 550 gigatonnes
the characteristics of our sites before and after UK Government’s Environment Agency, who on a global scale (twice that stored by global Matthew Snelling and Christopher Osborne
restoration work. Sentinel 2 data is used to spent £24 million across Yorkshire to repair forests). In a damaged state, this leads to Yorkshire Peat Partnership, United Kingdom
monitor vegetation productivity and moisture flood damage in 2016 and are starting to invest the release of carbon dioxide, a significant Email:
through the calculation of vegetation indices in preventative natural flood management greenhouse gas, so it is important to restore
matthew.snelling@yppartnership.org.uk
(such as the NDVI). The data is converted techniques. 43% of UK drinking water comes and conserve healthy peatlands to reduce this
christopher.osborne@yppartnership.org.uk
TRACKING ALGAL
BLOOMS ON THE
CURONIAN LAGOON
“ The implementation of the WFD
was always challenging, relying
only on in situ monitoring. We
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
of natural assets. This leads to better

Satellite data are leading to believe satellites will provide preservation of the ecosystem services from
better water management, us with regular additional which citizens benefit, such as the recreational
value in the lagoon and lakes. There are
water quality assessment and information about status of our also some clear public health benefits from
The Curonian Lagoon: true colour view from space as
cyanobacterial bloom tracking. seen by Landsat-8 on 04/08/2015 (A), annual summer lagoon, lakes and coastal waters.” monitoring inland water quality. For example,
mean Chl-a concentration during 2010 derived from monitoring and forecasts of potentially harmful
MERIS images (B) and MERIS Chl-a-based water Head of the Division Eglė Šupinienė, algal blooms might result in the timely closure
Environment Research Department, EPA,
quality according to the Water Framework Directive, of bathing or fishing areas – thus decreasing
Lithuania
The challenge 2000/60/EC (C). the risk to public safety.
The Curonian Lagoon – the largest in Europe took place. The MEdium Resolution Imaging Outlook to the future
– is very important water body in the Spectrometer (MERIS), on-board the Envisat
western region of Lithuania for recreation, satellite, combined moderately high spatial Taking a full advantage of free and open
tourism, fishery and industry. The Curonian resolution (300 m) with a high revisit time (2-3 Copernicus Sentinel data, we tested and
Spit divides the lagoon from the Baltic Sea. days) and an appropriate spectral resolution. provided water quality parameters (e.g.
This area comprises a number of protected Using data from this sensor, comprehensive chlorophyll-a, total suspended matter, CDOM)
territories including National Parks on both algorithms for water quality retrieval were for the lagoon. These parameters will be
the Russian and Lithuanian parts of the spit developed. The birds-eye view from Space adopted for other Lithuanian water bodies
(also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site), enabled a better understanding of the huge with different bio-optical properties (large
Regional Parks, and Natura 2000 territories. cyanobacterial blooms, which develop on the lakes and coastal waters), whilst the approach
The freshwater lagoon is shallow (mean depth Curonian Lagoon, and can often cover almost can be reutilised in other geographical regions.
of 3.5 m), with a single and small opening to its entire surface (~1500 km2). These blooms Within EOMORES project, an integrated
the Baltic Sea which limits water exchange can be extremely harmful to human, animal service is being developed combining in situ,
and circulation. The Nemunas River entering and plant life. Building on the legacy of Envisat Earth observation and modelling data for
the central part of the lagoon is the main (and other Earth Observation satellites), the monitoring inland water bodies.
source of nutrients. The Curonian Lagoon is Copernicus Sentinels have ushered in a new
a highly turbid water body and seriously era of satellite Earth Observation, making
Acknowledgements
threatened by high concentrations of organic huge amounts of data available on a free and The work is funded by the EU’s Horizon
material as well as by harmful blooms of open basis and guaranteeing their long-term 2020 EOMORES project (No 687412) and the
cyanobacteria. Therefore, sustainable water sustainability. With both its satellites now in TODAY project funded by the Government of
quality and resource management of the orbit, Sentinel-2 provides optical data at 10 m Cyanobacteria surface accumulations in the Curonian Lithuania through an ESA Contract under the
lagoon is a priority for national and regional spatial resolution for the same location every Lagoon as mapped by 13 images of Sentinel-2 and PECS (No 4000122960/18/NL/SC).
authorities who require regular information 5 days. The successor of MERIS, Sentinel-3 Landsat-8 during summer 2013-2016.
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data
on its ecological status. (with two satellites in orbit) provides optical D. Vaičiūtė, M. Bučas1, M. Bresciani, C. Giardino2,
data each day with spatial resolution at 300 Benefits to Citizens D. Papadakis3, M. Laanen and A. Hommersom4
The space based solution m. It opens the opportunity to build services Operational water quality monitoring services 1. Klaipėda University, Lithuania; 2. CNR IREA,
The Curonian Lagoon has been monitored for water quality. The EOMORES (H2020) support more informed decision-making on Italy; 3. Evenflow, Belgium; 4. WaterInsight,
from space since 2009, when the first attempt and TODAY (national/ESA PECS) projects are the part of water resource managers, resulting the Netherlands
to map the severe summer algal blooms working towards this goal. overall in better safeguarding and stewardship Email: diana.vaiciute@jmtc.ku.lt
TRACKING STORMS AND
HURRICANES USING SAR
IMAGES
“ Tropical cyclones represent 20%
of the damage and casualties
caused by natural hazards,
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY

Since the launch of the constellation, when all phenomena are taken
Sentinel-1 keeps monitoring This is mainly explained by the only recent
into consideration” increase of freely accessible satellite
metocean extremes over European data provided by Sentinel-1 constellation
Philippe Caroff, Head of the cyclone forecast
and worldwide seas. centre at Météo-France at resolutions now approaching that of
meteorological models. Pilot studies have
shown the benefit of using these satellite
Surface wind measurement in Brittany during the
measurements to correct wrongly estimated
The challenge Ana storm - 11/12/2017 (from Sentinel-1 - VIGISAT winds in wave models, thus improving the
station). confidence in weather forecast warnings.
Earth Observation techniques on board the Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] The development of new assimilation
Sentinel satellites contribute to the monitoring methodologies adapted to such high-resolution
of the marine environment. With its unique based on forecast urricane trajectories measurements in atmospheric models is also
ability to observe sea surface and derive provided by supporting meteorological a potential perspective. To be operationally
wind, wave and currents measurements in centers. More than 25 observations over used, a dedicated acquisition strategy over
all weather and in day or night time over hurricane eyes were acquired and Tropical hurricane basins would be needed that enables
a wide swath image at high resolution, Cyclones (TC) were captured at different the activation of emergency services with
spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) development stages (up to category 5). Based late-programming of Sentinel-1 acquisitions.
instruments are normally perfectly suited on this unique dataset, the great relevance of This has already been demonstrated in pilot
Sentinel-1 dual-pol observations to measure Sentinel-1 derived surface wind speed over Irma on
for metocean applications. The wealth of studies but it is not operationally implemented.
07/09/2017 during a category-5 hurricane, showing
acquisitions recently allowed by Sentinel-1 extreme winds was demonstrated and a Additionally, the downlink and production of
winds greater than 80m/s
constellation opens the path to imagine and new methodology developed for dual SAR Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] the SAR extreme wind observations in Near-
build added-value services, in order to make operating in C-band, enabling better wind Real Time (NRT) would be needed, which
the most of Sentinel-1 potential and provide measurements for wind larger than 20m/s. time, after reception of the satellite data (see might require using emergency framework
new metocean applications. This is illustrated over Hurricane Irma. Based http://eoda.cls.fr for demonstrations) over and/or collaborative stations.
on these results, hurricane experts from the European seas for extra-tropical storms and
The space based solution WMO (World Meteorological Organization) the Indian Ocean for hurricanes applications. Acknowledgements
The ocean products derived from Sentinel-1 Hurricane Committee for USA/Caribbean
Benefits to Citizens The SHOC campaign was performed in
mission are routinely produced and delivered region, listed in their recommendations that
collaboration between CLS, IFREMER and
by European Space Agency (ESA) core ground “Special acquisitions plans during Irma, Jose
Extreme wind monitoring is essential for safety ESA. This campaign also benefited from
segments. Yet, they do not provide state- and Maria have demonstrated the high value
and emergency services. At present, SAR- complementary acquisitions from Radarsat-2,
of-the-art wind measurements, especially of kilometric-scale information provided by
derived wind measurements could already help thanks to the support of the GIS BreTel.
limited for strongest events. To make Sentinel-1 SAR data”. They thus recommend
meteorological forecasters to better estimate
the most of Sentinel-1 potential for the that “these data are made available to help Romain Husson 1, Alexis Mouche 2, Nicolas
hurricane intensities in complex situations
measurement of extreme winds, a dedicated monitor critical aspects of the TC structure Bellec 3 and Philippe Monbet 4
and improve the accuracy of weather forecast
campaign named SHOC (for Satellite Hurricane (wind radii, maximum wind, eye diameter…).”
warnings. Forecasters from the RSMC, the 1. CLS Brest, France | 2. IFREMER, France
Observation Campaign) was performed in Wind maps will be produced by CLS Brest Tropical Cyclone Center of Meteo-France at La 3. GIS BreTel, France | 4. Pôle Mer Bretagne
summer 2016. An unprecedent acquisition with Sentinel-1 and Radarsat-2 SAR Reunion are potential users. Atlantique-Booster MoreSpace, France
scenario was set up to trigger acquisitions instruments and distributed in near-real Email: rhusson@cls.fr
A VIEW OF YOUR INLAND
WATERWAYS FROM SPACE
A European innovation project
“ The issue was that monitoring
costs were old fashioned, labour
intensive and data not digital.
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
EOMORES services. The waterways under

aiming to develop commercial This needed to change, and investigation represent a variety of different
services for monitoring the we also wanted to work in real water types and trophic levels, with most of
quality of inland and coastal time. EO contributes to all of them being (hyper)eutrophic (Italy, Lithuania,
waters, using satellites, in situ Estonia, UK, Finland and the Netherlands).
sensors and ecological modelling. these.”
Scheme of EOMORES activities in relation to users, Regional/national organizations responsible for
which represent the core of the project. water quality monitoring (13 EOMORES users) EOMORES will provide national, regional,
local, public and private water managers with
The challenge The space based solution tools for efficient monitoring of water quality
Inland waterways are environmentally Monitoring inland waterways from space water quality management, powered by Earth for operational management and for reporting
important, provide multiple ecosystem affordably has become possible thanks to Observation (EO). EO offers great advantages according to the requirements of the WFD
services and are vital for human consumption, the availability of free and open satellite data for water quality monitoring, but its operational and other (national) directives.
irrigation, sanitation, transportation, from the Copernicus Sentinels. The guarantee use has only really taken off in regions where
traditional practices are no longer able to By building downstream services upon the
recreation and industry. of long-term data availability makes it feasible Copernicus programme, EOMORES will help
to build commercial operational services, support monitoring requirements - due, for
In previous decades, these ecosystems have instance, to the large number of waterways to ensure that Europe’s investments in space
whilst the improved spatial resolution (e.g. infrastructure are exploited for the benefit of
experienced increasing pressure from various involved (e.g. in Finland).
Sentinel 2 reaches 10 m) and revisit time citizens, and in order to achieve the goals of
human activities, as well as from climate
(5-6 days for both Sentinels 1 and 2) are the WFD. Data from the Sentinel satellites,
change. Amongst these, the increasing
appropriate for discerning changes in water with their high-frequency and broad spatial
eutrophication and pollution of many of
quality in most European lakes. coverage, are an essential input to the
these aquatic environments is a major
environmental threat. Within EOMORES, data from Sentinels 2 and 3 EOMORES services. EOMORES services are
will be automatically acquired and processed expected to become a valuable tool for
The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) water managers, bringing about a better
to deliver relevant water quality parameters
has created the need for efficient methods for understanding of their local water systems
such as chlorophyll-a, Total Suspended
monitoring the quality of inland and coastal and enabling timely decisions and actions
Matter (TSM), turbidity, Coloured Dissolved
waterways. Monitoring the effect of turbidity in lake Mezzola related to public health.
Organic Matter (CDOM), vegetation coverage
EOMORES (Earth Observation-Based Services (Italy), after the rock avalanche of Piz Cengalo on
and type, cyanobacteria blooms and Water
for Monitoring and Reporting of Ecological Surface Temperature (WST). Sentinel-1 data
23-08-2017 Acknowledgements
Status) addresses this need whilst improving are also being investigated for their capacity This project has received funding from the
on the effectiveness of traditional methods to provide information on water quality EOMORES is targeted at national and regional
EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation
(i.e. on-the-spot sampling and subsequent (specifically cyanobacterial scum), even under authorities responsible for monitoring water
programme, g.a. N. 687412.
laboratory analysis). Although they are very cloud clover, as radar data can penetrate quality management and environmental
accurate, such methods are both costly and clouds and operate at night. reporting, as well as private entities M. Bresciani 1, C. Giardino 1, A. Hommersom 2
time-consuming, and in most cases fail to dealing with water quality. Thirteen users and D. Papadakis 3
capture the spatial differences which may be Benefits to Citizens from multiple regions of six countries (e.g. 1. CNR IREA, Italy
present within the same body of water. Lombardy and Umbria regions in Italy) 2. Water Insight, The Netherlands
EOMORES aims to bring about a paradigm have already committed to collaborate with
shift in ecological monitoring technologies for 3. Evenflow, Belgium
the consortium to define and evaluate the
Email: bresciani.m@irea.cnr.it
DON’T POUR MONEY DOWN
THE DRAIN - FIX IT!
Detailed knowledge about land
“ The use of EO data is becoming
mainstreamed into our long-
term strategic planning leading
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
increase through cross-sectorial and shared

subsidence from Copernicus to a more cost-efficient water use of Earth Observation data in mitigation
Sentinel-1 mission data changes sector to the financial benefit and adaptation. Corner reflectors that act as
the way the Danish utility sector unique identifiers in the satellite images have
of all citizens.”
guards its subsurface assets been locally developed and deployed.
to the financial benefit of its Lars N. Holmegaard, CEO, Lemvig Utility The reflectors link to the Danish height system
customers. and to the bottom of sewers via traditional
leveling techniques. This provides very
detailed and precise determination of height
The challenge A differential pattern of vertical land motion (red
colours indicate large subsidence rates) over the
changes over time and secures cross-sectorial
Well-functioning water supply and town of Thyborøn, Central Denmark Region. Contains use e.g. in the construction sector thereby
wastewater systems are crucial to the modified Copernicus Sentinel-1 data. making EO results applicable to the public.
utility sector and society at large for obvious Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
health, environmental, and economic reasons. Outlook to the future
Long term investments for sewer renewal shared between municipalities and utilities
The use of Copernicus Sentinel-1 for
accompany maintenance work. Additionally, regionally and nationally. Traditionally, broken
monitoring land motion provides Lemvig
climate change impacts on hydrology must sewer pipes led to costly replacements of
Utility with a very good business case
be considered when addressing future entire strings based on the assumption
in relation to pipeline maintenance and
investment needs and the municipal task of that the pipes had degraded. Now, detailed
renewal, and climate change adaptation. In
climate change adaptation. Approximately subsidence maps often provide a causal
the future, the use of EO data will become
95% of the utility sector’s financial assets explanation and pipe repairs can be targeted Corner reflector developed by DTU Space & Agency one cornerstone to secure a cost-efficient and
are subsurface, with only the customers i.e., locally to optimise maintenance work. Coupled for Data Supply and Efficiency and manufactured knowledge-driven water sector and where
citizens and industry, to pay the bill in the with information on local geology and maps of by Lemvig Utility. Reflectors serve to link height much potential is still to be unveiled in
privatized Danish water sector. Thus, it is the sewer system in a web-based service, the variations in EO data to the Danish datum network
climate change adaptation.
of the utmost importance to trim expenses Sentinel-1 based subsidence maps provide (Photo by kind permission of Mr. Karsten Vognsen).
and ensure cost-efficient businesses. Data utility employees with an on-site overview of years cannot be granted in such areas, Acknowledgements
on vertical land movement from Copernicus subsurface conditions to act upon. but investments can be targeted to avoid
Sentinel-1 is becoming a game changer in the CDR, DTU Space, VIA University, Port of
Likewise, loss of pipeline gradients may be excessive costs of replacements and repairs.
utility sector that links Earth Observation to Thyboroen, Geo, Agency for Data Supply
ascribed to local phenomena of vertical land To the Lemvig Utility the shift n operational
the ‘guys working the sewers’. and Efficiency, PPO.Labs and NORUT are
motion and not to a generally malfunctioning practices is rewarding and has already
acknowledged for contributions to the presented
system. This knowledge has led to diversion led to decreased costs for maintenance,
The space based solution collaborative work. Co-funding is kindly provided
of water flow in existing pipelines and is and the use of EO data is currently being
through the EU Life c2ccc.eu project.
Knowledge of local land subsidence rates directly incorporated into pipeline design and mainstreamed into the municipality and
made available from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 urban planning in new developments. utility’s strategic plans e.g. through training C. Sørensen1, L.N. Holmegaard2, T. Damgaard 3
data in a local cross-sectorial collaboration of local government employees. This leads 1. Danish Coastal Authority, Denmark
has led to behavioural changes with the Benefits to Citizens to a more cost-efficient water sector to the 2. Lemvig Utility, Denmark
Lemvig Municipality and the Lemvig Utility Copernicus Sentinel-1 based mapping reveals financial benefit of all citizens and businesses 3. Lemvig Municipality, Denmark
Company in the Central Denmark Region areas of vertical land motion. A normal within the Lemvig Municipality. Additionally, Emails: cas@kyst.dk, lanh@lvs-as.dk, thomas.
(CDR); and experiences are currently being life-time expectancy of sewers of 70-100 the region’s resilience to climate change will
damgaard@lemvig.dk
GLOBAL REAL TIME
ONLINE WATER QUALITY
MAPPING
“ Satellite imagery has been
essential for understanding
the limitations of our water
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY

Satellite-based water quality quality models.”
mapping is now available from The next steps currently being tested are
Márk Honti, General Directorate of Water time series graphs and data export functions
everywhere, to everyone! Sentinel-2 based suspended sediment map of Lake Management, Hungary that support user-generated local calibration
Balaton, showing dramatic differences in water based on water sample data. By enabling
transparency.
non-specialists such as schools or NGO’s to
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] zones or remote areas, globallakewatch.org
perform their own calibration, the number of
may well be the only source of up-to-date
and temperature on these datasets and lakes with regular water quality monitoring
information on water quality. The high detail
The challenge other satellite sources (Landsat, MODIS). worldwide is expected to grow rapidly. The
and frequent acquisition of the images allows
The resulting images are shown over an easy improving revisit times resulting from new
understanding of processes such as algae
Understanding hydrodynamic and ecological to use Google Maps interface. Sentinel-2 satellite launches will further increase the
blooms or sediment resuspension, and will
processes in lakes and coastal seas is essential provides high resolution imagery at lower potential of globallakewatch.org for education,
raise awareness of the importance of water
for ensuring clean drinking and bathing water repetition rates whilst Sentinel-3 imagery monitoring and management.
quality amongst the public. Specifically on
and sustainable fisheries. Satellite imagery delivers lower spatial resolution but higher
Lake Balaton, Hungary, images and maps Acknowledgements
has been used by scientists for decades to accuracy maps up to every second day. Whilst
generated by globallakewatch.org have
visualise the most important properties of these images are not calibrated against local
already been widely shared in online news Google Earth Engine is the backbone of
water: chlorophyll content, which tells us water samples, the algorithms themselves
and social media. Additionally, water quality the system and is provided by Google.
about the amount of algae and nutrients in are robust and therefore the patterns and
of many small lakes that are not regularly The development was supported by the
the water and suspended sediment, which processes observed in the imagery can be
monitored by authorities can now be Foundation for Lake Balaton Research.
informs about the transparency. However, used for monitoring.
followed by the local angling communities.
these data have only so far been available
Benefits to Citizens By boosting the availability of satellite
at selected locations and to remote sensing
water quality data, globallakewatch.org will
experts, but not to authorities or NGOs
Information on water quality used to be foster the development of locally calibrated,
interested in water quality protection and
the privilege of water authorities, whilst high accuracy water quality monitoring from
management. Citizens interested in the
spatially explicit maps were hardly ever satellite imagery in many regions worldwide.
quality or status of lakes and rivers had no
produced for the public or even for the
direct access to up-to-date maps, limiting
managers themselves. Globallakewatch.org
their awareness of and engagement with
democratises water quality data by delivering
water quality processes.
regularly updated maps free of charge to any
The space based solution user globally. This means that any internet
user concerned about the status of a certain
A recently released massive data processing András Zlinszky 1, Peter Supan 2, Marc Zobel 2
lake or coastal sea can directly access a time
platform, Google Earth Engine, allows on- and Zsófia Koma 3
series of information with a spatial and
demand access and server-side processing temporal resolution they can understand. 1. Centre for Ecological Research, Hungarian
on the full archive of Sentinel 2 and 3 Interested citizens can thus provide early Academy of Sciences, Hungary
satellites, which is regularly updated as new warnings: water quality maps can be 2. Parkour Vienna, Austria.
RGB image of ice breaking up on Lake Balaton,
images are collected. We have implemented used to identify pollution sources, inform obtained via globallakewatch.org. This image has 3. University of Amsterdam IBED,
a set of widely used simple algorithms for authorities and hold polluters responsible. been very popular in Hungarian social media. The Netherlands
mapping chlorophyll, suspended sediment, In the case of bodies of water in conflict Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] Email: Zlinszky.andras@okologia.mta.hu
INFORMING WATER
RESOURCE MANAGERS IN
SARDINIA
“ With SPACE-O water quality
forecast service we can now
be proactive and mitigate
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
table. Lessons from Mulargia allow for further

SPACE-O services provide satellite challenging water quality fine-tune decision support systems which
data and water quality forecasts threats to the benefit of our can be rolled out to a broad range of water
like weather data. The case of water users.”
operators all over the world. SPACE-O will
the Mulargia reservoir shows the keep closing the knowledge gap for informed
and sustainable water resources governance
added value of developed tools General view of Mulargia reservoir in Sardinia. Maria Antonietta Dessena,
Ente acque della Sardegna (ENAS) and optimized water services provision thanks
for water resource protection. Source: Ente acque della Sardegna (ENAS)
to the open access data from Copernicus.
The challenge The space based solution water quality parameters like algae and
turbidity for up to 10 days.
There is a growing need to monitor and In order to address these challenges, the EU
reduce the effects of pollution and climate funded SPACE-O project combines state-of Benefits to Citizens
change on our global water cycle. On the the-art satellite technology with hydrological
Based on the forecasts derived from
Italian island of Sardinia, the Mulargia dam and water quality models, integrating local
combining Earth Observation data, a set of
is one of two pilot cases where the SPACE-O knowledge and datasets so as to improve the
end-user driven functionalities have been
(www.space-o.eu) project demonstrates the information base used for decision making.
designed and translated into a Decision
value of Earth Observation technology in Indicators for water quality and quantity that
Support IT tool, including the modules:
forecasting water flows and water quality. cannot be covered in a spatial scale by ground-
Mulargia is the most important reservoir based systems are now possible to obtain 1. Environmental/water information system,
in a large and complex network comprising from Copernicus satellite missions Sentinel- supporting reservoir management Turbidity concentrations in Mulargia reservoir from
three river basins, serving as a drinking 2A/B and Landsat 8. These indicators include: specifically on short to medium term water S2. Source: EOMAP
water source for 700,000 people. Ente acque quantity and quality forecasts. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
• Chlorophyll-a, turbidity
della Sardegna (hereinafter ENAS), the local
and harmful algae blooms 2. E arly warning system, which uses modelled
multisector water network manager, is the
(forecasted) data to provide early warning Acknowledgements
public authority responsible for operational • Water surface temperature and evaporation
of threats to the water sources.
monitoring and daily planning –such as SPACE-O project has received funding from
• Floating materials (e.g. oil or scum)
informing the local drinking water supplier 3. Water treatment plant optimisation. the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research
of any changes in the raw water quantity Information from satellite images for the and Innovation Programme under Grant
and quality– as well as strategic planning. above mentioned indicators are combined Outlook to the future Agreement No 730005.
A complex system like this is threatened by with existing datasets to improve water SPACE-O is designed to be adaptive to new
a wide variety of challenges like droughts, forecasts. Models are generally as good science allowing a dynamic upgrade of the
floods, diffuse pollution and deforestation that as the data used to force those models. information fluxes that it receives. It is fully
affect water quality and demand managers Systematic analysis of satellite data was aligned with newly developed Copernicus
to constantly balance levels and swift flows used to fine-tune models by complementing services and will provide products on a
where needed to guarantee local supply. missing measurements. ECMWF forecasting long-term time basis, assuring the future
Timely and detailed information is crucial and coupled hydrological, hydrodynamic and sustainability of the service. As demonstrated Carolina Patricia Latorre Aravena; Hanno Fuhren;
to the efficiency of treatment processes, ecological modelling together with near real- in Sardinia, space-based monitoring Apostolos Tzimas and Evangelos Romas
strategic planning and emergency responses time data from automated image analysis, technology is greatly appreciated by water IWA, London, United Kingdom
but often challenges local capacities. allow for forecasting of river flows and critical managers and brings valuable tools to the Email: Carolina.Latorre@iwahq.org
MONITORING
GROUNDWATER
FLOODING IN IRELAND
“ Sentinel 1 data has
transformed the way we
monitor groundwater flooding
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
Critical flood data can now be gathered

USING SENTINEL-1 SAR in Ireland. It provides on a scale that was previously thought
The winter of 2015/2016 saw a practical method to monitor unachievable, and provided to relevant
unprecedented groundwater regional authorities and local communities
a complex problem.” in a timely manner. Flood maps derived
flooding across western Ireland.
from Sentinel-1 imagery also aid in regional
Sentinel-1 SAR was used to map Koen Verbruggen, Geological Survey Ireland
planning and development and limiting future
regional flooding. Groundwater flooding in County Galway, Western flood vulnerability.
Ireland, 2016. dramatically in the last decade, driven in part
The challenge used imagery from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 by the introduction of the EU Floods Directive, Outlook to the future
mission to map the extent of the 2015/2016 but also by two major groundwater flood
Mapping how floodwaters develop and recede events in 2009 and 2016. Our intention is to incorporate near real-time
extreme flood event, which would otherwise
accurately and on a large spatial scale is Sentinel-1 SAR imagery into an operational
not have been possible by conventional Remedying this lack of monitoring poses
critical for flood risk management. However, groundwater flood forecasting scheme that
means. significant technical challenges. In Ireland,
this posed a major challenge to regional will benefit those at risk of flooding. The
authorities across the western region of An additional benefit of Sentinel-1 is the groundwater flooding occurs in isolated continued work of the Copernicus programme
Ireland following the extensive groundwater frequency of image capture; the satellites basins across the landscape. The large is essential to achieve this goal. This will give
floods of 2015/2016. Little or no hydrometric have been collecting imagery over Ireland number and wide distribution of these local authorities and vulnerable communities
data was recorded during the flood event. at a 3-4 day revisit time since late 2014. basins makes them impractical to monitor valuable time before impending floods to
Earth Observation imagery collected by the Whilst this revisit time may be inadequate using traditional field instrumentation. The mitigate damage o property and disturbance
EU Copernicus Programme provided a solution for observing flash floods, which appear availability of Copernicus EO data represents to economic activity.
to this otherwise insurmountable problem. and dissipate within hours, it is suitable a practical and cost-effective alternative.
for monitoring groundwater flooding which Acknowledgements
The space based solution occurs at a much slower rate. This work was supported by the Geological
Earth Observation satellites represent a Groundwater floods typically appear and Survey of Ireland and the University of
growing data source for environmental recede over a timescale of weeks to months. Dublin Trinity College. The authors would
monitoring. The Synthetic Aperture Radar The considerable catalogue of Sentinel-1 also like to thank the Office of Public Works,
(SAR) capability of the Sentinel-1 constellation imagery available has allowed us to track Environmental Protection Agency, National
is particularly valuable because of its ability groundwater flood development through time, Parks and Wildlife Service and County Councils
to detect differences in land cover and increasing our understanding of this complex of Roscommon, Galway, Longford and Mayo
provide an all-weather, day-and-night supply flood form and help identify vulnerable areas for their on-going assistance and support.
of imagery. and communities.
SAR systems emit radar pulses and record the
return signal at the satellite. Flat surfaces such
as water operate as specular reflectors for the Groundwater flooding was not traditionally
Owen Naughton1,2, Ted McCormack2, Rebecca
radar pulses, giving a clear contrast between recognised as posing a significant flood risk
in Ireland, and so historically authorities
Sentinel-1 imagery of groundwater flooding in Bradford2 and James McAteer2
dry and flooded areas. This makes Sentinel-1 County Galway, Western Ireland, 2016 (flooded areas
SAR data a powerful tool for flood delineation. saw little benefit in routinely recording 1: Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
displayed in black).
groundwater flooding. Attitude has changed Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2016]
2: Geological Survey Ireland
In this context, Geological Survey Ireland Email: Owen.Naughton@gsi.ie
WATER BODIES
DETECTION ON A PORTAL
Radar Satellite Sentinel 1
“ The WhereIsWater portal has
made a significant contribution
to increasing knowledge about
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
from using our services for their specific

products for detection and water conditions and has needs. The Slovenian Environment Agency
analyses of water surfaces and helped to improve the flood uses this portal for analysing standing
flood areas in Slovenia. Users are water, lakes and for monitoring flooded karst
Slovenian Environment Agency
alert warning system.” fields, as well as for evaluating the forecast
and other professionals. Mojca Robič, hydrologist, on rivers. Based on satellite imagery, it can
WhereIsWater.at portal shows Cerknica lake, Slovenia
Slovenian Environment Agency confirm or reject the alert values of the flood
and toolbox with customized services.
warning process. It has made a significant
additional and sometimes even unexpected contribution to increasing knowledge about
The challenge satellite data from the very start and creates
information such as detected wetness which remote geographical areas.
its own archive of bodies of water. Users
GeoCodis Ltd. and ZRC SAZU, the Slovenian remains after the watering or spreading of
can search the observed data on the map Outlook to the future
Academy of Science and Arts, are working liquid manure on agriculture fields, or wetness
where all acquisitions are marked. Additional
together to provide services for receiving upon frequently watered golf courses, etc. The There are still many areas for further
functionalities help users to select data only
to-date satellite images, for the detection and most valuable applicability of the portal is development including spatial statistics of
for the specific area. More advanced users
analysis of water surfaces and flood areas, seen in the monitoring and evaluation of the water conditions, combination with ground
can create their own polygons and create
and to provide the right information for users. large flood events and observing conditions sensors and validation of flood prediction
a statistical graph with the percentage of
The main challenge of the whereiswater.at of wetlands. It is also possible to monitor the systems. We would like to extend the use
water area in the region. It can be of special
portal was using the Sentinel 1 radar data extent of water inside large hydroelectrical to other countries and to compare the
interest for flood frequency over a long-time
for detection of water bodies in Slovenia. or agricultural accumulations. Additionally, results with other similar Sentinel 1 based
period. The final interesting functionality is
We succeeded in establishing an automatic it can be used for identifying drought or dry applications. Whilst Sentinel 1 data are
the water heatmap that shows the number
processing chain by downloading raw data conditions of soil on large agricultural areas. available only every 4th to 6th day we could
of days covered by water since Sentinel 1
from the Hub, processing images in several Until now, whereiswater.at service has only combine data with Sentinel 2 products. There
tandem became operational. It happens that
steps, storing results into a database and covered Slovenia and some nearby areas but are still windows of opportunity to improve
some of the results are wrongly classified
delivering it to a web-based application. can be extended to other areas where regular the accuracy of the provided data. The mobile
and therefore we establish the possibility
The main aim of the system is monitoring water monitoring is not established. Various app is also under development and should be
to mark these data and exclude them form
of bodies of water in Slovenia, providing professionals can derive huge advantages available in the near future.
the further analyses. However, these data
historical statistics and supporting water
could be valuable for other purposes, e.g. Acknowledgements
related environment monitoring. The initial
for monitoring wet snow conditions in the
goal of the system was to create an additional We would like to express our gratitude to
mountains or to detect other water related
independent source for flood prediction everybody who was involved in making
phenomena, like watering golf courses or
monitoring at Slovenian Environment Agency. WhereIsWater service operational.
football pitches.
Sentinel 1 data are fully compliant for the
The portal is fully operational and is
detection of bodies of water but need to Matjaž Ivačič 1 and Žiga Kokajl 2
consulted as an information source for water
be carefully analysed and combined with 1. GeoCodis, Kranj, Slovenia
specialists and for the general public. Besides
precise terrain data and with samples of 2. ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana, Slovenia
the regional overview of present and past Heatmap of intermittent Lake Cerknica, southern part
existing bodies of water on the surface. Email: matjaz.ivacic@geocodis.si,
conditions of bodies of water, it also provides of Slovenia, from autumn 2014 – beginning of 2018.
Whereiswater.at portal stores and analyses ziga.kokalj@zrc-sazu.si
HOW COPERNICUS
SUPPORTS THE ENERGY
TRANSITION
“ This Copernicus-based model
helps decision makers and
experts to enforce the energy
CLIMATE, WATER
AND ENERGY
Hence, the energy transition can be planned

COP4EE uses Copernicus data to transition. The possibility of in direct response to the local energy demand,
determine the potential of areas creating scenarios is used to on sites with most efficient energy output
for the different renewable energy find the optimal solution for and in an ecologically sustainable manner.
sources and supports regional Spatial planning of the energy transition is
administrations in defining energy the individual region.” thus possible, whilst preserving the regional
Copernicus helps finding most suitable areas for an diversity of the landscape with direct benefits
transition targets. efficient and ecological production of renewables. Achim Hill, for citizens.
Photo: RSS GmbH Energy Agency of the Region Trier
The challenge determined. Regionally adapted scenarios can Outlook to the future
be computed to address regionally defined The unique character of this space-based
Energy transition is governed at European The energy transition is a major challenge
energy transition targets. Since Copernicus is solution is that it considers ecological and
and national scale, leading to laws and for the European Union. Its territorial
providing optical multispectral satellite data economical aspects of renewable energy
regulations such as the German EEG or the implementation is having more and more
(Sentinel-2) as well as cloud-penetrating SAR production. For example, factors such as
French LTECV. The implementation of the impact on regional development. The COP4EE
(Synthetic Aperture Radar) data (Sentinel-1), distance from biogas plants (regarding
energy transition in response to these acts approach has so far been established in the
both with short revisit cycles, the transport costs and GHG emissions) and
is taking place on a regional scale. Regional region of Trier and Bitburg-Prüm in Germany,
development of renewable energy sources pollinator-friendly crop cycles are taken into
administrations define their own targets but with the fully operational Sentinels and
over time can be monitored at high spatial account when assessing the potential for
adapted to the local demands and potentials. with modern IT infrastructure for big data
resolution. This includes the estimation of bioenergy crop production.
Regional administrations are often not aware processing, it is possible to scale up the
the biomass development of energy crops as The spatial model is an innovative planning approach to the EU territory. The Copernicus
of the full potential and limitations of their
well as the monitoring of the implementation tool for regional decision makers and public programme, with its long-term provision of
spatial units regarding the production of
of the energy transition. For the first time, authorities, such as governing mayors who free EO data and the upcoming Copernicus
renewable energies. Earth Observation (EO)
this space-based solution allows evidence are directly involved in the development. Data and Information Access Services (DIAS),
is therefore used by COP4EE to determine
based spatial decision support to be provided is therefore fundamental.
the potential of areas for wind power plants,
for the renewable energy sector, a key sector
photovoltaic plants, district heating or the
reflected in the Paris Agreement. Acknowledgements
production of biomass (www.geo-way.de).
Benefits to Citizens COP4EE is funded by the Federal Ministry for
The space based solution Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) via the
The expansion of renewable energies is driven Space Administration of the DLR.
Open access Copernicus data, particularly
by regulations and financial incentives such as
the high-resolution Sentinel satellite data,
subsidies. In some regions, this often led to J. Franke1, R. Lessing & M. Hampel 2, C.
allow for continuous monitoring of land
a spatially unplanned expansion independent Konetschny & T. Schmid 3, S. Richter 4 and
use, crop type cultivation and the use of
from the actual potential of an area for the Achim Hill5
permanent grassland. By combining these
production of renewable energies. 1. RSS GmbH, Germany
data with digital elevation models, climate
data and other existing spatial information Negative land use-related side effects have 2. DELPHI IMM GmbH, Germany
(e.g. soil data, Natura 2000 sites, other been observed such as intensification of 3. FfE e.V., Germany
conservation areas, locations of power plants agricultural production, transformation of Designation of the most suitable renewable energy
4. M.O.S.S. Computer Grafik Syst. GmbH, Germany
etc.) in a spatial model, the most suitable permanent grassland to arable land or land source per area for the municipality of Prüm.
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2016] 5. Energieagentur Region Trier, Germany
renewable energy source for an area can be use competition with food crops. Email: franke@rssgmbh.de
rsity and Territorial Climate, Water Civil Protection
mental Management and Energy
on and Urban
Planning
TERRITORIAL MANAGEMENT AND URBAN PLANNING
The management of rural areas and urbanisation is key for sustainable development. In Europe,
urban areas account for over two-thirds of the population, use about 80% of the energy and
generate up to 85% of the GDP. Greener, smarter cities, rural development and infrastructures
are amongst the pillars of the EU cohesion policy. This implies a balanced approach integrating
different scales of cities and human settlements, making sure that supplies and demands
between urban and rural areas are smoothly flowing and territories are connected. Several
challenges must be faced to ensure that sustainable practices are adopted, for instance through
comprehensive soil sealing mitigation measures, regulated housing and waste management.
Urban and territorial managers globally aim at ensuring that citizens’ private and social living is
balanced, by carefully planning infrastructure and services that facilitate trade and productivity
still safeguarding the environment and social public places. Local and regional authorities have
significant responsibilities in this respect and are responsible for the successful implementation
of several EU policies influencing spatial planning.
Copernicus Sentinels and the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service can help facing these
challenges by providing disparate geospatial information regarding e.g. land use and land cover
classification, urban growth, urban green areas, urban heat islands, imperviousness, etc. Whilst
in-situ data and very high resolution data from Copernicus Contributing Missions are essential
in resolving the details of e.g. urban maps and ecological corridors, Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2
missions provide regular and consistent observations that are especially important when dealing
with wide areas and shared cross-border resources.
Berlin as seen from Sentinel-1A on November 28, 2014.

Credit: Copernicus Sentinel data (2014), Processed by ESA
CHANGE DETECTION ANALYSIS MONITOR URBAN AREAS AND Brittany Brittany
Wallonia S2 3
ON WALLOON BROWNFIELD Wallonia S2 3 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURES (Bretagne) Ille-et-Vilaine
(Wallonie)
SITES URBAN GROWTH MONITORING Alsace
Haut-Rhin S2 3/4
COPERNICUS FOR LYS BASIN Occitania Occitania WITH COPERNICUS DATA (Alsace)
S1 4
WATER MANAGEMENT (Occitanie) Hauts de France
Community Sentinel-3; CLMS: Copernicus Land Monitoring Service.
DIOGNASING THE BURJASSOT of Valencia Community
S2 3 ** The Usage Maturity Level assigned to each story has been self-assessed by the Authors. Values range from 1
URBAN DRAINAGE SYSTEM (Comunidad of Valencia
Valenciana) (Explorer) to 5 (Operational User). For the definition, please refer to Fig. 3 in p. 26.
ENABLING PERIODIC Region of affiliation of the lead Author and Main region of application of the User Story as declared
DOWNSTREAM SERVICES Lombardy by the Authors.
Lombardy S1, S2 1
VIA USER-FRIENDLY DATA (Lombardia)
GRABBING
LOCAL COPERNICUS Brittany
Brittany S2 1
DEMONSTRATOR IN BRITTANY (Bretagne)
A PLATFORM FOR MAPPING
Reunion
TERRITORIES BY SATELLITE Madagaskar S2 3
(Ile de la Réunion)
IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
MEASURES OF SURFACE
Catalonia
MOVEMENTS IN CATALONIA Catalonia S1 4
(Catalunya)
USING SENTINEL-1
STORYTELLING TOOL FOR A Andalusia
Castilla La Mancha S2, S3 2
FOREST FIRE IN YESTE (Andalucia)
COPERNICUS DATA
USED TO UNDERSTAND Lombardy 5
Lombardy S2
LANDSCAPE HISTORICAL (Lombardia) 2/3
TRANSFORMATIONS
COPERNICUS HELPS PRAGUE
Prague
TO PLAN THE CITY OF THE Prague CLMS 3
(Praha)
FUTURE
EO FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN Wallonia
Wallonia CLMS, S1, S2 3
PLANNING (Wallonie)
MODELING AND FORECASTING Brussels
Dakar
URBAN POPULATION (Région de S1, S2 2
Ouagadougou
PATTERNS Bruxelles Capitale)
CHANGE DETECTION
“ This application, based on TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
ANALYSIS ON WALLOON Sentinel data, will save time URBAN PLANNING
BROWNFIELD SITES and reduce the costs of
these areas will contribute to job creation and
Change detection analysis updating brownfield inventory.” new developments of residential, industrial
based on Sentinel-2 data in Christophe Rasumny,
or recreational areas.
order to update the inventory DGO4, Public Service of Wallonia, Belgium Outlook to the future
and quantitatively assess the
evolution of brownfield sites By exploiting the revisit time of Sentinel-2
Urban renovation in Seraing (West of Liège, Wallonia). All residents settled in the surroundings
in time and space. data, this decision-making tool supports the
Former colliery site reconverted into commercial and of brownfields deserve a qualitative
service area. (Source : Walonmap – SPW) public administration for a more efficient
environment.
and rapid updating of the inventory of the
The challenge conversion of land to recreational areas such
Previously abandoned sites could then be brownfields. However, developing a fully
as parks. Thanks to their high resolution
After the successive industrial restructuring brought back to beneficial use by pushing automated change detection process remains
multispectral data, Sentinel-2 satellites are
of the 70s and 80s, Wallonia has inherited local entrepreneurship spirit by highlighting challenging as photo-interpretation, i.e.
of great interest to apply radiometric change
numerous derelict and underused sites. In the regional remarkable heritage. The expert knowledge, still plays an important
detection methods on brownfield sites. They
2006, the European Commission required that rehabilitation of brownfields also enables role in the current tool. An initial outlook then
enable fine intra- and inter-annual change
each member state establish an inventory urban sprawl within agricultural lands to consists in developing automatic steps to
detection analysis.
of these sites, known as brownfields. The be limited. Limiting regional soil sealing improve and accelerate the visual processes.
Walloon inventory includes sites of economic The methodology uses a variety of spectral reduces the risks of flash floods. Moreover,
Secondly, we will develop more complex /
and non-economic activities that have been indices for detecting change in vegetation and
composite indices, namely, those based on
abandoned, both polluted and unpolluted. other land covers. Indices are mathematical
satellite time-series analysis, to enhance
It lists more than 2,000 sites previously expressions combining different spectral
change detection accuracy. Testing Sentinel-1
dedicated to economic activity ranging from bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. For
data can overcome the issues of cloud cover
post offices to heavy steel industries. Due instance, they quantify the strength and the
on Wallonia.
to its time-consuming nature and expansive vitality of the vegetation (e.g. the Normalized
cost, public authorities were looking for a Difference Vegetation Index - NDVI) or the In addition, the EO based method could
new solution for the inventory. This solution brightness of soils (e.g. the Brightness Index study a further detection of non-inventoried
would enable (1) frequent updating of the - BI) which is highly correlated with soil brownfields in order to increase the
inventory and (2) prioritisation of the sites for moisture and sealed surface materials (e.g. completeness of the inventory.
urban redevelopment projects. roads, parking areas or roofs). Spectral indices
help to identify areas of changes, to qualify Acknowledgements
The space based solution types of changes and, finally, to quantify their This project is funded by a grant from the
The developed decision-making tool uses extension. Operational Development Directorate (DGO4
Sentinel-2 data in combination with aerial Benefits to Citizens Old manufacturing industries being rehabilitated. – SPW, Wallonia).
orthophotos, LiDAR (light detection and The total destruction of buildings is well identified by
ranging) and Pleiades data. The integration The identification of brownfields represents the spectral indices.
a valuable opportunity and an important Sources : Walonmap - SPW Credit: Contains modified
of these Earth Observation (EO) data with Copernicus Sentinel data [2015-2016] E. Hallot1, B. Beaumont1, O. Close1, C. Collart1,
expert knowledge helps to detect and label potential for Wallonia. Indeed, some derelict and N. Stephenne2
the changes related to the rehabilitation of sites have negative impacts the environment brownfields of Wallonia are generally located
1. ISSeP, Belgium
the inventoried sites. These include building (visual impact, symbol of economic and social in urban area and are thus well connected to
2. SPW, Belgium
demolition, renovation, new build and also difficulties, environmental and health risks...). public transport facilities. The regeneration of
Email: e.hallot@issep.be
COPERNICUS FOR
“ These maps provide us with TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
LYS BASIN WATER reliable data on rural areas, URBAN PLANNING
MANAGEMENT which in time will allow us to
Satellite-based maps are guidance documents
The June 2016 satellite images focus the manpower to help to point out some areas to work with to
acquired over Northern France with crisis management and reduce damages and the number of persons
flooding provide unprecedented feedback.”
exposed. Symsagel uses this result as a
information concerning the Lys starting point for scientific exchanges about
hydraulics mechanisms involved during floods
basin, its hydraulic mechanisms Sarah Duverney,
Flood Plan Project Manager, Symsagel and causing damages.
and actions to be implemented.
Sentinel-1A image acquired on Lys Basin Outlook to the future
The challenge on 4 June 2016. complementary investigations to confirm or
In the Lys Basin, agricultural drainage is singled
not their sensitivity to local practices.
The Lys basin in the North of France has had occurred in Northern France. Over the Lys out as a contributing factor to flooding. Cerema
to cope with an increasing number of flood Basin, very high precipitations occurred Benefits to Citizens and SERTIT (Regional Service of Remote
phenomena over the last few years. With between 30 and 31 May 2016 causing rapid sensing and Image Processing, operator of the
Terrain surveys are performed during a crisis
180,000 persons exposed the Mixed Water flooding of the Lys River and its tributaries, Copernicus Emergency Management Service),
but provide punctual information in time (in
Management Syndicate of the Lys Basin followed on the 6 and 7 of June 2016 by a will work together with Symsagel in order to
general during the crisis) and on few selected
(Symsagel) needs knowledge concerning second less intense rainfall episode, which exploit the results of space image analyses
geographical areas (in general urban areas or
these events to implement its Local Strategy also raised the water level, flooding the plain to enrich the hydraulic knowledge of the Lys
few selected streams). Lots of other areas are
for Flood Risk Management (SLGRI) in (favoured by soil saturation) causing over plain and assess the impact of agricultural
generally not monitored. Space data is one
relation to the European Floods Directive. 27,000.000 euro of direct damage. Three drainage on floods. Symsagel will exploit this
of the unique tools used to cover the whole
Copernicus images covered the Lys Basin: information to add actions at the halfway
Terrain surveys are practised during events Lys Basin and provide such information with
Sentinel-1A images acquired on 31 May, and stage of its flood prevention plan.
but only punctually (in time and space) and repetitivity during and after the crisis. The
essentially on urban areas. Rural areas are only 4 and 7 June; a Landsat-8 image acquired on images taken three days later raised the
9 June completing the dataset. Those images
Acknowledgements
poorly or not monitored at all whereas they question of knowing how long it takes for
strongly contribute to hydraulics mechanisms covered the entire basin. water to recede. Thanks to the Copernicus programme for the
potentially responsible for increasing images acquired and for putting them at our
Cerema (a French Public Establishment with
impacts. Large-scale data is necessary to disposal for the study.
a Department in charge of Space applications
cover this fairly large basin (1800 km²) and for public policies), extracted information on
river segment at a length of 195 km. Cloud flooded areas from those images. Christelle Bosc 1, Lucie Chadourne-Facon 1,
cover in this territory often prevents aerial Sarah Duverney 2, Stéphanie Battiston 3 and
The maps produced presenting satellite-
acquisitions during flood events. Alternative
based analysis report all observed flooded Stephen Claudillon 3
solutions are necessary to obtain information
areas of the basin, a result which has never 1. Cerema, France
at the basin scale to understand hydraulic
been produced at this scale in this area. This 2. SYSMAGEL, France
mechanisms and propose planning actions in
exhaustivity placed emphasis on unexpected 3. I-CUBE Sertit, France
the context of PAPI (Action Plan and Flood Map of flooded areas extracted from satellite images
flooded areas out of the “potential flooded Email: Christelle.bosc@cerema.fr
Prevention), part of the SLGRI. (Sentinel-1A and Landsat-8) acquired during Lys
area”. This large-scale analysis enabled the lucie.chadourne-facon@cerema.fr
floods. Lys Plain, Sally-sur-la-Lys area, Hauts de
The space based solution most exposed areas of flooding (overflow France, France. Sarah.duverney@sage-lys.net
runoff or rising water) to be targeted and
In May-June 2016, a large-scale flood event s.battiston@unistra.fr
where it would be appropriate to carry out
s.clandillon@unistra.fr
DIAGNOSING THE
“ The proposals from the study TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
BURJASSOT URBAN on the Burjassot drainage URBAN PLANNING
DRAINAGE SYSTEM system are absolutely necessary
on critical identified areas will increase the
Sentinel-2B data is being used to avoid urban floods that our citizens’ quality of life thus favouring routine
by the Climatology from Satellites town undergoes quite often.” displacements during risk events and reducing
Group to diagnose the current restoring costs after them. Water reuse will
Local Office for Sustainability, also be encouraged when channelled to green
situation of the Burjassot Burjassot Town Hall zones, thus reducing costs in irrigation waters.
Municipality drainage system.
Resolution Imperviousness product, by
evaluating 100 points that generate a Outlook to the future
Natural colour RGB (bands 4, 3, 2) image of confusion matrix, together with the overall The GCS has developed an innovative
The challenge Burjassot Municipality (Sentinel-2B EMS Copernicus accuracy (OA), producer’s accuracy (PA) and approach to be implemented into a pilot
Service, 17 Dec 2017, 10-m spatial resolution) user’s accuracy (UA).
Climathon is a global 24-hour Climate study to assist in future municipal water
Change Hackaton, organised by EIT Climate needed to be able to identify and estimate the management issues consisting of a holistic
KIC, that takes place each year in different impervious surface areas (ISA) and propose methodology that puts together Copernicus
cities all over the world. The University adequate solutions to make them more EO data, a refined 3D digital elevation model
of Valencia Climatology from Satellites sustainable and “flood resilient” through the and a statistic analysis of meteorological
Group (GCS), Valencia, Spain, organised the development of green/blue infrastructures, data. All this information is then inputted
Burjassot Climathon 2017, focusing on Earth permeable pavements, filter strips, etc. into an urban runoff model that will simulate
Observation in Support of a Sustainable Water Copernicus Sentinel-2 MSI (MultiSpectral different SDUS scenarios and help in the
Resources Management using Copernicus Imager) data are suitable for understanding decision-making process.
data. Burjassot Climathon 2017. It provided the current situation of Burjassot. The figure
a clear idea to propose and hopefully achieve below shows a supervised nearest-neighbour Acknowledgements
a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) land use classification of the Burjassot The authors wish to express their gratitude
for Burjassot municipality. Burjassot is a Municipality using data from Copernicus to Ms Lluna Arias and her Team, D. Gomez
small city close to Valencia where more Sentinel-2B MSI. Preprocessing begins with and M.C. Exposito, at the Burjassot Town
than 70% of precipitation is concentrated in the combination of Maximum Noise Fraction Burjassot Municipality land uses (Sentinel-2B EMS
Hall Environment Department. They also
±10 days per year, given the variability and (MNF) and Principal Components Analysis Copernicus Service, 17h Dec 2017, 10-m spatial
acknowledge the financial support from the
resolution).
distribution of the rain is extremely irregular. (PCA) to reduce the spectral dimensionality and Climate KIC Education InnoSpace Project to
Besides, the orography and topography of the selecting the bands with more information. carry out the Copernicus Climathon Burjassot
city and the massive urban growth with the Then, Pixel Purity Index (PPI) is applied to Benefits to Citizens
2017, as well as Climate KIC Spain.
so-called “hard infrastructures” have caused identify three extreme endmembers: high As a consequence of the Burjassot Climathon
a significant regression of green areas, also albedo (bright ISA and bare soil), low albedo 2017, the GCS is now closely collaborating
triggering the occurrence of periodic issues (dark ISA, water, wet areas and shadows) and with the Burjassot City Hall in some of their E. Lopez-Baeza1, E. Albero-Peralta1, C. Rivero
of flooded streets, unusable infrastructure vegetation. Classifiers are applied to group significant water management issues. They Moro1, D. Catalán Alcober1, T. Baur2 and R.
during and after the events and material and both ISA classes (bright and dark) and define jointly produced the Urban Adaptation to Bansal3,
non-material damages. the sealed zones. This process is carried out Climate Change report, which consists of a 1. Climatology from Satellites Group,
with several images throughout the year to diagnostic study with a detailed work plan to University of Valencia, Spain
The space based solution verify changes. Once the final classification is carry out an evaluation and implementation 2. EU EIP Water Secretariat
In order to improve the drainage system, established, it is compared to high resolution project based on Copernicus Sentinel data
3. EIT Climate KIC Education
accurate knowledge of the current land uses is images as well as to the Copernicus High and products. Implementation measures
Email: Ernesto.Lopez@uv.es
ENABLING PERIODIC
“ Change the vision that citizens TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
DOWNSTREAM SERVICES have of remote sensing, by URBAN PLANNING
VIA USER-FRIENDLY DATA making it less remote and
providing the flood status of rice fields,
GRABBING more sensitive.” eventually improving the economy of rural
GeoGrabber is a desktop tool areas by empowering the citizens with data
GeoGrabber’s graphic interface. Through a CNR IREA and CNR IDPA tailored to their specific needs. Concerning
for non-experts, periodically
user-friendly environment, it enables any user to existing alternatives, it can feasibly help to
downloading and processing data implement customised down-stream services of save on costs and make monitoring processes
from Sentinel sources. Sentinel data. background, with no need for further user
– currently mainly based on surveys – more
intervention, and periodically downloads and
proposal for developing an easy-to-use abling efficient. The exploitation of remote-sensing-
processes the desired Sentinel data from
desktop tool of downstream services that can derived information for the discovery of
either S1 or S2, scheduling periodic tasks.
The challenge be customised by non-experts to periodically possible anomaly-affected areas can drive
generate a variety of remote sensing products. in situ survey directly where needed and
Ever since EO Copernicus Sentinel missions
This is possible through transparent and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the
became operational, we have entered a
periodic querying Sentinel sources through administrative procedures by saving on costs.
new age of possibilities, an age of open
development of downstream services at low SciHub APIs and by providing facilities for
cost for the most diverse application fields, the integrated client-side auto-computation
such as environmental monitoring, climate of indicators on the downloaded data, the GeoGrabber is an open software in its early
change, anomaly detection and emergency periodic feature being an original aspect with release, funded by STRESS project (started in
prevention, preparedness and management. respect to other ESA DIAS such as Sentinel May 2017). It will be extended with other
Playground or even Google Earth Engine. features, such as the computation of different
Nevertheless, the feasibility of implementing products and the downloading of Sentinel data
a downstream service by directly using the To this end, a multidisciplinary team has been
Map showing rice fields flood status (processed from other sources, as they become operational.
currently available facilities offered by ESA working, together with end users, on the
through fuzzy reasoning applying OWA) on a
SciHub and tools such as SNAP still require definition of requirements and architecture Sentinel-2A image. Downloaded and automatically Acknowledgements
the engagement of remote sensing experts. of GeoGrabber, a user-centred desktop tool. processed by GeoGrabber.
From querying the sources, to evaluating and Running on common computers, it offers STRESS project, #2016-0766, funded by
downloading the images, and – last but not simple user interaction schemes, mainly Cariplo, “Bando Fondazione Rst - Ricerca
Benefits to Citizens dedicata al dissesto idrogeologico 2016”
least – to processing those images in order based on selecting facilities by means of a
to generate semantic products, an expert user-experience-designed interface. It lets Since GeoGrabber runs on a common PC with and SIMULATOR-ADS project, #137287, co-
figure is required. This statement of facts the user define a Region Of Interest (ROI) by a Java Virtual Machine and an R interpreter, it funded by Regione Lombardia & FESR “Linea
is an obstacle to the widespread diffusion specifying a toponym, a bounding box, or a can be easily installed, and at little expense R&S per Aggregazioni”.
of remote sensing technologies amongst vector file. Over the selected ROI, the user can – thus, being affordable for the budget of
civil society. Public administrations tend to choose one or more products he/she wants any public administration. Its design is
regard this technology as too complex and to generate (i.e. flooded areas, wildfires, such that any non-expert from public local
vegetation vigor indicators), selecting them authorities could use it to check the status A. Ceresi1, A. Goffi1, L. Ranghetti1, L. Busetto1,
expensive, eventually ignoring it and hosting
a gap between available data and territorial from the menu, possibly specifying the of the environment in the municipality, D. Stroppiana1, G. Bordogna1, M. Boschetti1,
challenges. sensing date of the source data, the tolerance monitoring burned or flooded areas in case P.A. Brivio1, M. Pepe1, M. Antoninetti1 and
on the cloud coverage, and the option for the of natural disasters and filling the “handling S. Sterlacchini2
The space based solution roduct to be generated periodically, at each gap” between data and their full exploitation. 1. CNR IREA, Milano, Italy
sensor revisiting time. In this last case, once Moreover, local authorities could use it to 2. CNR IDPA, Milano, Italy
The reasons outlined above motivate our
activated, the task runs automatically in the monitor crop growth and help local farmers, Email: ceresi.a@irea.cnr.it
LOCAL COPERNICUS
“ Many public authorities still TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
DEMONSTRATOR IN have rather low expectations URBAN PLANNING
BRITTANY for space applications because
- For mutual needs, to share the costs and
A working group to democratize of a fast-moving landscape. reduce risks when setting up operational
data and services from They ask for a place to discuss services or joint pilot projects;
Copernicus and make Brittany use cases at their own pace, -T
o be more than just consumers of data/
a territory for experimentation products/services, to take part in their
using their business vocabulary
and demonstration of space First meeting of the working group across 5 cities elaboration, and thus to be a voice alongside
applications. (Brest, Lannion, Lorient, Rennes, Vannes). in order to build their own other communities of space authorities.
strategy that will combine
The challenge be integrated with other data. remote sensing with their daily
The aim is to propose a regional variation of
Since 2015, the French Regions have been The originality of the initiative lies in the joint applications.” Copernicus for regional managers, which will
given additional responsibilities and must construction of demonstrators: a working
be both a data platform, providing products
establish a regional planning and sustainable group was set up within the GeoBretagne Fabrice PHUNG (GeoBretagne)
and services and a place for experimentation.
development scheme. Thus, to be fully partnership, the Remote Sensing working
This will give the end-users’ community more
informed about their territory and to efficiently group. It is currently made up of about
ownership over these new tools and will
manage its planning, local authorities need twenty volunteers (territory managers,
contribute to a favourable environment for
data, knowledge and tools. At the same time, service managers, geomaticians) and led
the use of Copernicus data and products, and
earth observation data, including Copernicus by GIS BreTel. The group aims at sharing
more generally space applications in Brittany.
and Sentinel data, remains underutilized: knowledge and experiences, as well as co-
its use has so far been limited to specific designing space based services that respond Acknowledgements
projects, without real regional coordination. to end-users needs. The first meeting of the
Local public authorities using geolocation data Remote Sensing working group took place in Project officers of GeoBretagne: Fabrice
are aware of this potential and would like to January 2018 across 5 cities, and led to the PHUNG and Stéphane MEVEL-VIANNAY
take advantage of this dynamic. This results proposal of an action plan. Head of territorial development department,
in two challenges for users: to integrate earth An example of a demonstrator on GeoBretagne Brittany Region: Jonathan MORICE
observation data, tools and techniques with Benefits to Citizens showing Copernicus product (imperviousness)
compare to local land-use. All people involved in the working group and
their commonly used data and tools; and, The working group operates at two levels. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2015] in the partership GeoBretagne.
more generally, to become active agents of The first is data and services dedicated to
these technological and technical evolutions. end-users access, providing them: The second level relates to users’ ownership,
allowing them:
The space based solution -R
eliable and regularly updated data/
indicators/products with homogeneous - To have a resource and exchange centre to
The space based solution consists in proposing acquisition methods for the region and share experiences and practices, be they
operational demonstrators available on the consistent with the INSPIRE directive; successes or disappointments that are also
Breton geographic data sharing platform M. Jagaille 1, N. Bellec 1, J. Morice 2 and F.
instructive;
“GeoBretagne” that has already been used by -D
emonstration space to get to know and Phung 3
a large community of territorial managers for make known the space based solutions to - To join a network of users, remote sensing 1. GIS BreTeL,France
10 years. Data and products resulting from their little-aware pairs. experts and support structures (in Brittany 2. Région Bretagne, France
Copernicus Programme and space applications, or in national and European networks); 3. GéoBretagne, France
previously unexploited in this platform, would Email: marie.jagaille@imt-atlantique.fr
A PLATFORM FOR MAPPING
“ The free access to satellite TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
TERRITORIES BY SATELLITE imagery through the URBAN PLANNING
IN THE INDIAN OCEAN Copernicus programme and the
(frequency at least once a year) are essential
Led by the Regional Council, development of free and open for the strategic management of territories
the programme CACAOS aims remote sensing processing but also for monitoring and control of public
to develop an infrastructure tools are opening up new policies. This map was used by the Regional
for obtaining a reliable, shared Council of Diana of Madagascar to update the
perspectives in territorial regional land use and development plan.
and up-to-date cartographic
database. mapping.” Outlook to the future
Jean-Désiré Rajaonarison National Geographic A capacity building and skills transfer approach
The challenge and Hydrographic Institute of Madagascar is planned with local authorities to avoid
The use and benefit of land-use data any digital divide and democratise access
in Geographic Information Systems is to spatial information from the Copernicus
complicated by: often limited coverage; programme. In addition to the tool itself,
random updating; geographical incompatibility Land-use maps of the north of Madagascar produced the CACAOS programme aims to develop
from CACAOS in 2017. a strategic partnership with technical and
of data due to the different repositories used;
and non-compatible typology that does not financial operators, government departments,
allow a temporal spatial comparison of the Biosphere from Space (CESBIO). A first pilot Non-Governmental Organisations, research
classes. In addition, producers of this data phase was carried out on the Diana region organisations,... to make it a shared technical
sometimes restrict access to it, thus limiting in Madagascar (20,000 km²) during the first reference platform for sustainable development
its valorisation. The European Copernicus half of 2017 in partnership with the Regional first in Madagascar, and then to extend it
programme offers a new perspective for Council of Diana and the National Geographic to other countries. The Regional Council of
producing reliable, shared and up-to-date and Hydrographic Institute of Madagascar Reunion is thus planning to develop a remote
land use maps of the Indian Ocean territories (FTM) with co-financing from the French State sensing resource centre in Reunion Island.
from Sentinel-2 images and remote sensing. and the Regional Council of Reunion. This Land-use maps on a scale of 1:50 000 produced
With a high spatial resolution (10m) and area was mapped into 13 different land use from CACAOS. Acknowledgements
high temporal repetitively (one image every 5 classes at a scale of 1:50,000 to 1:100,000. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
This programme is the result of a collaboration
days), this data is very useful for monitoring The processing of spatial data initially requires km²) in order to produce a complete land cover between the Regional Council of Reunion, the
land with great responsiveness. the collection of referenced data. All data over the country in 2017. National Geographic and Hydrographic Institute
were processed at the Regional Council’s of Madagascar, the Regional Council of Diana of
The space based solution data processing centre on Reunion Island Benefits to Citizens Madagascar with the financial contribution of
The CACAOS programme led by the Regional within the SEAS-OI station (Survey of the the French Development Agency, the French
The CACAOS programme allows free and open
Council of Reunion allows for computer- Environment Assisted by Satellite in the Indian State and the Regional Council of Reunion.
distribution of land use mapping products.
assisted processing of Sentinel-2 satellite Ocean). This mapping allows the delimitation
These data make it possible to manage various
images from the Copernicus programme over of different kinds of forest (primary, degraded, P. Tessier 1, S. Guyard 1, M. Belus 1,
problems at regional and sub-regional scales:
large territories to obtain land use maps. The mangrove,…) and the urban areas. The second J. D. Rajaonarison 2 and F. Harimanjato 2
environment (protected area, natural risks, etc.),
CACAOS chain is based on free software (MAJA, phase in progress co-financed by the French 1. Regional Council of Reunion, France
agricultural and urban areas. In Madagascar,
IOTA²) developed by the French National Development Agency (AFD) and the Regional
land use mapping is essential to establish 2. National Geographic and Hydrographic
Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and notably Council of Reunion aims to generalise the
a baseline survey and to monitor territorial Institute of Madagascar, Madagascar
by the Centre for the Spatial Studies of the CACAOS tool throughout Madagascar (587,000
planning documents. The land use indicators Email: pierre.tessier@cr-reunion.fr
MEASURES OF SURFACE
“ Copernicus Sentinel-1 data TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
MOVEMENTS IN allow us to transform data into URBAN PLANNING
CATALONIA information and knowledge
Stable points are shown in green. In these
USING SENTINEL-1 DATA in a cross-fertilisation action measures, which cover the entire Catalan
A complete monitoring of surface between geologist and remote territory, several areas affected by surface
movements can be distinguished.
movements at regional scale has sensing professionals.”
been implemented as a decision Sr. Jordi Marturia,
The mentioned ICGC SENTINEL 1 added
support tool on risk management. value chain has been also used in the
ICGC-Geological Prevention Risks
LIFE EBRO-ADMICLIM project (ENV / ES
/ 001182), in the Ebro Delta (Catalonia, a
set of SENTINEL-1A/B images during 2016
zone that is very vulnerable to the rise of
The challenge and 2017, corresponding to the motion in
sea level and ground subsidence. Therefore,
Surface movements can be caused by various Measurements of vertical movement (2016-2017) in the vertical direction and Line Of Sight (LOS)
the interferometric SENTINEL-1 data on the
phenomena, both anthropic and natural the entire territory of Catalonia obtained with ICGC’s respectively. A colour scale indicating the
current rates of subsidence of the Delta are of
ones, such as groundwater extraction,
PSI processing chain using SENTINEL-1A/B data. intensity of the velocity represents the points
major importance.
landslides, infrastructure construction, mining that can be measured.
With regards to SENTINEL-1A/B images, the
or tunnelling. The techniques developed by measurement points are shown on the maps Outlook to the future
the Cartographic and Geological Institute of with a spatial resolution of 20 x 20 metres. Starting from the measure corresponding to
Catalonia (ICGC) allow the measurement of The points that can be measured must be 2016, the ICGC proposes to create periodic
movements with millimetre accuracy. surface elements that do not undergo major updates, generating a historical database of
Using these techniques, the ICGC has changes during the monitoring period, and surface motion throughout the territory of
generated a map of ground motion measures are usually found with a high density in Catalonia.
for the Catalan territory, using SENTINEL- urban areas, infrastructures and zones with
1A/B radar satellites at C band throughout low vegetation. Acknowledgements
2016 and 2017. The authors would like to thank ESA and
the Copernicus Open data Hub for the official
The space based solution The different incidence angles of the satellite open data available and the associated
ICGC has created the first complete map of in the ascending and descending orbits allow software and support for the management
measures of land movement for the entire the measurement of the components of the and analysis of SENTINEL-1 imagery.
territory of Catalonia. The measurements movement corresponding to the vertical and
have been obtained from radar images of the horizontal direction (East-West).
SENTINEL-1A and B satellites on ascending This translates into a very detailed knowledge
and descending modes. These satellites of the characteristics of the motion, and this
offer a maximum 6-day image acquisition information combined with geological studies Example of measured subsidence in Cambrils urban
frequency, and the images are free to and in situ measurements, is transformed area due to periods of groundwater extraction.
download. into a great tool to evaluate the causes and During summer (2016 and 2017) groundwater is Oscar Mora, Fernando Pérez, Juan Fernando
In recent months ICGC has been developing to apply solutions, for better management extracted and subsidence accelerates (more than Marchán, Jordi Marturià and Jordi Corbera
Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) and monitoring of the territory. 3 cm accumulated in 2017). Note that surface level
Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya,
does not recover fully during the winter.
methodology for processing large quantities The images that illustrate this article show Spain
of SENTINEL-1 images. motion measurements generated with a Email: oscar.mora@icgc.cat
STORYTELLING TOOL FOR
“ This tool provides reliable TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
A FOREST FIRE IN YESTE information to the citizens URBAN PLANNING
(ALBACETE, SPAIN) whilst incorporating lessons
This tool also facilitates the work of Local and
This storytelling tool shows the learned that could be applied Regional authorities (LRAs) when measuring
daily evolution of the fire based in other regions or events.” the impact of fire damage. An assessment
on the wind direction changes of burn severity can be communicated using
Nicolás López Molina, Regional Government a severity index (in order of severity level)
using satellite data. of Castille La Mancha
negligible to slight damaged area, moderately
damaged area, highly damaged area, and
academia and industry. For example, the completely destroyed area as per the graph
fires generate a lot of attention from the above.
The challenge The map shows the satellite image in false colour media. The attention increases if the fire is
Moreover, LRAs can potentially share official
Sentinel 2B with brownish colours showing the area putting people’s life and goods in danger. It is
Castilla la Mancha is a region in Spain that assessments using these type tools for
affected by the fire per day. estimated that over the two weeks after the
has been severely affected by wildfires. informing citizens.
start of the Yeste fire, there were about 160
Large forest fires such as the one that took
MODIS imagery aboard NASA´s Terra satellite news items published on the web.
place in August 2017 in the municipality Outlook to the future
and Landsat-ETM+ and OLI satellite images
of Yeste (Albacete) are becoming more and Storytelling tools are very engaging and
from the joint NASA/USGS programme to
more frequent in the Mediterranean and informative and a great way of promoting the
delimit burnt areas per day and detect active
are leading to more catastrophic outcomes. use of satellite imagery from the Copernicus
fires during the fire event. In addition to this,
Understanding how the fire growth Programme. The tool presented here is an
we used information from the Copernicus
and spread is crucial for preventing and example of how stories based on satellite
Emergency Management Service and other
suppressing wildfires whilst providing critical data and information can be communicated.
relevant datasets such as the boundaries of
and accurate information to the pertinent The data and services from the different
the natural park that were affected by the
authorities. This is why we developed this Sentinels are fundamental for advancing
fire. Global wind data coming from the NOAA
storyline tool for the forest fire in Yeste. This The graph shows the number of hectares burned per our knowledge on climate change but also
Operational Model Archive and Distribution
tool combines the accuracy and updated data day together with the severity index derived from for raising environmental awareness and
System was collected on every day the event
from the Copernicus Earth Observation (EO) satellite images.
improving data driven decision-making.
occurred. Once the layers were ready a set of
Programme with wind speed data to analyse
web mapping services were created with the
how the fire spread. This storytelling tool was published 10 days Acknowledgements
purpose of publishing the results online. A
short text was prepared to explain the source after the event and as soon as the images
The tool shows maps together with narratives We acknowledge the Copernicus Programme
of the fire. The application is available free of were published and processed. It was
explaining the fire behaviour using graphs and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
charge at: http://projects.randbee.com/yeste_ disseminated using different social media
and pictures to convey the event information Administration for the data and services
storytelling. The tool which is based on open channels and shared amongst different local
in an interactive and comprehensive way for provided.
source software works best with Firefox or organisations in the area. This storytelling
the general public.
Chrome Internet browsers. tool provides all authorities involved in the
The space based solution event with timely and accurate geospatial
Benefits to Citizens information derived from EO Copernicus
Copernicus EO data offers unprecedented with narrative text, multimedia and images Juan Arévalo Torres, Gloria Passarello, Iban
available amount of data and services to The service and data coming from Copernicus content. The core benefit of this tool is that it
offer a great opportunity to democratise the Ameztoy and Ana Barbosa
monitor wildfires. We used Sentinel 3A, 2A makes it easy to harness the power of EO data
and 2B from the Copernicus Programme, use of satellite data and services beyond Randbee Consultants, Spain
further combined with other data sources.
Email: juan.arevalo@randbe.es
COPERNICUS DATA
“ Thanks to GeoPAN it is TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
USED TO UNDERSTAND possible to discover that today URBAN PLANNING
LANDSCAPE HISTORICAL the course of the Adda river is
applications.
TRANSFORMATIONS displaced laterally towards the
The GeoPAN application has been extremely
The ENERGIC OD Virtual Hub is a left bank with respect to the well received in professional environments
point of access to Sentinel Data XIX Century one.” such as the Association of Geologists as
and other geographic information it provides a quick and easy way to track
Egidio De Maron, Vice president of “Ordine
lowering the barriers to the dei Geologi della Lombardia
landscape transformations that have occurred
Search through the Pan-European Virtual Hub of across the centuries. Monitoring of such
integration of geospatial data. Sentinel-2A data (www.vh.energic-od.eu) in Lombardy changes enables PAs to make more informed
(Italy).
sources are needed and these very often decisions regarding environmental monitoring
The challenge
GeoPAN is an example of application oversee different local, regional even national and risk mitigation actions.
The world of geographic information (GI) is developed using the PEVH APIs. Thanks to PAs. GeoPAN collects a set of these sparse
currently extremely heterogeneous. User and the Virtual Hub, the development of GeoPAN information and allows visualisation and data Outlook to the future
system requirements, too varied to be satisfied application did not require the resolution of investigation within one unique tool. The The concrete example of GeoPAN application
by a single system or technology, have led to complex interoperability issues, such as the application is currently undergoing testing in can be replicated in other geographical areas
an utter lack of agreement on interoperability transformation of the reference system or other European countries. and during emergencies caused by geo-
standards, creating a barrier to the full encoding the format. Moreover, the PEVH hazards, with potential new features. In such
exploitation of GI by application developers. introduces value added services, such as cases, the use of PEVH could be extremely
For this reason, the integration between the support of multilingual search through important in order to overcome bottlenecks
Copernicus data, geospatial data (GIS and GEMET vocabulary. GeoPAN allows the given by lower level of data openness or be
crowdsourcing data) as well as unconventional tracking of changes of riverbeds by integrating exploited to access datasets at local level
GI data like historical maps, remains highly various data sources. In particular, initially (municipalities).
underexploited. The Pan-European Virtual Sentinel-2A data were used to identify
Hub (PEVH) and GeoPAN application provide possible former riverbed areas considering Acknowledgements
a solution for tracking riverbed changes by soil moisture indexes (NDMI, NDWI). Then,
integrating heterogeneous geospatial data
GeoPAN APP: integration of Sentinel-2A data, The research leading to the results of this
GeoPAN enables access to high resolution historical maps and shapefiles from the local
such as Copernicus data, information from paper has been partially funded under the
seismic classification of land parcels provided (Lombardy) SDI to track riverbed changes.
local Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) and ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP). The
by Lombardy region SDI. It has long been Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2016]
digitised historical maps. ENERGIC OD Pan-European Virtual Hub was
recognised that unconsolidated sediments,
developed within the ENERGIC OD European
like the ones that can be found in former
The space based solution Benefits to Citizens project.
riverbed areas, are found to amplify ground
The PEVH is a single point of access to motion during earthquakes more than ground The ENERGIC-OD PEVH facilitates the
both Copernicus datasets, open geospatial with hard strata. For this reason, GeoPAN development of new and multidisciplinary
datasets and unconventional GI data. was designed in close cooperation with applications based on the full exploitation Mattia Previtali1, Paolo Mazzetti and Stefano
Through it, an end user or a developer is the Lombardy Order of Geologists (more of (open) GI, including INSPIRE-compliant Nativi2 and Miguel Ángel Latre3
able to access datasets provided by remote than 1000 geologists) to help in seismic systems, Sentinel data and Copernicus 1. Politecnico di Milano DABC, Italy
and heterogeneous systems, as if they were microsonation. Historical data are also services. Such an approach is stimulating for 2. National Research Council of Italy,
provided by a unique system. In particular, the analysed. Thus, in order to evaluate if a parcel business innovations that increasingly rely (CNR-IIA), Italy
PEVH is linked with the Sentinels Open Hub to of land has been traversed by a riverbed in on Earth Observation information, especially 3. Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain
get access to Copernicus Sentinels data. the past, numerous heterogeneous data for the market of geospatial open data Email: mattia.previtali@polimi.it
COPERNICUS HELPS
“ Copernicus data opens the TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
PRAGUE PLAN THE CITY door to smart metropolitan URBAN PLANNING
OF THE FUTURE planning.”
Finally, Copernicus data is also very beneficial
Urban and strategic planning in Ondřej Boháč, Prague Institute for wider regional analyses. As there is no
Prague relies on Copernicus Land of Planning and Development comparable data source which would employ
Monitoring Services for land use the same classification system across
benchmarking and monitoring different cities, regions, and even countries,
updated information source for he city which the Urban Atlas provides a level of insight
change over time. is anchored within the Czech legal framework.
Land use changes 1989-2006, created with Urban into land use which would not otherwise be
Atlas-based retrospective data for Prague, property In addition, the Urban Atlas was used in the possible.
of IPR Praha. preparation of Prague’s new Metropolitan
The challenge Outlook to the future
planners to better understand issues such as Plan, as well as for its Strategic Plan. The
Prague, like many European cities, suffers traffic, demands on public services, housing main contribution of the Urban Atlas to these The testing and development of new products
from a gap in data and information between development, property price fluctuations, and documents was the identification of new with high spatial resolution and frequent
the city’s administrative areas and the others. These issues, however, function across development sites and more information updates is necessary for the management
surrounding region. Whilst Prague produces administrative boundaries and influence about their character, along with the of the city and for good urban planning. The
detailed, up-to-date geodata for planning not only cities themselves, but also their subsequent setting of expectations for future promotion of data sources with an MMU of
and decision-making, the coverage of the relationships to other cities and areas. Taking development trends. less than 0.1 ha, along with annual updates,
wider metropolitan region with comparable the Urban Atlas 2006 and 2012 as the base, is crucial for replacing traditional, local data
data is weak. In the Prague metropolitan Prague provided additional classification for sources with new EO data products.
region, the Copernicus Urban Atlas is used aerial imagery from 1989 and 1999 to gain a
in the monitoring and evaluation of various Acknowledgements
more realistic picture of land use development
kinds of development, including: residential in the last 28 years. The comparison shows The bi-annual Prague Analytical Planning
buildings, logistics hubs and industrial the trends in development and provides a Report is available at http://uap.iprpraha.cz.
parks, and retail areas. The Urban Atlas also guideline for future planning policies.
facilitates the comparison of the pace of new Urban Atlas-based Prague retrospective data
residential development between Prague Regardless of the classification complexity is made up of datasets derived from historical
and the wider metropolitan region, the and spatial resolution achieved, the Urban orthophotos on the basis of Urban Atlas
locations of regional development hotspots, Atlas data still has limited use for planning classification provided for the years 1989
and other development indicators. Finally, the at the local level due to the inconsistent and 1999 and is the property of the Prague
Urban Atlas is a convenient data source for classification of land uses over time, a lack Institute of Planning and Development.
inter-city or inter-regional comparisons and of precision with regards to parcel outlines
benchmarking, especially when it comes to when compared with cadastral data, and
other issues. Tackling these issues will be New industrial and logistics developments from
obtaining comparable figures for the built-up
the challenge for the new, high-resolution 2006-2012, Prague and the suburban region
area index, green spaces index, and others.
Copernicus data products.
For example, as presented in the map below,
The space based solution Jiří Čtyroký, Eliška Bradová and
Benefits to Citizens an evaluation of the increase in commercial
An integral part of urban planning is the and industrial units from 2006 to 2012 Lukáš Makovský
monitoring of land use development in the Copernicus data has also been used in the showed that most of this development took Prague Institute of Planning
city and in the wider metropolitan region comprehensive, bi-annual Prague Analytical place in the outer ring of Prague and in and Development, Czech Republic
over time. Temporal analysis enables Planning Report, a binding and regularly neighbouring municipalities. Email: ctyroky@ipr.praha.eu
EO FOR SUSTAINABLE
“ The Walloon Operational Plan TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
URBAN PLANNING of Geomatic and the General URBAN PLANNING
Using Earth Observation (EO) and Direction of Agriculture, Natural
scheme. In addition to the VHR data, these
modelling tools to spatially plan Resources and Environment will provide useful object statistics that will
population growth. Population rely on SmartPop to answer help refine the level of thematic detail and
maps are needed to support risk INSPIRE and create new LC and increase the mapping accuracies. Sentinel
management and to shape the data will also be primarily used for carrying
Smart Cities of tomorrow. LU maps for Wallonia. We are out change detection analysis. By delineating
RE compliant “Pure Component Land Cover” map on convinced that this application the main areas of change within the LCLU
Sart Tilman, Seraing (2013). database, Sentinel will help to prioritise the
covers specific Walloon needs.” VHR EO data processing and hence improve
The challenge processing chain combines Very High
Christel Baltus & Céline Delhage, the efficiency of the upgrading process.
Resolution (VHR) multispectral satellite Public Service of Wallonia (DGO3)
Urbanisation induces health and The new Copernicus land monitoring services,
imagery with aerial one as well as 3D
environmental risk-related challenges. In the such as Corine Land Cover +, HRL and GHSL,
digital height models, driven by LiDAR
context of steady urban population growth, With SmartPop, these authorities benefit will be assessed with regards to the needs
or photogrammetric methods. This semi-
cities and regions need to develop smart from fine-scale, up-to-date and dynamic of Wallonia. Using the activity-based cellular
automated object-oriented chain is provided
and sustainable management strategies to geoinformation that allow smart and automata model, different scenarios of
in open access. Secondly, the functional
understand, measure, map and mitigate the sustainable planning of the urban territory. population and LU change can be simulated.
information needed in the LU map is deducted
increasing urban risks such as air pollution or The outputs of this model will serve as inputs
from existing thematic data and the LC map.
urban heat, which are increasing in the context in risk analysis models such as “UrbClim” to
of climate change. In Wallonia, the current Using this LCLU database with the High analyse future risks. Using this modelling
and official Land Cover (LC) and Land Use Resolution “imperviousness” Layer (HRL) chain, robustness of environment policies
(LU) spatial database is not up to date. The from the Copernicus land monitoring service can be tested under different outlooks for the
LCLU map (COSW2007) does not distinguish or the Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL), future.
LC from LU. Moreover, population figures are SmartPop proposes population dasymetric
provided at the level of the statistical sectors, methods disaggregating demographic figures Acknowledgements
which have various sizes and shapes causing to fine-scale raster grid (100m). With the
SmartPop is funded by ISSeP Moerman’s
distortions in the spatial analysis. SmartPop goal of improving the regional risk modelling,
fund and by Belspo (shared-cost project
develops smart spatial modelling methods the two databases are then integrated in (i)
SR/00/313 - STEREO III program). We
combining various EO and geographical an activity-based cellular automata model
would like to thank the steering committee
data. Derived gridded population density that simulates LCLU changes and population Prediction of the number of heat wave days per and the data providers.
and risk-related maps support risk analysis, distribution until 2060 and (ii) in an urban summer for the 2081-2100 time period according
either in the assessment of hazards or in the climate model, “UrbClim”, that produces to UrbClim (RCP8.5).
exposure of the population, now and in the outputs such as urban heat island maps and Benjamin Beaumont1, Eric Hallot1, Odile
future. These tools are compliant with the EU the number of heat wave days per period. Outlook to the future Close1, Pr. Eléonore Wolff2, Lien Poelmans3
INSPIRE directive requirements. and Nathalie Stephenne4
Benefits to Citizens Thanks to the ad-hoc solution developed
in Liege, a project called “Walous” and 1. ISSeP, Belgium
The space based solution Local and regional authorities need funded by public authorities has started in 2. Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
SmartPop develops two distinct LC and LU comprehensive, user-driven and holistic 2018. At regional scale, spectral indices 3. VITO, Belgium
datasets integrated in a unique database. visions of the fast changing urban territory from Sentinel-1 and 2 time series will be 4. SPW, Belgium
Firstly, a detailed regional urban LC mapping to address the population growth challenge. integrated into the current LC mapping Email: b.beaumont@issep.be
MODELLING AND
“ This kind of population data TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
FORECASTING URBAN would be extremely useful URBAN PLANNING
POPULATION PATTERNS for improving our urban health
especially in developing countries facing rapid
The MAUPP project aims at services.” urban growth.
improving existing models of Olga Waigel, German Development The methods developed, and the geographic
urban growth and population Cooperation Agency (GIZ) information produced will be made available
distribution for vulnerability and on an open and free-of-charge basis. All new
health assessment for a set of maps will be available to public authorities
48 African cities. Benefits to Citizens and other users through the existing WorldPop
web data portal (www.worldpop.org).
Urbanisation has profound social,
The challenge environmental and epidemiological Outlook to the future
Automated classification of the built-up area for
Spatial modelling and forecasting of the 1995 to 2015. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. implications and makes spatial and
In the future, the methods could be used
human population is of primary importance for quantitative estimations of urban change and
ERS, are fused in a highly-automated to monitor the urban expansion of a larger
epidemiology and risk assessment, especially population density a valuable information
image analysis process, using open source number of cities. Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2
in Africa where the population is predicted to source for epidemiology and vulnerability
solutions, in order to delineate their current have already proved their capability for
double over the next 40 years. At the same assessment. Such information is also very
extent and map their growth from 1995 to such a purpose. Over the next few years,
time, the information coming from the census valuable for land management and planning,
nowadays. This knowledge of the past is they will definitely become cornerstones
is out-dated and/or only available in coarse for the automated production of geographic
then used to build urban expansion models
administrative units; it therefore limits the information, on a regular basis and at
to forecast the urban extension until 2030.
confidence of the expansion models. The reduced costs, especially for regions such as
Our products achieved more than 85% of
MAUPP project (maupp.ulb.ac.be) aims at sub-Saharan Africa where this information is
overall accuracy on independent test sets.
taking advantage of remote sensing data still lacking.
The corresponding dataset of more than 4
to map and predict the extension of cities
Terabytes is processed on a high performing
through time and to understand and predict Acknowledgements
PC. Without considering the pre-processing,
intra-urban variations of population density.
the processing took an average of 1 hour This work was funded by the research
The space based solution per city. At the same time, another part of programme for earth observation (STEREO
the project focuses on the use of very-high III) of the Belgian Federal Science Policy
Remote sensing offers an effective solution resolution remote sensing data (~0.5m) to Office (BELSPO).
to map and monitor urbanisation at different better capture the diversity of intra-urban
spatial and temporal scales. On a local scale, patterns, and to improve the estimations
they provide information on the morphology of population density. For 3 African cities
of different residential patterns that can be of different structure and size, open-source
linked to different population densities. semi-automated processing chains mapped
Grippa T, Forget Y., Lopez J-F., Vanhuysse S.,
On a large set of 48 cities selected to be land cover and land use, at city scale, with
an overall accuracy above 85%. All processes Wolff E.a, Linard C., Gilbert M.1, Shimoni M.2
representative of the variations in climates
are achieved on a high performance PC. and Tatem A.J.3
and urban patterns in sub-Saharan Africa,
1. Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
historical and recent optical and radar
high resolution (~30m) remote sensing Example of population count reallocation from 2. Royal military academy, Belgium
administrative units to a regular grid using land- 3. University of Southampton, UK
data, i.e. Landsat, Sentinel, Envisat and
cover information (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso). Email: ewolff@ulb.ac.be
MONITOR URBAN
“ Satellite images create value- TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
AREAS AND GREEN added data essential for URBAN PLANNING
INFRASTRUCTURES monitoring our territory and
have been achieved and the agency is now
Satellite imagery supports cities building a sustainable city.” relying more and more on satellite images
in filling the gap of environmental Emmanuel Bouriau, Land and Environment to carry out their diagnosis. The encouraging
information and contributing Division, Urban planning Agency of Rennes results have thus interested the services of
towards the production of urban (AUDIAR) the local authority, Rennes Metropole. It has
Urban vegetation extraction and characterisation commissioned a study on the implementation
planning documents.
based on very high resolution Pléiades satellite of environmental indicators in order to setup
authorities to manage their city: (1) diagnoses
image. Application in Rennes, FRANCE. decision-making tools.
in terms of biodiversity, and environmental
health help to define new urban planning Kermap, a startup in earth observation,
The challenge than 50,000 residents. However the minimal
mapping unit is still limited and cannot extract documents; (2) climate modelling to locate has been selected to develop innovative
In 2050, 70 % of the world population will sensitive areas affected by urban heat islands. solutions to provide smart monitoring of land
the individual trees or small hedges network.
live in cities and policymakers are already This phenomenon can impact the inhabitants’ imperviousness, biodiversity, citizen comfort,
Specific works are ongoing to investigate
engaged in providing a city capable of (1) wellbeing; (3) land imperviousness monitoring urban climate and carbon stock estimates.
contributions of very high-resolution images
hosting more inhabitants, (2) preserving to identify green area conversion into car parks This information will then help Rennes
such as Pléiades images to extract and
and enhancing their health and quality of in the private domain; (4) vegetation index to Metropole to renew its urban master plan.
characterise low and high urban vegetation
life, and (3) adapting to climate change. prove that urban development is not at the
(Figure 1). Both in France and in Europe as a whole, these
Green frames and green-infrastructures are expense of the environment and to ensure that
In addition, Sentinel-2 images are a very documents have to be updated regularly (every
obviously credible answers to new challenges compensatory measures are respected.
good complementary data source to monitor 3 to 5 years) and include an increasing need
that cities have to face. Local authorities and
urban morphology at a coarser scale. With for sanitary and environmental information.
urban planning agencies currently consider
the 10m spatial resolution, it is possible In that context, satellite image is a suitable
vegetation as an important theme of urban
to understand land-use, classify spatial and affordable tool that is becoming more
master plans. They are looking for new
arrangements of building and estimate their and more important in the decision-making
decision-making tools to monitor ecological
height. This information is crucial for climate process.
services such as biodiversity conservation,
heat island and air pollution reduction. modelling and evaluating the urban heat
Acknowledgements
island effect (Figure 2).
The space based solution AUDIAR is the urban planning agency of
Benefits to Citizens Rennes. It is an association that serves
Urban vegetation is difficult to monitor and
The market for sustainable management of city public service missions. KERMAP is a startup
manage. Databases on urban vegetation Local Climate Zones and Urban Heat Island modelling
and urban vegetation is emerging. Conversely, in earth observation and a spin-off project of
are primarily made from field missions, are based urban vegetation data and Sentinel-2.
budgets of local authorities tend to be the public research laboratory, UMR LETG.
difficult to update and limited to the public Applications in Rennes, FRANCE.
domain. Faced with these constraints, decreasing and consequently, it opens up new Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
satellite imagery is a suitable tool to monitor challenges for innovative solutions. Very high-
urban areas; they have the advantages of resolution satellite images allow extraction of Outlook to the future
being continuous, global and objective. vegetation at fine scale (single tree and tree A first initiative to evaluate the benefit
line) and provide a better understanding of of satellite images was conducted by the Antoine Lefebvre1 and Emmanuel Bouriau2
On a European scale for example, the
vegetation in the public and private domains. an planning agency of Rennes (AUDIAR). 1. KERMAP, France
Copernicus land services took the initiative
to map urban vegetation for cities of more New information can be provided to local Rennes is an urban area about 700 km² 2. AUDIAR, France
and 440,000 inhabitants. Relevant results Email: antoine.lefebvre@kermap.com
URBAN GROWTH
“ It is important to have an TERRITORIAL
MANAGEMENT AND
MONITORING WITH objective indicator to measure URBAN PLANNING
COPERNICUS DATA the evolution of urbanization.”
Satellite derived information Dominique Esnault, ADAUHR - ATD 68, Agence
provides a quantified Technique Départementale du Haut-Rhin Deployed in the Eastern part of the Haut-
Rhin department of the French Grand Est
expertise for the assessment Region during the first year of the EUGENIUS
and evaluation of territorial project, the urban growth monitoring service
development policies. has allowed assess, for the 2013-2017 time
period, to the evolution of 44 municipalities
situated along the French - German border,
The challenge a sector of special interest for the annual
monitoring of the economic impact of the
Within a climate change adaptation Surface of urbanization evolution per municipality future closure of a nuclear plant.
perspective linked to the increasing between 2013 and 2017 in the East part of the Haut-
importance of sustainable management of our Rhin department of the Grand Est region (France). Outlook to the future
environment, territorial authorities involved monitor the realisation of officially authorised Within EUGENIUS, the service is progressively
on this subject have an increased need urban planning directives, to forecast new being assessed in other European regions
for geo-information providing the support urbanisation trends and needs, and to which are also concerned by sustainable
to realise their missions, especially those help them in their decision making process territory management and space consumption
related to the development of a territory in regarding the regional and local application issues (e.g. Apulia region in Italy). Moreover,
compliance with ecological and sustainability of spatial and environmental politics Cadastral parcels affected by urbanization evolution this information could also be of interest for
considerations or directives. (e.g. for France, PLU, SCOT, SRCE,...). This need between 2013 and 2017. the private sector, public works or building
Amongst these needs, the regular for monitoring highlights the pertinence of the assessment of remaining available spaces companies (e.g. updated knowledge of
measurement of urban zone development exploitation of Earth Observation techniques in urban planning documents; these geo- available areas for urbanisation) or even for
and the consumption of space is helpful for compared to more traditional approaches information are derived and mapped from the individual citizen concerned about the
green and blue infrastructure assessment, for (e.g. aerial photos, administrative document multi-temporal satellite data. development of his surrounding environment.
local biodiversity - green corridor preservation collection and compilation, in–situ data and
field campaign). Whereas Sentinel-2 data (10m) are used Acknowledgements
which is linked to the artificialisation of
for monitoring the urban zone development
landscapes at local level, and more generally This project has received funding from the EU
The space based solution at a global municipality level and in peri-
for the setting up of specific indicators H2020 research and innovation programme
urban areas, contributing missions satellite
and environment profile diagnostics, or Based on the use of Copernicus satellite under grant agreement No 730150 EUGENIUS
data, such as Pleiades (50 cm) or SPOT6-7
synthetic documents at regional level data and local information, the urban H2020-EO-2016.
(1.50m), combined to local datasets, such as
allowing the monitoring of the “Grenelle growth monitoring service, provided by
the local urban plan (PLU) or the cadastre,
de l’Environnement”, French Ministry of SERTIT within the H2020 EUGENIUS
allow this monitoring to be refined on a more
Environment policy, especially through the project (European Group of Enterprises for
detailed scale, i.e. of the urban plan sector or
setting up of sustainable development a Network of Information Using Space), is
at a cadastral parcel level. Thereby, on both
planning tools. dedicated to urban and land spatial planning
spatial and temporal scales, this information N. Tholey, M. Caspard, V. Gastal
users in charge of the setting up & control
This information, today not available also complements the core Copernicus
of local urban plans, of the monitoring of and P. de Fraipont,
regularly (i.e. annually), is needed by Urban products related to urban areas (e.g. Urban
the development of new constructions ICube-SERTIT, France
and Land Planning authorities in order to Atlas, HR layers, CLC).
within authorised built up areas, and of the Email: nadine.tholey@icube.unistra.fr
Water Civil Protection
gy
CIVIL PROTECTION
Floods, landslides, earthquakes, wild fires, volcanic eruptions: natural and man-made disasters
can occur at any moment in time. They can not only cause economic and environmental
damage, but more importantly threaten lives. Civil protection includes response to emergencies
to be deployed in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, but also post-disaster assistance,
rehabilitation and reconstruction. And, before disasters take place, prevention and preparedness
are essential. As also advocated within the UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction,
understanding disaster risk is essential to invest in preparedness and enhance resilience. This
strongly leverages on the accurate knowledge of territory and population.
In general, civil protection is managed at national level, however, when it comes to

implementation, cooperation and sharing of information with the EU and at regional/local level
is essential: disasters know no borders and a well-coordinated response through different
layers of competent authorities is needed to ensure that assistance meets the real needs of
the affected areas.
Support for the management of emergencies is a core objective of Copernicus. This is mainly
achieved through the Copernicus Emergency Management Service which delivers disaster maps
as soon as possible after a crisis occurs. These maps are based on the Sentinels but also on
data from the Copernicus Contributing Missions. By comparing post with pre-disaster maps,
an overview of the impact can be gained to help directing recovery efforts and assessing
the damages. The Service also helps to improve preparedness through mapping risk-prone
areas and providing early warnings related to specific types of events such as floods and
wild fires. Alongside the Emergency Management Service, the availability of Sentinel data
can support dedicated monitoring and alerting functions for some types of disasters such as
volcanic eruptions, floods and fires. This is important especially for wide, cross-border and
rapidly evolving events and for remote areas.
Delineation of a forest fire over Enskogen (Sweden)
on July 24, 2018
Copernicus Emergency Management Service (© 2018 European Union),
[EMSR298] Delineation Map - Monitoring 05
BURNT AREA MAPPING AT Città Central Slovenia
Città Metropolitana USE OF COPERNICUS
PROVINCIAL LEVEL USING Metropolitana CEMS, S1, S2 3/4 Statistical Region
di Torino EMERGENCY SERVICE DURING Slovenia CEMS 4
SENTINEL IMAGERY di Torino (Osrednjeslovenska
SLEET IN SLOVENIA
COPERNICUS DATA GIVE statistična regija)
Central Macedonia Central Macedonia S1, S2 5
PROSPECTS Adriatic Croatia
WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ON City of Zagreb
Intermunicipal - County of Split CEMS, S2 1
THE CROATIAN TERRITORY (Grad Zagreb)
Community Região de S1, S2, S3 and Dalmatia
Intermunicipal
COPERNICUS HELPING Coimbra S5P CAMS,
community of 5
CIVIL PROTECTION Intermunicipal CEMS, CMEMS, * Copernicus data sources mentioned in the user stories. Acronyms refer to: S1: Sentinel-1; S2: Sentinel-2;
Coimbra Region
Community Viseu CLMS S3: Sentinel-3; S5P: Sentinel-5P; CLMS: Copernicus Land Monitoring Service; CMEMS: Copernicus Marine
Dão-Lafões Environment Monitoring Service; CEMS: Copernicus Emergency Management Service; CAMS: Copernicus
EO INTEGRATED APROACH FOR Atmosphere Monitoring Service.
Bulgaria Bulgaria S1, S2, S3, CLMS 3
PLUVIAL FLOOD MANAGEMENT ** The Usage Maturity Level assigned to each story has been self-assessed by the Authors. Values range from 1
MONITORING LANDSLIDE Apulia (Explorer) to 5 (Operational User). For the definition, please refer to Fig. 3 in p. 26.
Sicily S1 4
RISKS IN URBAN AREAS (Puglia) Region of affiliation of the lead Author and Main region of application of the User Story as declared
NEW FRONTIER FOR by the Authors.
Italy
EMERGENCY RESPONSE: Italy S1, S2 3
(Italia)
SATELLITE DATA
SENTINEL-1 MONITORS
Bratislava Region
GEOHAZARDS TO SECURE Trenčiansky kraj S1 2
(Bratislavský kraj)
HOMES OF CITIZENS
THE PHLEGREAN FIELDS
CALDERA: A HISTORY Campania Campania S1 5
OF DEFORMATION
BURNT AREA MAPPING
AT PROVINCIAL LEVEL
USING SENTINEL
“ A comprehensive mapping of
the burnt areas over the
provincial territory in a short
CIVIL PROTECTION
services has been also experimented by “Città

IMAGERY timeframe enables a more metropolitana di Torino”, to estimate the social
Sentinel-2 imagery was analysed efficient response, especially in costs of reactivating lost ecosystems services
to map the extent of burnt areas or to maintain their baseline conditions.
terms of protection of citizens.”
in the afftected municipalilties of Outlook to the future
Massimo Vettoretti
“Città Metropolitana di Torino”. Città metropolitana di Torino In order to consolidate the support of
Burnt areas in Val di Susa, Città metropolitana di the Sentinel derivative products to public
Torino after the forest fires in October 2017. authorities, dedicated ad-hoc services
The challenge (Source: Città Metropolitana di Torino)
tailored to regional and/or provincial
The Piemonte region in northwest Italy was municipalities of Torino [Turin], integrating requirements could be further developed. In
affected by a series of large fires in October and updating the 6 areas already analysed by particular, the exploitation of data acquired
2017, caused by a combination of long lasting the Copernicus EMS service. For this purpose, by the Sentinel-1 radar SAR constellation
drought conditions, high temperatures, strong it collaborated with the ITHACA research would allow the limitations of optical data
winds and arsonists. Once the immediate centre, which has long-standing experience in to be overcome. Sentinel-1 imagery can
emergency response phase ended, the main emergency mapping, and with Politecnico di indeed also provide information in the event
challenge was to create a comprehensive Torino. Multi-temporal Copernicus Sentinel-2 of cloud coverage. Furthermore, considering
inventory of the burnt areas, as explicitly optical images acquired before, during and the increased availability of services and
required by national regulations, in a short after the forest fire event (thanks to the ~3 Burnt area extent (Susa, Torino) and severity (orange, products based on Sentinel imagery, ad-hoc
timeframe. Field mapping of the burnt areas days revisit time of the constellation at mid- completely burnt – green, partially burnt) overlaid on operational workflows can be developed at
a post-event Sentinel-2 imagery. (Source: ITHACA) provincial authority level to ingest space-
is a demanding task in terms of resources and latitudes) were processed. The availability of
time. Satellite imagery is indeed an effective multispectral information in the Short Wave planning, allowing preventive measures to be based data (possibly including the outputs of
and efficient approach to speed up such a and Near infrared bands allowed burnt areas assessed (also in terms of costs), prioritised the European Forest Fire Information System,
task with a sufficient degree of accuracy. to be delineated with an adequate accuracy and planned. Furthermore, the availability EFFIS) and to extract the required value-
even in the presence of fire smoke, that would of a comprehensive burnt areas database (a added information.
The space based solution have jeopardised the analysis based only on strict user’s requirement) derived by satellite
visible data. Burnt areas have been exported Acknowledgements
The efficiency and effectiveness of a space- imagery efficiently supports administrative
based solution for burnt areas mapping for in GIS-ready formats to allow further value- processes foreseen by national regulations The authors would like to thank the
this specific event was already demonstrated added analyses. in case of fires events (e.g., prohibitions authorities of the affected municipalities for
by the Copernicus Emergency Management prescriptions, penalties). Satellite-based the logistical and technical support.
Service (© European Union, 2012-2018), analysis are indeed faster than traditional
which mapped 6 of the most affected areas The main benefits of the EO space-based time-consuming field surveys and cheaper
in the framework of [EMSR253] forest fire in solution is mainly in terms of safety of then aerial flights, allowing large areas P. Boccardo 2, O. Castelletti 1, M. Gennari 1,
Piemonte, Italy. The Public Authority “Città citizens and infrastructures. Intersecting (including possible inaccessible areas) to be M. Vettoretti 1, , F.G. Tonolo3, C. Sandu3,
metropolitana di Torino” (NUTS3 level), the burnt areas with the in-situ data of mapped with homogeneous interpretation and M. Vassileva3
covering 316 municipalities grouped into 11 provincial authorities (e.g. urban areas guidelines. Long lasting events can also 1. Città Metropolitana di Torino, Italy
homogeneous areas, decided therefore to strategic infrastructures, risk zones) enables to be monitored thanks to the short revisiting 2. Politecnico di Torino, Italy
integrate an operational satellite based solution carry out timely risk analyses in the affected time. For this specific event, the estimation 3. ITHACA, Italy
to map the burnt areas in the 60 affected areas, e.g. debris flow risk, safe mobility of the impact of forest fires on ecosystem Email: fabiogiuliotonolo@ithaca.polito.it
COPERNICUS DATA GIVE
PROSPECTS
The purpose of this study
“ The use of Copernicus - Sentinel
data has transformed the way
we understand space and has
CIVIL PROTECTION
- Monitoring Green areas / neighbourhoods in

is to upgrade the existing increased our capacity to manage the city as well as Municipal properties and
infrastructure of Geospatial emergency situations or monitor infrastructure.
Information (SDI) of Thessaloniki
with Satellite data from the environment.” - Strengthening the Transparency and
Efficiency of the Municipality through Open
Copernicus in almost real time. Sentinel-2 data integrated to the Thessaloniki SDI
Simos Misirloglou, Data.
City of Thessaloniki
platform. NDVI for the greater Thessaloniki area is - Monitoring the environmental endurance of
automatically calculated using bands 4 and 8.
the Thermaikos Gulf ecosystem.
The challenge
& 3 (OLCI) satellite data via standard OGC
The Municipality of Thessaloniki acknowledges
the need for central management of Web Services, WMS / WMTS and WCS, in With the fully operational use of the
geospatial and attributive information in order to give to the end user (internal user, Sentinels’ constellation even more data will
order to provide quality information to the citizen, other organisations) advanced search, be available to support the Municipality in the
citizens. In this context, an open data portal viewing and downloading on satellite data of daily operations and the strategic planning.
and an enterprise Geographical Information Copernicus system. Sentinel-1 SAR data, which is already
System (GIS) were developed and have been available, can be used to monitor landslides
The service gives direct access with multiple
in operation since 2008. phenomena or emergency situations like
selection criteria (e.g., date of capture, cloud
floods and oil spills. Sentinel 4 and 5 data
One of the features that was missing cover) on standard multi-spectral data such Interactive Browser of Sentinel data products over the
Greater Thessaloniki area. Users simple select product can be used to monitor emission sources and
though was high resolution satellite data as single band images, colour RGB composite
(RGB, band, index), date and cloud cover. air quality, providing a continuous monitoring
which would have allowed continuous spectral channels such as True Colour, False
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2018] system of air pollution. Using that data,
environmental monitoring of land and sea. Colour, Short Wave Infrared, or remote
new added value products and services are
Although high resolution Sentinel data was sensing indexes like NDVI, NDWI, SAVI,
Management, Directorate of Urban Planning expected to emerge and provide even more
freely available through the Copernicus LAI, and EVI. These products are available
and Architectural Design, Independent Civil information tailored to the users’ needs.
Scientific Hub for more than 2 years, several in a browser, through the Municipalities’
Protection Department).
technical limitations like size and complexity geoportal, or in a GIS environment, without Acknowledgements
prevented the operational use of these data the need to download, process or transform The data will additionally be useful to the
and their exploitation according to their value of the data. following programmes and actions of the The work described in this article was
until recently. Strategic Plan for Urban Resilience: supported by our collaborator GET Ltd and
Finally, through a real-time alert service, the especially Gabriel Mavrellis and Theodoros
system operator of the Municipality can be - Local risk reduction and development of a
The space based solution Vakkas who, with their scientific guidance
notified when new data is available. risk management system (adverse natural
and experience, helped us develop the
The Municipality of Thessaloniki acquired a phenomena such as earthquakes, floods,
abovementioned platform and services.
new Satellite data service from Geospatial Benefits to Citizens landslides and forest fires).
Enabling Technologies (www.getmap.eu), The Copernicus Sentinel data will support - Strengthening the environmental awareness
integrating the Sinergise Sentinel Hub several internal needs of various departments of citizens through the availability of modern Misirloglou Simos1 and Vakkas Theodoros2
technology within the existing GET SDI of the Municipality (Directorate of Technical satellite data to Climathon participants
Portal web portal environment. The solution 1. Municipality of Thessaloniki, Greece
Services Department of Building and
provides access to near real-time Sentinel-2 2. GET Ltd, Greece
Planning Applications, Urban Environmental
Email: s.misirloglou@thessaloniki.gr
COPERNICUS HELPING
CIVIL PROTECTION
SADGE & VIGIA decision-making
“ Copernicus aids daily decision-
making activities, minimising the
implications of environmental
CIVIL PROTECTION
creating notifications in case of major events

platforms for civil protection threats.” to increase the safety of the citizens.
based on Copernicus services and
Jorge Brito (CIM Região de Coimbra) Outlook to the future
Sentinel Imagery. Nuno Martinho (CIM Viseu -Dão Lafões)
Burnt area in the 2017 forest fire at CIM Viseu- SADGE and VIGIA reached maturity with
Dão Lafões (Portugal) using Copernicus Emergency a full and efficient exploitation of cloud
Management Service visualised on VIGIA. computing, big data and artificial intelligence,
Credits: Copernicus Service information 2017.
combing Copernicus and Earth Observation/
remote sensing automatisation. The modular
The challenge Monitoring service that, combined with
architecture allows other Copernicus Services,
ground-measurements, are inserted into an
Fires have claimed 165 lives in Portugal in particular with Sentinel 4 and 5 family
algorithm to improve forecasts (where and
over the last 17 years whilst climate change imagery for air quality monitoring. From the
when) and space resolution. It allows to
is triggering major river floods, destroying Municipality Associations, there is a strong
identify hotspots of pollution such as, for
coastal infrastructures and changing commitment to create a two-way information
instance, the 2016 and 2017 Sahara Desert
agriculture cycles. The economic implications Flood areas of Mondego (Coimbra, Portugal) river pipeline, providing data from their stations to
aerosol events. In addition, it connects visualized on SADGE platform. Data obtained
are enormous both for citizens and for the Copernicus ecosystem helping improving
the notifications to local health services to from Sentinel 1 imagery processed by SpaceLayer
public authorities, being intensified due the services.
minimise the implications, e.g., in asthmatics. Technologies. Credits: Copernicus Sentinel data 2016.
to the specificity of the local territory. New
Emergency Management Services are Acknowledgements
dynamical computational tools must be used of the territory are needed to make the right
employed to characterise disaster areas and
taking into consideration the heterogeneity decisions, and make the best out of the low The work had the support of European Union
adapt local decision-making policies after the
and specificity of the territory, especially budgets available. Potential flooded areas are Cohesion Funds via PT2020 and POSEUR,
event. Sea tides and currents from marine
for civil protection purposes. Intermunicipal analysed using time-lapse satellite imagery contracts 02-1810-FC-000110 10-2016-
service and climate change are employed
communities (CIM) “Região de Coimbra” knowing that local records are usually 43. The projects were co-financed by the
together with Sentinel 2, cameras and
and “Viseu-Dão Lafões” developed SADGE outdated. Vegetation can be monitored all municipalities of CIM-RC and CIM-VDL.
ground information to analyse coastal erosion
and VIGIA, respectively, combining Earth year round and the fire hazard of the forest
and near-sea infrastructures planning and
Observation and in-situ data with artificial can be calculated. Using weather forecasts
mitigation. In the case of the rivers, Sentinel
intelligence for effective emergency response and local measurements the cone propagation
1 and his radar sensors are used to effectively
and pro-active daily decision-making, is automatically anticipated. Taking proactive
characterise floods, even in cloudy conditions.
minimising social and economic implications measures and decisions, the 2017 death toll
Finally, land service and Sentinel 2 provide
on their citizens and infrastructures. can be minimized in the future. Nowadays,
detailed data for forest characterisation and
biomass quantification analysing the risk of air pollution is a major issue in Europe with
The space based solution wellbeing implications. The forecast tools
fire propagation.
The multitude of environmental threats of Copernicus services and the improved
increase the need for the use of Earth Benefits to Citizens algorithms anticipate harsh-events. All the Pedro J.S.B. Caridade1, Carla Gouveia-Caridade
Observation due to the smaller number deployed alerts in the platform are correlated and Paulo J.S.B. Caridade2
The direct benefits of using Copernicus
of ground-level sensor networks required. with infrastructures (emergency services, 1. SpaceLayer Technologies & University
services by institutions and citizens are clear
The platforms use Copernicus services and schools, events, amongst others) so that of Coimbra, Portugal
in these regions. Institutionally, the use of
Sentinels imagery intensively. Air quality is the response can be optimised in each and 2. SpaceLayer Technologies, Portugal
scientific-based tools and global perspectives
provided in a first layer by the Atmospheric every case. Both platforms have tools for
Email: pedrojcaridade@spacelayertech.com
EO INTEGRATED
APPROACH FOR PLUVIAL
FLOOD MANAGEMENT
“ The approach is filling a
significant knowledge-gap on
the pluvial floods’ mechanism,
CIVIL PROTECTION
small waterway measures, related to better

Climate change more often analysis and risk-reducing land use/cover management, rather than
results in disastrous events such measures’ planning - an expensive hydrotechnical measures. Optimal
as flash floods. This calls for a important contribution to the land management will directly influence the
need for detailed analyses of its flood risk, together with water pollution,
cause and consequences. FRMP1 update.” biodiversity, soil erosion etc. Thus, the solution
will support not only the flood mitigation, but
Rumeliya Petrova, Danube Region BD also activities related to Water Framework
Flood Risk Management Plan of the Danube river basin
1
Directive, Common Agricultural Policy,

The challenge based on the hydrological characteristics Biodiversity Strategy etc. Often activities of
Refined watershed related characteristics information and changes in the land cover. The detailed these EU policy instruments are implemented
During the last two decades, flash flood
extracted from EO data is used to describe the analyses allow identification of the area with separately at national level. Being able to
events have increased their negative impact
preconditions. high instance of surface runoff where specific use a common solution which will support
significantly in many regions in Bulgaria. They
measures should be undertaken in order to cross relation between these instruments
are difficult to predict, last for a short period meteorological satellites, in-situ data and
decrease the flood risk. will allow more integrated implementation
of time, but are causing serious damage – meteorological radars in order to describe
which will result in decreasing the flood risk,
both casualties and financial losses. Flood risk in detail the evolution of the event. As an
but with measures which will have positive
management at local, regional, national, and outcome from the module, regions with high
impact on land management, environment,
European (EU Floods Directive – EU FD) level potential of similar events to occur will be
biodiversity, and hence human life.
calls for an integrated spatial information identified. The second module describes the
before, during and after the flood in order preconditions within the affected territory. Outlook to the future
to analyse the event and to select adequate Here, the high revisit time of Sentinel 1
measures for flood mitigation. Copernicus and 2 is of great importance. The data In 2016, the second planning cycle of the
provides the required EO data, the challenge from the satellites, together with the Land EU FD began. Now, when the Copernicus
is to couple these data with local information Core Services are used to derive specific becomes operational the developed approach
and expertise to create a standardised service information for the land cover/use, soil will support the River Basin Directorates in
to support decision-making. moisture, orographic details, condition of the more precise implementation of the Directive
water reservoirs etc. The possibility of using in all its phases – delineation of areas with
The space based solution data from Copernicus contributing missions significant potential flood risk, and especially
should also not be neglected. in the development of flood risk management
The pluvial floods and the extent of the Sentinel-2 data shows not only the flooded area, plans, where Copernicus will provide valuable
damage they cause are a complex balance The third module is related to the post event but the area where the water was accumulated –
sources of information for planning risk-
which needs detailed information for the status of the territory. The same parameters thus allowing precise risk reduction measures on
reducing measures at catchment level.
territory they occur as well as its state before are analysed in order to identify the flood watershed level to be implemented.
and after the event. Thus, the proposed extent and damage, but also small changes Benefits to Citizens
solution to mitigate the impact from the in the land cover which could be later used
disaster has several modules relying on the for detailed analyses. Here, the use of the The developed solution is ready to be
spatial component which Copernicus data and Sentinels’ data is essential. The final module put into operation. It provides a detailed
core services provide, updated and refined is the analytical one where all the data are description of the whole waterway and how N. Tsvetkova, V. Vassilev
using local knowledge. The climatological combined in a GIS environment and every its characteristics influence the effects of the GEO Polymorphic Ltd., Bulgaria
module relies on data from Sentinel 3, waterway subject to flooding is analysed flood event. This allows elaboration of a set of Email: office@geopolymorphic.com
MONITORING LANDSLIDE
RISKS IN URBAN AREAS
Copernicus Sentinel-1 SAR data
“ This service gives us the
opportunity to monitor in real-
time the dynamics of ground
CIVIL PROTECTION
methods, providing a long-term solution

were used to detect and monitor movements and identify the to ground instability monitoring and fresh
landslides in the urban area of most critical points.” accurate information all over the world.
Niscemi, Sicily, Italy.
Concetta Meli, Head of Environment and By subscribing to the Rheticus® Displacement
Public Works Dept., Municipality of Niscemi, service, users can log in to the Web platform
Niscemi, Sicily, Italy. Trends of the displacements Sicily, Italy and access an intuitive dashboard, gaining
identified over the municipality area. an immediate overview and reliable geo-
information, including reports, thematic
maps, indicators and geo-analytics, and a
The challenge the processing of periodic trends, based on a The “Warning Maps” allow a more immediate
series of acquired data, to identify non-linear weekly update. This is possible thanks to the
The Municipality of Niscemi, Italy, is a understanding of the phenomena and of
movements; the determination of horizontal continuous Copernicus Sentinel monitoring
historic village, located in a hilly area in the potential criticalities. In fact, whilst
and vertical displacement speed of points; information that helps to meet local and
Sicily, affected by landslides. Amongst its the “Displacement maps” include all the PS
the performance of multi-scale analyses; and national requirements in the field of land
institutional activities, on the theme of obtained in the area of interest, the Warning
the integration of other data sources. The monitoring and ground surface displacement
civil protection in case of landslides and/or Maps extrapolate only those that meet some
Rheticus® Displacement service was able to detection.
subsidence phenomena, the municipality is in established criteria of risk.
process satellite data over the area and to Rheticus® Displacement guarantees the best
charge of the implementation of forecasting
provide thematic maps, dynamic geo-analytics quality-price ratio available on the market,
activities and risk prevention measures.
and pre-set reports to the Municipality of thanks to the use of open data, automatic
There was a need to establish an early
Niscemi. For the assessment of the landslide processing procedures and its cloud-based
warning information service to support
trend over the Municipality, a time series of architecture, overcoming difficulties and costs
authorities in the prevention of possible
past movements was required to build a past of field measurement campaigns.
risks to citizens and infrastructures and to
and future trend scenario. Displacement was
find a cost-effective solution that does not Outlook to the future
assessed over the subscribed area of interest
require the installation of instruments or
by means of measurements of velocity, The service will include a new advanced and
their maintenance which was suitable for low
acceleration and coherence of Persistent interactive analysis system, based on the
budget and time-restricted surveys.
Scatterers (PS). PS were identified and their correlation between the different PS, in order
Niscemi, Sicily, Italy. Rheticus® Displacement user
Planetek Italia, with the agreement of velocity/acceleration measured through to highlight homogeneous areas in terms of
interface showing ground movements’ velocity
the Municipality of Niscemi, activated the extensively tested SPINUA© algorithm acceleration and trends over data retrieved from displacement kinematics.
the Rheticus® Displacement monitoring applied using Sentinel-1 radar data. Sentinel-1.
service over the Municipality area, to
Satellite monitoring based on Sentinel-1
exploit Copernicus Sentinel-1 SAR data and
data also allowed the creation of a Benefits to Citizens
Persistent Scatterers (PS) techniques for
“Warning” service, i.e. an early warning, to Monitoring is essential for assessing and Claudio La Mantia1, Concetta Meli,
monitoring landslide risks in urban areas.
alert authorities about the accumulation of predicting landslides or ground structural Salvatore Stamilla2
The space based solution instability factors in the areas of interest weaknesses, which could affect buildings, 1. Planetek Italia, Italy
and thus to concentrate on these areas infrastructures and citizens safety. 2. Comune di Niscemi, Italy
Today, satellite surveys allow: the measurement precise diagnostic actions and any other
Using Copernicus Sentinel-1 images and lamantia@planetek.it
of millimetric surface deformations; the study interventions intended to prevent or mitigate
of the evolution of displacements in time; PS techniques, the Rheticus® Displacement concettameli@comune.niscemi.cl.it
possible damage.
service complements traditional survey salvatorestamilla@comune.niscemi.cl.it
NEW FRONTIER FOR
EMERGENCY RESPONSE:
SATELLITE DATA
“ The satellite data planning
changes the way to prepare,
plan and respond to an
CIVIL PROTECTION
to create self-produced maps. The Copernicus

The space-based approach emergency, optimizing risk EMService is used to compare and to verify
gives an innovative instrument analysis and rescue operation the results of our map processing.
to improve rescue operations efficiency.”
Italy - Reggio Emilia 2017, multispectral image Outlook to the future
in terms of rapid mapping for (Sentinel) showing flooded areas, in light blue, near
identifying targets and priorities. Lentigione town due to Enza river flooding. Italian National Fire Corps The objective for the future: higher spatial
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] resolution and higher temporal incidence.
Improving the temporal incidence will give
cartographic survey of the affected area. more images, resulting in a more accurate
The challenge possible to define the amount of affected
The “Space-Based” approach for emergency
people to be rescued and to be displaced in analysis of the evolution of the event and a
The Italian National Fire and Rescue Service management, using small-scale geography, higher possibility of analysis to be integrated
safe accommodations.
guarantees a 24/7 response for any type allows a stronger awareness of the scenario with our daily data entry.
of emergency. For this purpose, the first In August 2017, in the Campania region, evolution and therefore a faster and more
requirement is the rapid identification of the a big forest fire occurred on the slopes of targeted operational response which provides A higher spatial resolution also provides a
affected area in order to define the amount Vesuvius. The delimitation of burned areas a more effective and efficient support to more realistic scenario.
of resources and minimise the time of provided data for monitoring the emergency the population. Delimitation of an affected The Italian National Fire and Rescue Service
deployment. evolution taking into account threatened area overlapped to, for example, population is improving their knowledge and skills in
infrastructures, available roads for rescues, density allows an estimate to be made of the using satellite data, optical and SAR products,
Consequently, a point of view not involved in
targets for aerial forest fire fighting vehicles, number of people affected and threatened in emergency and planning activities.
the operational scenario is fundamental. A
etc. It was also possible to collect data for and to optimise the planning phase of the
significant contribution to this approach is an
statistical purposes such as the type of assistance in terms of the number of rescuers
optical analysis of the affected area through
affected vegetation, the extent of the event and resources needed.
the Earth Observation programme.
and, the number of deployed Fire and Rescue
The space based solution Service teams, in order to improve the
planning process for future forest fire fighting
Two real emergencies affecting the Italian operations.
territory are described below. Data from
Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 were used to These two cases aim to show how the use
support the management function, and, of satellite data, a few hours after the event,
using multispectral bands (SWIR and false allow optimising the deployment of rescuers,
colour NDVI) it was possible to represent the reducing response times.
Italy - Vesuvio 2017, diachronic analysis with change
impact of floods and forest fires, two very Giuseppe Romano, Valentina Nocente
Benefits to Citizens detection method (Sentinel) showing burned areas,
different types of scenario. in red, due to forest fires occurring on the slopes of and Stefano Frittelli
The Italian National Fire Corp operates in the volcano during last summer.
During December 2017, the Emilia Romagna Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco
every regional area, coordinated by a Central Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2017]
region was affected by flooding. The Central Emergency Directorate
Emergency Directorate, a few minutes
delimitation of the flooded area compared As mentioned above, we need emergency Rome, Italy
after events. In the Central Emergency
to a land use map allowed the identification mapping a few hours after the event, hence Email: giuseppe.romano@vigilfuoco.it
Directorate, we activate a technical team
of the civil and commercial buildings, streets EO Data are necessary as soon as possible, valentina.nocente@vigilfuoco.it
that immediately made a plan based on a
and highways involved. In this way, it was just after the acquisition by satellite in order stefano.frittelli@vigilfuoco.it
SENTINEL-1 MONITORS
GEOHAZARDS TO SECURE
CITIZENS’ HOMES
“ Thanks to Sentinel-1 we can
monitor landslides threatening
citizens’ homes more reliably
CIVIL PROTECTION
work. All maintained without the prior need

Sentinel-1 enables operational and with unprecedented for equipment or human presence at the area
monitoring of structures threatened detail.” of interest.
by landslides and subsidence Such operational monitoring can help prevent
Dr. Pavel Liscak,
over the large area of the Upper State Geological Institute emergency situations and economic losses
Nitra region, Slovakia. Effectively, due to structural damage, help to assess
precisely and at low cost merit. remediation works of the State Geological
Landslides detected over three villages in Upper Nitra Survey, or assist with the responsibilities of
region. Affected structures shown in red, stable in individual structures and infrastructure, which the mining companies as well as regional
The challenge green. can ensure advanced situation awareness
authorities.
Slope deformations are the most significant during evolving and complex deformation
geohazards in Slovakia which cause extensive Using advanced radar interferometry processes like landslides, building collapses, Outlook to the future
economic damage on an annual basis, technique InSAR and regularly utilising all road disruptions or land subsidence as a Sentinel 1 InSAR complements conventional
seriously limiting the rational use of land and radar images acquired by the Sentinel-1 pair consequence of active under mining. ground-based landslide monitoring
in some cases also threatening property and over the desired area of interest, we can
techniques. Once the presented service
the health of residents in the affected areas. observe recent ground movements. As shown
becomes fully operational, it can further
in an example image (above) of several
Especially in the region of Upper Nitra, extend its regional application capability to
villages in the Upper Nitra region, for every
Central Slovakia, notable for its landslide monitor cultural heritage (e.g. Bojnice castle),
coloured point corresponding to the particular
susceptibility over 60% of the territory, to help assess the complex environmental
man-made structure or infrastructure, we
which is further impaired by intensive coal impact of under mining or become an integral
derive precise displacement time series in
mining activity. part of the regional urban planning policy.
millimetres per year, thus forming a “natural
Conventional in situ monitoring techniques GPS network” with measurements going Acknowledgements
provide only point-wise information of the back to the end of 2014.
landslide’s activity, however, they lack efficient Sentinel-1 data are provided by the European
This way, we can remotely detect and Commission and ESA under the free, full and
and timely updates. To reduce the risks, we monitor hundreds of objects endangered Detail of village Hradec in first figure: Displacement
need to respond to emergencies faster and time series showing 3 cm/year subsidence over open data policy adopted for the Copernicus
by landslide activity simultaneously, whilst programme. The authors would like to thank
more accurately over the entire region. being independent of cloud coverage or
building disrupted by landslide. Each dot represents
satellite’s acquisition. the State Geological Institute of Dionyz Stur
daylight thanks to the radar nature of the and Hornonitrianske bane Prievidza, a.s.
The space based solution Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2018]
Sentinel-1 satellites. Moreover, the satellite’s
Monitoring of mass-wasting geohazards weekly revisit allows for frequent updates, In comparison to labourious and costly in
like landslides and land subsidence due to thus empowering the operational capability situ measurements, it brings unprecedented
under mining has been marked by the new of the technique. spatial coverage as well as guaranteed
perspective thanks to the Europe’s Copernicus updates and may, therefore, potentially
programme Sentinel-1 radar satellites. Benefits to Citizens reduce operating costs by several million Dr. Matus Bakon, Richard Czikhardt
Extended spatial coverage of this EO mission Our emerging monitoring service based on euro. More detailed and frequent surveillance and Dr. Juraj Papco
covers the entire Upper Nitra region spanning Sentinel-1 EO data will provide continually means better safety conditions for citizens, insar.sk, Slovak Republic
more than thousand square kilometres in a updated information on the stability of and as such can help identify and prioritise Email: matusbakon@insar.sk s.r.o.
single image. buildings requiring field inspection or repair richard.czikhardt@stuba.sk
THE PHLEGREAN FIELDS
CALDERA: A HISTORY OF
DEFORMATION
“ Satellite ground deformation
measurements provide a
useful complement to the
CIVIL PROTECTION
of deformation activity, as for the Phlegrean

The deformation history of the in-situ volcano monitoring Fields, monitoring data may help in the
Phlegrean Fields volcano imaged infrastructures.” assessment and then timely communication
through ESA and Copernicus of information about the volcanic hazards.
satellites. F. Bianco, INGV-OV CNR-IREA routinely provides the ground
deformation measurements derived from S1
data to DPC and the volcano observatory of
of 2 fully operational satellites and acquires
the National Geophisycs and Volcanology
new data, on land, every 6 days with the
Institute (INGV-OV). Based on the history
The challenge Interferometric Wide Swath mode, which
of the Phlegrean Fields and the analysis of
guarantees a very large footprint and is
the monitoring data from in-situ and space-
Located west of the densely populated city of specifically devoted to DInSAR applications.
borne sensors, the scientists can determine
Naples (Italy), the Phlegrean Fields caldera is Mean deformation velocity map in satellite Line of As an example of the S1 potential, the
the possible ascent of magma towards the
one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the sight (LOS) obtained by exploiting ERS/ENVISAT SAR figure below shows the deformation in the
surface. This type of knowledge helps them
world. The caldera is the result of two major data on Phlegrean Fields from 1992 to 2010. 2014–2018 period measured at Phlegrean
to figure out the possible types of volcanic
eruptions, which occurred approximately 37 ka Fields, which experienced a resumption of
DInSAR, it is possible to detect and monitor activity and the associated hazards to
and 12 ka ago, respectively. Starting from the the uplift.
any kind of deformation on Earth surface, such people. This information is crucial for DPC
end of the 1960’s, the caldera has experienced
as the one induced by earthquakes, landslides to determine which alerts and policies are
rapid, large amplitude uplift episodes followed
and volcanoes, as in the case of the Phlegrean needed to prevent loss of life and property.
by long-term subsidence. In particular, during
the 2012—2013 interval, the caldera has Fields. DInSAR clearly benefits from the
availability of long-time SAR archives, because Outlook to the future
shown a rapid uplift of about 11 cm. This event
led the Italian Civil Protection Department of the possibility to follow the evolution of the The Copernicus Sentinel programme is a
(DPC) to increase the monitoring activities to ground deformation. The figure above shows fundamental instrument for natural hazard
the level 2 in a range of 4 (where 4 represents the mean deformation velocity map generated monitoring, thanks to the free access to a data
the maximum alert). Accordingly, to keep one on Phlegrean Fields by exploiting the ESA archive that is routinely acquired at global
of the areas with the highest volcanic risk in ERS and ENVISAT SAR data acquired since scale.
the world under control, one of the greatest 1992 and 2002, respectively. The plot of the
displacement time series shows the evolution Acknowledgements
challenges is the continuous monitoring of
several volcano parameters and, amongst of the deformation of the caldera and clearly This work has been supported by the DPC-
others, the surface deformation. demonstrates the importance of disposing of IREA agreement, the EU-H2020 EPOS-IP
long-term SAR archives for monitoring high project (GA No. 676564), the ESA GEP project
The space based solution risky areas. It is indeed worth noting that the and the I-AMICA project (PONa3_00363).
current DInSAR scenario is characterised by Vertical deformation velocity map obtained by
Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) is a
the huge availability of SAR data acquired by exploiting Sentinel-1 SAR data on Phlegrean Fields
well-established microwave remote sensing
several satellite constellations. In particular, from 2014 to 2018.
technique that, by exploiting two SAR images M. Bonano, R. Castaldo, F. Casu, C. De Luca, V.
starting from 2014, the Copernicus Sentinel-1 Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2018]
acquired at different times, allows estimation De Novellis, R. Lanari, M. Manunta, M. Manzo,
(S1) satellites are supplying a massive SAR
of ground deformation that has occurred Benefits to Citizens S. Pepe, G. Solaro, P. Tizzani and I. Zinno
data flow thanks to their global coverage
between the two acquisitions with centimetre CNR-IREA, Italy
acquisition strategy. S1 constellation consists When a volcano shows new or unusual signs
to millimetre accuracy. Therefore, by using Email: casu.f@irea.cnr.it
USE OF COPERNICUS
EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT SERVICE
“ This application has
contributed a small but
important part to the safety
CIVIL PROTECTION
decisions. Both above mentioned uses of

DURING SLEET of the citizens of Slovenia.” Copernicus data also contributed to the safety
IN SLOVENIA Katja Banovec Juroš, Administration of the
of the citizens of Slovenia in both NUTS 2
Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and regions (Eastern and Western Slovenia).
Slovenia was hit by severe sleet
Disaster Relief of the Slovenia
followed by floods in January Outlook to the future
2014. Ljubljansko barje flooded on 14 February 2014 at With new Sentinel missions and other
9.39 UTC with SPOT-6 optical satellite with a local functional improvements of Copernicus
resolution of 1.5 meters. Emergency Management Service the provided
The challenge Source: Copernicus Emergency Management System data will be more accurate and delivered
The frequency and intensity of natural disasters courses caused the flooding of Karst fields with shorter timeframe between order of
in Slovenia is unfortunately still rising. Rapid and Ljubljansko barje. Experiences from the the service and scanning of the terrain. With
technological development of remote sensing previous Copernicus activations showed that more precise and reliable maps also the
services enables improvement in the control due to the time lag between sending the response of the rescuers and other services
and monitoring of extraordinary phenomena, request and the actual scanning, especially would be more efficient.
thus allowing the relevant services to provide in the case of flash floods, it was not able
a faster and more effective disaster response to provide a satisfactory picture of the
Acknowledgements
whilst on the other hand supports analysts situation of the pick of the flood. Thus, the Flooding of Cerknica Field, shot with COSMO-SkyMed Copernicus has provided a valuable
in their work. The Slovenian national contact Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for satellite in radar spectrum, 13 February 2014 at 4.50 contribution to the implementation of the
point for Copernicus Emergency Management Civil Protection and Disaster Relief cooperated UTC, local resolution 3 meters; background: air digital Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
Service, the Administration for Civil Protection closely with the Slovenian Environment orthophoto recordings (2009-2012) © ARSO 2015-2030. Also in this way, we all build a
and Disaster Relief of the Republic of Agency which monitored the development society that is more resilient to disasters and
Slovenia, has been involved in monitoring the of the weather and assessed the likelihood Benefits to Citizens contribute to a world that is a safer place to
development of the European Commission of flooding. According to the Slovenian The first maps, which were available within live in.
and European Space Agency initiative for Environment Agency experts, after several two to three hours after the scan, were used
global monitoring of the environment from days of monitoring the weather and weather by the responsible authorities for the first
its beginning being aware of the benefits the forecasts and the situation on the ground, the assessment of the situation on the ground
solution can bring. floods of the Cerknica and Planinsko polje, which, in combination with data received
the Ljubljansko barje and the surroundings from other sources, led to more reliable
The space based solution of Knežak were expected to reach their peak response of the teams on the ground.
On Friday, January 31st 2014, the majority on 12 and/or 13 March. The completed order
form was sent to the Emergency Response Although the Copernicus licensing policy did
part of Slovenia was affected by extremely
Coordination Center in Brussels on Tuesday, not permit the public distribution of raw
unfavourable weather conditions with heavy
11 February, at 13.43, with the attached kml- satellite imagery to users for further analysis,
snow and sleet affecting the southwest of
files of the sites and in accordance with the the vector data prepared on their basis
Slovenia the most. This situation continued
harmonised protocol. was publicly available for use in the further
until February 6, when the temperature rose
processing of national public and research
above the freezing point and caused quick Katja Banovec Juroš
institutions. The results of the analysis
melting, which combined with the rain and Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for
allowed decision makers to support their
debris of the destroyed trees in the water Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, Slovenia
WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT
ON THE CROATIAN
TERRITORY
“ The application of this method
will greatly accelerate
the fire extinguishing time
CIVIL PROTECTION
fire event and can be applied to strategies

Wildfire management is one and facilitate the movement and policies for prevention, forecasting,
of the essential tasks for local of firefighters within mitigation and management of wildfire
authorities, especially those wich the affected area.” events. Besides that, the obtained data can
are in high-risk areas. Copernicus contribute to monitoring of the environment
Fire Department of the Split-Dalmatia county recovery, which is extremely important for
free spatial data can help
fields such as agronomy and forestry. All of
manage and solve this task. Fire affected areas (blue) in 2017 on Croatian
this is aimed at improving the life and safety
territory based on EFFIS data.
Credit: Contains data downloaded from EFFIS for 2017 of citizens during wildfire events and for the
The challenge faster recovery of the affected areas and the
affected by wildfire scarring. The obtained
environment.
Every year, an area of 350 mill. hectares is data were processed using SNAP and QGIS
occupied by fire, of which 90% are forest software (open source). EFFIS was used to Outlook to the future
fires. In Europe, due to climatic conditions, roughly locate the location, time, and area of
the most endangered is the Mediterranean the wildfire. After locating the fire, images of Products obtained using these methods
area. Croatia is one of the countries with the area before and after the wildfire event can benefit both GIS and other, non-
a high risk of forest fires (47% of the land were downloaded from the Sentinel Scientific GIS users. They enable overlapping with
surface consists of forest). In 2017, 104 Hub (Sentinel-2 level C – 1 products) and used other data depending on the interest in
forest fires were recorded in Croatia causing for detailed analysis. Initial processing, such use. Besides fire management institutions
economic damage of around € 60 million. as, resampling, band merging and subset and local authorities, these methods can
Two large forest fires in June last year hit export was carried out in SNAP followed by also contribute to the improvement of
the area of the Makarska Riviera in only the Normalized Burn Ration (NBR) technique work in other institutions such as police
two days, covering an area of 325 hectares. which was applied on images to highlight administration, environmental protection
Local authorities have been shown that the areas covered by fire. RGB true colour agencies, civil protection, agricultural and
free access to Copernicus satellite missions imaging was also used for a better view of forestry agencies, national parks, insurance
data and EFFIS systems (European Forest the environment. The final product includes companies and many others.
Fire Information System) can contribute to wildfire maps of the affected areas which can
predicting fire hazards, mapping wildfires Acknowledgements
be used for better understanding, analysing
and improving wildfire management which and preventing fire events, as well as for The Croatian territory is affected with more
contributes to the economic aspect as well as improving post-fire operations. Overview of processed images of wildfire in the than 100 wildfires every year and these
the human protection. area of the Makarska Riviera before (a) and after methods will improve prevention and fire
Benefits to Citizens (b) fire, based on NBR technique and defining steps protection as well as enabling a faster and
The space based solution (c) towards final product of wildfire maps” should better response in areas affected by fires for
Remote sensing methods play a significant be shortened to: “Overview of processed images of
Free and open data Copernicus solutions role in all aspects of wildfire management. local authorities.
wildfire in the area of the Makarska Riviera before (a)
which can improve wildfire management and Copernicus provides free spatial data, and its and after (b) fire, based on NBR technique.
achieve more efficiently, reliably and quickly images can be used for making significant Credit: Contains Sentinel data [2017] Zvonimir Nevistić and prof. Željko Bačić
detecting of wildfires and analysing of affected maps for better risk assessment of the Faculty of Geodesy, University of Zagreb,
areas are presented to local authorities. The especially for firefighters and other units that
affected areas and the environment. Croatia
solution is based on the use of Sentinel-2 need to bring a fire under control as soon as
Email: znevistic@geof.hr
imagery and EFFIS to identify areas of land Such maps can provide a wealth of information, possible. They can enable analysis after the
zbacic@geof.hr
Transports, Civil Public Health Cultural Agriculture, Biodiversity and Territorial Climate, Water Civil Protection
Infrastructure Heritage, Food, Forestry Environmental Management and Energy
and Safety Tourism and and Fisheries Protection and Urban
Leisure Planning
TRANSPORTS, CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY
Roads, airports, bridges, sea lanes, ports… All countries need efficient transport systems and
reliable infrastructures if they are to prosper and provide a decent standard of living for their
populations, and ensuring passenger safety is a priority for public authorities. Whilst safety and
national assets are managed at national level, regional and local authorities in Europe frequently
have competencies related to building and maintenance of local networks: ports and harbours,
planning, construction and maintenance of roads and transport infrastructure, public transport
typically fall into the competences of the regions.
Over land, Copernicus supports improved planning and management of civil infrastructure and the
prevention of future damages through information on the topography and on instabilities of the
terrain surface that may arise due to e.g. subsidence, sliding or underground natural or human
induced activities (such as public utility works, gas and/or water pumping). More specifically,
interferometric techniques applied to Sentinel-1 imagery allow the detection of millimetre-scale
surface displacements that could threaten the integrity and safety of built infrastructures with
regular and unprecedented frequency. Over sea, Copernicus data and information can support
maritime safety: for example, the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service produces
forecasts of oceanic currents and estimates of sea ice concentrations/drifts, whilst data from
Sentinel-1 are widely used to support shipping through icy waters and for maritime surveillance
activities such as the ones provided by the Copernicus Security Service.
Oslo train station subsidence analysis as performed using data from the Sentinel-1
satellite acquired between 26 December 2014 and 28 October 2016.
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2014–16) / ESA SEOM INSARAP study
/ InSAR Norway project / NGU / Norut / PPO.labs, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

A VILLAGE STRICKEN BY Alsace
Bas-Rhin S1 4/5
TERRAIN MOVEMENTS (Alsace)
COPERNICUS SENTINELS HELP Bucharest South Muntenia -
S1, S2 2
VESSEL TRAFFIC MONITORING (Ilfov Bucaresti) Teleorman County
Iceland
IMPROVING SNOW AVALANCHE County of Troms
Italy S1 4
FORECASTING (Troms Land)
Switzerland
MONITORING THE HEALTH
Apulia
OF WATER & SEWERAGE Lombardy S1 5
(Puglia)
NETWORKS
SATELLITE-BASED MARITIME
Brittany European maritime
SURVEILLANCE SERVICES IN S1 5
(Bretagne) areas
EUROPE
SMARTPHONE APPLICATION
Malta
DELIVERING METEO-MARINE Malta CMEMS 5
Sicily
DATA TO THE PUBLIC
* Copernicus data sources mentioned in the user stories. Acronyms refer to: S1: Sentinel-1; S2: Sentinel-2;
CMEMS: Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service.
Region of affiliation of the lead Author and Main region of application of the User Story as declared
by the Authors.
A VILLAGE STRICKEN BY
“ This remote sensed technique TRANSPORTS, CIVIL
INFRASTRUCTURE
TERRAIN MOVEMENTS has transformed the way we AND SAFETY
The Sentinel-1 radar satellites are monitoring this particular
Risk prevention and mitigation are major
capacities in detecting and problem for which a long-term societal challenges, such as the sustainable
measuring small ground surface
survey will be necessary.” management of resources and territories.
movements allow the provision
Therefore the EUGENIUS Association is
of quantified expertise to Frank Pouvreau, Direction départementale
federating skills and interoperable tools
des territoires du Bas-Rhin, French Ministry
decision makers. of Ecological and Solidarity Transition from different European partners in order to
respond in the most effective way to these
issues.
The approach having been validated, the
The challenge State services asked for the monitoring of the Outlook to the future
Lochwiller, an Alsatian village in the Grand Houses affected by terrain movements in the village affected sector to be continued and also to
of Lochwiller (Alsace- France) apply it on another Alsatian village where a With these swelling phenomena having a
Est region, Northeastern France, is affected
similar phenomenon has started. continuous evolution, and upon user request,
by severe land elevation movement because a technical platform of the ICube laboratory the monitoring of the two villages will be
of the swelling of a geological layer reaching of Strasbourg University), associated with pursued after the H2020 project.
an underground water table, during a sub- the Italian company, Planetek, has thus
surface geothermal drilling activity. Houses proposed to the deconcentrated service of Through its regular observation frequency
are cracking and families are obliged to leave the French Ministry of Environment, in the capacity, the Copernicus programme space
their homes. Grand Est region, a pilot project based on the infrastructure offers new possibilities for
exploitation of interferometric data, acquired the monitoring of vast territories and the
The State services need to monitor the
by the Sentinel-1 radar satellites, which measurement of spatialised indicators
evolution of the phenomenon that the
allow the detection of millimeteric ground previously inaccessible by ground-based
technical services cannot stop and, with
displacements. With the use of Persistent observation means. The interferometric
insurance companies, promote a policy
Scatter Interferometry technique, regular techniques presented here can also be applied
of compensation for those affected. The
monitoring of the behaviour of permanent to subsidence problems, such as the ones
municipality is trying to establish a plan both
reflectors over time, has been set up and occurring in the mining sectors, related to
to prevent the growth of abandoned housing
performed. The height variations measured karst environments or underground activities.
and to decide on its future urbanisation policy
around the disaster area. Therefore, decision with the use of more than twenty satellite
Acknowledgements
makers are seeking relevant indicators to acquisitions during the first year (Sentinel-1A Spatial representation of the swelling phenomenon
support a strategy that will directly depend data), and more than fifty observations during in the Lochwiller most affected area (Alsace-France) This project has received funding from the EU
on the evolution, in space and time, of the the second year (Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1B H2020 research and innovation programme
Benefits to Citizens under grant agreement No 730150 EUGENIUS
surface instability phenomenon. data), made it possible to detect the lifting
of the surface related to the swelling of The approach presented here benefits citizen H2020-EO-2016.
The space based solution the anhydrite layer pierced by drilling, and on several levels. Allowing for the monitoring
also, to map and measure the extent of the and quantifying of a phenomenon causing
The EUGENIUS H2020 project combines in a
phenomenon. Compared to observations and property damage, even human ones, it N. Tholey 1, J. Maxant 1, P. de Fraipont 1 and
common catalogue of services the expertise
field surveys, measurements derived from contributes to the risk assessment mission of D. Iasillo 2
of several remote sensing operators for the
spatial data were also calibrated. Maximum the state services, and to the drawing up of 1. ICube-SERTIT, France
benefit of their region. SERTIT (SErvice Régional
vertical displacement measures could reach the request for compensation which is paid 2. Planetek, Italy
de Traitement d’Image et de Télédétection,
140 mm/year around the drilling. by the insurance guarantee fund.
Email: nadine.tholey@icube.unistra.fr
COPERNICUS SENTINELS
“ The main purpose was to TRANSPORTS, CIVIL
INFRASTRUCTURE
HELP VESSEL TRAFFIC identify the ships that are AND SAFETY
MONITORING not equipped with Automatic
Sentinel satellites imagery is Identification System, and the
Integration of Copernicus data into RIS will
used by local authorities to Sentinel images have proved contribute to better vessel traffic monitoring
monitor navigation and manage extremely useful.” considering the inland waterway and the
Ships queuing along the Danube due to low water level.
traffic in Southeastern Europe, on © ugal.ro 2015 main navigation operations such as, lock
the Romanian Danube sector. Ion Nedelcu, operation, port operation, bridge operation
long time needed by the ships to cross the Romanian Space Agency
and others.
Romanian channel.
The integration and use of Sentinels together
The challenge With the help of the European Space Agency Benefits to Citizens with inland vessel traffic services would
(ESA) experts and mission managers, the first
Navigation on the Danube river is limited In 2017, AFDJ reported a significant increase prevent the development of dangerous
available Sentinel 1 and Sentinel 2 (still in
by the presence of sand banks (dry summer in the number of ships transporting goods on vessel traffic situations by managing traffic
the commissioning phase at that time) were
periods) and ice banks (very cold winter the Danube – 1863 ships in 2017 compared movements, providing safety and efficient
processed and sent to AFDJ. Image data
time), phenomena that have an important with 1771 ships in 2016, which also translates movement of vessel traffic within the VTS
was mainly used for identifying the crowded
impact on navigation safety, continuity into an increase of revenues for both the area.
points and to count the ships queuing on the
and effectiveness of goods and passengers Danube. Thanks to the satellite images of 2nd administration and the commercial sector. Where appropriate, selecting SAR (Synthetic
transport operations. and 9th of August, it became immediately Aperture Radar) sensors take opportunities
In July–August 2015, most of the European obvious that many more ships were on the disregarding the day / night or weather
continent experienced daily temperatures Danube than initially reported based on the conditions, reducing the effort on the
above 34 - 35° C and absolute maximum AIS (Automatic Identification System) data delineation of navigation obstacles over the
values above 40° in many areas (e.g. 46.2° (some 100 or more ships). river surface. It is possible to grant multiple
C in southern Romania). Combined with daily opportunities for acquisitions and in
The combined use of Sentinel-1 and
a significant reduction of rainfall, this led so doing widen the portfolio of higher value
Sentinel-2 information allowed the Romanian
to atmospheric and soil drought and low products available.
Lower Danube River Administration to
water levels of the Danube River. The low monitor navigation at critical points such as
water level advanced the narrowing of the those close to Zimnicea until the end of the
navigation path at Zimnicea (567 kilometer), drought period. Ships queuing along the Danube river near
causing ships to wait in a row before crossing the Romanian town of Zimnicea. Captured by
the area. The results have been published on the
Sentinel-1A on 2 August 2015.
European Space Agency and Romanian Space Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data
The space based solution Agency websites. [2015]/ESA
During the hot summer of 2015, the Romanian The User Maturity Level is represented by
Lower Danube River Administration (AFDJ) the ad-hoc use phase, where the Copernicus- Earth Observation satellite data proved to be
and Romanian Space Agency (ROSA) were in based solution has been used with no explicit very useful for helping continuous monitoring
contact and worked closely to find a reliable interest from the regional authority to trial of the ship traffic in order to avoid navigation
consistent usage. problems. They can further improve the Maria Ioana Vlad Sandru, Violeta Poenaru,
solution for characterizing the ship traffic
on the Danube. Everything started from the functionality of existing navigation systems, Ion Nedelcu and Alina Radutu
notice sent by the authorities relating to the accuracy of sailing management information Romanian Space Agency, Romania
and dissemination of information. Email: ioana.vlad@rosa.ro
IMPROVING SNOW
“ Avalanche detections from TRANSPORTS, CIVIL
INFRASTRUCTURE
AVALANCHE FORECASTING radar satellite data decrease AND SAFETY
We solve the problem of the uncertainty of our
complete snow avalanche activity avalanche forecasts.”
monitoring in forecasting regions From winter 2018-2019, our service will
Rune Engeset, be transferred to the Norwegian Avalanche
in Norway by automatically Norwegian Avalanche Warning Service, NVE Centre thus becoming fully operational.
detecting snow avalanches in Within the next two years, we plan to expand
radar satellite data provided from the current three to all 22 forecasting
3D view of a Sentinel-1 radar backscatter image with
by Sentinel-1 satellites. avalanches visible in the foreground in light grey.
task carried out by an expert. Our avalanche regions in Norway.
activity datasets decrease the uncertainty
of the forecast, as released avalanches With the worldwide availability of Sentinel-1
The challenge In our pre-operational service, we process
are the best available sign of prevailing data, our service can be established in any
all Sentinel-1 images over three forecasting avalanche forecasting region in the world.
Snow avalanches (hereinafter called avalanche hazard. This gives the forecasters
regions in Norway and automatically detect
avalanches) pose a threat to people and an improved tool for their risk assessment Besides the monitoring service described,
all avalanches. About half an hour after the
infrastructure in Norway. Daily, public risk and ultimately a higher quality avalanche avalanche detections could also assist in
Sentinel images are available, the detected
assessments (so-called avalanche forecasts) forecast for the end users. The ultimate goal emergency response situations in remote
avalanches are stored in a geodatabase
are carried out for large forecasting regions. of an avalanche forecast is to prevent fatal areas struck by extreme avalanche cycles.
with a time stamp, location information and
A defining parameter of avalanche hazard is avalanche accidents. Our service contributes Lastly, the long-term collection of avalanche
spatial extent. Forecasters of the Norwegian
avalanche activity, i.e. how many avalanches to achieving this important goal. activity offers the opportunity to conduct
Avalanche Warning Service, who use the
of which type and size release in a certain area climate-related studies
avalanche activity as an important information
during a certain time period? This seemingly
tool in their daily risk assessment, can access
easy question is impossible to answer Acknowledgements
the database. During the winter 2016-2017,
with traditional, field-based observation This pre-operational service, based on
we increased the number of avalanche
techniques. This is where the benefit of Copernicus data, is a joint project between
observations by a factor of ten, from about
radarsatellite data comes in, providing the the independent research company Norut,
900 field observations to over 12,000 satellite
opportunity to detect avalanches consistently the Norwegian Avalanche Centre at NVE and
observations of avalanches.
during a winter within a forecasting region. the Norwegian Public Road Administration,
Benefits to Citizens financed by the Norwegian Space Centre.
Public, regional avalanche forecasts mainly
The Sentinel-1 radar satellites provide daily
target two user groups: Winter backcountry
images over Norway. Their free availability,
users, the group with the vast majority of
high spatial resolution, large ground swath
avalanche fatalities, and public entities,
and all weather, all light capabilities make
responsible for infrastructure planning and
them perfect observation tools of avalanches. Map showing detected avalanches (yellow) during
road safety. Both user groups use the forecast winter 2016-17 on the island of Kvaløya in Northern
Avalanche debris, the depositional part of
as a risk reduction measure, depending Norway
avalanches is detectable in SAR images M. Eckerstorfer 1, E. Malnes 1, H. Vickers 1, K.
greatly on its accuracy and predictive power. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2015]
owing to their rough surface reflecting more Müller 2, R. Engeset2, and T. Humsta3
However, avalanche forecasting is inherently
energy and thus supplying more information 1. Norut, Norway
forecasting of uncertainty expressed in
back to the satellites than the surrounding, 2. NVE, Norway
probabilities of avalanche release. Moreover,
undisturbed snow. 3. Staten Vegvesen, Molde, Norway
it is a complex, synoptic decision making
Email: markus.eckerstorfer@norut.no
MONITORING THE
“ We found satellite radar TRANSPORTS, CIVIL
INFRASTRUCTURE
HEALTH OF WATER AND interferometry the most AND SAFETY
SEWERAGE NETWORKS accurate and affordable survey
Operators of water and sewage networks
Copernicus Sentinel-1 SAR data method to prevent and detect spend a lot of money maintaining their
were used to detect and monitor potential sewer and water network and fighting against water leakages
ground displacements near network failures.”
or structural problems. Based on Copernicus
Milan’s public sewerage network data, Rheticus® delivers an automated
information service to municipal bodies,
in Italy, to discover damage to Andrea Aliscioni, MM SpA
Subsidence in urban area induced by water network helping them pinpoint where leaks are most
the actual water infrastructure. likely and prioritize their response teams.
leakage. Credits: meadowsaffron on flickr
subsidence phenomena from various open data
The challenge movements; determining the horizontal sources into an interactive and comprehensive Outlook to the future
and vertical displacement speed of points; dashboard, to achieve insightful and
The public sewer network of Milan runs The monitoring of environmental resources is
performing multi-scale analyses; and purpose-built contents from many different
for approximately 1500 km. MM SpA is the taking advantage of the increased availability
integrating other data sources. perspectives. Users gain immediate and
engineering company 100% owned by the of satellite data from the Copernicus
Satellite radar interferometry resulted in reliable geo-information, including weekly and Programme. New satellite missions planned
Municipality of Milan, which manages the
being the most accurate and affordable summary information over wide areas, based by ESA and the European Commission in the
Integrated Water and Wastewater Services
survey method to prevent and detect on continual satellite monitoring, overcoming near future will provide further unique data
of the City of Milan, located in the Lombardy
potential sewerage failures, even in relation the difficulties and costs of field measurement sources for timely operational services.
region, Italy. MM had been searching for a
to the high traffic volume of metropolitan campaigns. Rheticus® Displacement generates
method to better understand the scenario Machine learning and deep learning are the
cities like Milan. Displacement was assessed reports, thematic maps and geo-analytics
of ground surface movements caused by the methodologies, which will be integrated in
over the subscribed area of interest by means based on Sentinel-1 data, meeting local to
structural defect of its collector that could future developments of Rheticus® services.
of measurements of velocity, acceleration and national content requirements in the field of
affect the area above the primary network These methodologies will allow the
coherence of Persistent Scatterers (PS). PS land, buildings or infrastructures monitoring
and adjacent areas. The purpose was to integration of heterogeneous data within
were identified and their velocity/acceleration to prevent potential damage to people and
prevent damage to surface structures (roads, the processing chain, collected from remote
measured through the extensively tested properties.
buildings, etc.) by detecting the movements sensing, the user, the Web and social
underway whose effects are not yet visible. SPINUA© algorithm applied on Sentinel-1
networks to improve forecast accuracy. The
For an assessment of the subsidence trend, a radar data. The Rheticus® Displacement
output will feed the decision support system
time series of past movements was required service owned by Planetek Italia was able to
of the end-user that will be able to take a
to build a past and future trend scenario. MM process satellite data over the area and to
decision based on accurate and predicted
also aimed for a cost-effective solution that provide thematic maps, dynamic geo-analytics
information.
did not require the installation of instruments and pre-set reports to MM. This service is
or their maintenance, and which was suitable currently used by several Integrated Water
for low budget and time-restricted surveys. and Wastewater management companies in
Italy and other EU countries, with clients like Vincenzo Massimi1, Giuseppe Forenza1 and
The space based solution Hera, ACEA, Iren, ABC Napoli, Aquafin and Andrea Aliscioni2
MPWIK. Milan, Italy. Screenshot of Rheticus® Displacement
Today, satellite surveys allow: measuring 1. Planetek Italia, Italy
interface pinpointing where leaks are most likely and
millimetric surface deformations; studying 2. MM SpA, Italy
Benefits to Citizens showing ground movements’ velocity acceleration
the evolution of displacements in time and trends. Email: massimi@planetek.it
and processing periodic trends, based on a Rheticus® Displacement simplifies the Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data forenza@planetek.it
series of acquired data, to identify non-linear detection, monitoring and analysis of [2014-2018]
aliscioni@metropolitanamilanese.it
SATELLITE-BASED
“ Forests are our planet’s green TRANSPORTS, CIVIL
INFRASTRUCTURE
MARITIME SURVEILLANCE lung, but oceans are its blue AND SAFETY
SERVICES IN EUROPE heart. It is now up to all of
VIGISAT services (Coville, Cammas, Joyon,
Since its creation, the operational us to keep this blue heart Guichard, Gabart). The benefit is not only for
VIGISAT centre has kept beating.” the sailing community but also the scientific
reinventing maritime surveillance community as VIGISAT has developed a
Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for unique knowledge of icebergs generation
by satellite. On 06/10/2015, VIGISAT supported FRONTEX Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
EUROSUR services. A SAR image acquired, processed mechanisms.
and analysed by VIGISAT enabled to relocate and
rescue 370 people aboard three rubber boats off
Lybian Coast (source FRONTEX) analysed the first case in Europe in a maritime In the future, maritime surveillance services
The challenge pollution prosecution using SAR imagery. The should include new applications such as
The Region of Brittany is very sensitive to the The space based solution satellite SAR image was used as primary the monitoring of massive stranding of
evidence to demonstrate that the pollution sargassum algae or new technologies such
oil spills at sea, considering its geographical The VIGISAT satellite ground receiving
was actually released by the culprit vessel as drones, big data and analytics.
unique location and past traumatic experience station was officially opened in Brest by
within the UK’s 12 nautical mile territorial sea.
of oil spill disasters such as Amoco Cadiz CLS, a French private company. Two regional
(1978), Erika (1999) and Prestige (2002) to projects successively supported this initiative: Another activity of great significance for the Acknowledgements
mention only the most important. In 2010, VIGISAT and VIGISAT-2. These projects are city of Brest is related to sailing races and The VIGISAT station is owned and operated
VIGISAT, the unique French ground receiving led by IMT Atlantique, a French Elite Graduate the world tour records attempts the start of by CLS, a French private Company, subsidiary
station of satellite radar high resolution School specialized in digital technology, which is given off Brest. Since 2008, VIGISAT of CNES (the French space agency), IFREMER
images, was selected as one of the service energy and environment, and supported by has developed and kept improving a unique (the French marine institute) and ARDIAN.
provider for CleanSeaNet, the pan-European Europe and local authorities from the Brittany iceberg detection and tracking service, that has
oil spill detection service implemented VIGISAT also participates to the regional
Region. They both aim at stimulating science been provided to the main round-the-world
by EMSA. Since then, VIGISAT has kept programs VIGISAT and VIGISAT2, supported
and education activities at regional level. sailing races (Vendée Globe, Barcelona World
becoming a major player of this service, not by public funds (FEDER, Région Bretagne,
Race, Volvo Ocean Race). Most of the sailors
In parallel, CLS was engaged in positioning Brest Métropole) and by Institut Mines
only to detect pollution, but also to identify attempting since then to beat the world tour
the VIGISAT infrastructure in the European Télécom, and managed by “Groupement
potential source of pollution. More recently, records both solo and crewed have used
network of ground stations involved in Bretagne Télédétection” (BreTel - Brittany
VIGISAT also supported FRONTEX through
operational near real time services. VIGISAT Remote Sensing).
its mission of maritime borders surveillance.
can rely on its capacity to acquire directly the
Eventually, VIGISAT has extended the scope
European Sentinel-1 constellation as well
of its activities in supporting EMSA in the
as the Canadian SAR (Synthetic Aperture
implementation of maritime surveillance, one
Radar) mission Radarsat-2. In addition, most
of the key element of the Copernicus Security
of the operational SAR missions such as
Service. In addition to the European services,
TerraSAR-X, COSMO-SkyMed and some optical
VIGISAT took the lead in pioneer services V. Kerbaol 1, R. Garello2, N. Bellec2
missions (e.g. Sentinel-2) can be processed
such as icebergs detection in the southern and P. Monbet3
and analysed at VIGISAT.
seas. All these challenges turned into 1. CLS Brest, France
The giant tabular iceberg A56 such as captured
achievements that contributed to consolidate Benefits to Citizens by the European Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite 2. IMT Atlantique – GIS BreTel, France
the strategic positioning of the regional and on 14/11/2016, after it broke up in the southern 3. Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique – Booster
local authorities in the domain of marine It was a great achievement when, on February Atlantic Ocean. MoreSpace, France
science and technology. 25, 2012, VIGISAT acquired, processed and Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data [2016]
Email: vincent.kerbaol@cls.fr
A SMARTPHONE
“ “Great app! Easy to navigate TRANSPORTS, CIVIL
INFRASTRUCTURE
APPLICATION DELIVERING and excellent visuals!” AND SAFETY
METEO-MARINE DATA TO Kristie Lormand, Android app user addition by a wide range of users, leading
THE PUBLIC to the generation of knowledge, supporting
Seafarers in the Malta-Sicily observations and the high-resolution sub-
service provision and economic activity.
Channel are just a few clicks regional and coastal scale operational Outlook to the future
away from access to meteo forecasting activities of the PO.Res.Grp in
and sea conditions for marine Malta. It is an example of how the merging of Besides fishermen and sailing enthusiasts,
KAPTAN is a smartphone application available on both KAPTAN also appeals to divers, surfers, beach
navigation and more. Android and iOS platforms.
national datasets to marine core data supplied
from CMEMS is leading to a proliferation tourists and coastal users in general. The
of dedicated services with downscaling to service is secured in the long term by the
The challenge numerical model forecasts. Sea surface current
PO.Res.Grp. Data is only worth by how much
maps are provided every hour at a spatial the geographical detail in demand by local
Mariners, fishermen and leisure craft owners communities, coastal users and national it is used. Produce data once, to be used by
resolution of 3 km x 3 km by the CALYPSO
are always in search of the most accurate and responsible entities. KAPTAN is showcasing many. This is a key added value of KAPTAN
HF radar network consisting of four CODAR
updated information on weather and marine the benefits of and need for sustained by making data easily and freely available
SeaSonde installations at selected sites on
conditions ahead of starting their voyages at marine observations in the coastal seas to not only to researchers, public authorities
the northern Maltese and southern Sicilian
sea. Seafarers navigating across the stretch complement the data acquired at regional and environmental agencies, but also to the
shores. Sea surface temperature satellite
of sea between Malta and Sicily, now have an level. Marine data and information services public for general consumption as a service
observations from the COPERNICUS Marine
aid for planning their journeys and safer trips. delivered by operational oceanography are to improve the quality of life. KAPTAN is a
Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS)
KAPTAN, the Maltese word for “Captain”, is triggering an unprecedented leap in the perfect example of such an approach, and
are added to high resolution 3-hourly maps
supplying this data on personal smartphones, economic value of met-ocean data, becoming exploits easily accessible and popular media
from weather and marine numerical models
making access to data easier and more direct, essential for managing marine resources to maximise the use of data and information
specific to the Malta-Sicily Channel, providing
based on marine and weather prediction efficiently, and feeding benefits to the marine- about the sea and atmosphere. The phone
a full suite of local scale meteo-marine
services, with higher resolution and local related industry and the services sectors. The app can be downloaded for free for both
reports, and complementing other weather
data. Just a few clicks on a phone app leads sharing and access to data, as a public good, Android and iOS devices (Google Play and
forecasts. The big difference is that KAPTAN
users to a suite of sea and weather data in is the basis for the use and re-use of data App Store on iTunes respectively). KAPTAN
provides maps and point data showing how
the form of interactive spatial maps providing to generate a multiplier effect, and for value exploits the good SatCom reception in the
the dynamical structures of the atmosphere
instantaneous user friendly and user defined region besides the 3G or 4G coverage up to
and the variability of sea surface currents,
access to prevailing conditions at sea as well 13 nautical miles from the coast.
temperature and waves evolve in space and
as short term past and forecast information.
with time, allowing the user to zoom and to Acknowledgements
KAPTAN is really an on board assistant, a
interact with a selection of specific waypoints
phone app created to serve local mariners. KAPTAN was supported by the CALYPSO
as well as to select the viewing of sea current
conditions along a user defined journey track. series of projects and will continue to be
The space based solution partially funded by the INTERREG V-A Italia-
Most importantly the users can get the
KAPTAN was developed within the CALYPSO specific data they need when they need it Malta programme (2014-2020) within the
project, an Italy-Malta cross-border and at no cost. CALYPSO South project.
cooperation initiative led by the Physical
Oceanography Research Group (PO.Res. Benefits to Citizens
Grp) within the Dept. of Geosciences at the Prof. Aldo Drago
KAPTAN is delivered by making use of and
University of Malta. The service integrates Screenshot of sea surface currents on the KAPTAN University of Malta, Malta
integrating data from CMEMS to local marine
real time observations with satellite data and online version. Email: aldo.drago@um.edu.mt
Civil Public Health Cultural Agriculture, Biodiversity and Territorial Climate, Water Civil Protection
re Heritage, Food, Forestry Environmental Management and Energy
Tourism and and Fisheries Protection and Urban
Leisure Planning
PUBLIC HEALTH
Public authorities at different levels are responsible for protecting and improving the health
of people and their communities. Even before healthcare and assistance, public health is to
be achieved e.g. by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention
solutions, and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases.
Copernicus provides disparate kinds of information useful to support public health policies,
especially in relation to air quality and respiratory diseases. As poor air quality continues to
prematurely claim the lives of millions of people every year, Copernicus provides an important
mean for better and more accurate ways of monitoring the air we breathe. For instance, the
Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite provides information about a range of trace gases that
affect air quality such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone, whilst the Copernicus
Atmosphere Monitoring Service delivers regular information and forecasts about air pollutants,
greenhouse gases and small particles such as dust, smoke and pollen. The Service also provides
forecasts of atmospheric ozone concentrations and UV radiation that can be harmful for the skin
and the eyes. Related to different policy areas, data from the Sentinel-3 mission help planners
to design cooler, more comfortable cities by delineating urban areas affected by severe heat
waves, whereas Sentinel-3 based water quality estimations and forecasts from the Marine
Environment Monitoring Service can help identify toxic algal blooms that could potentially hit
coastal areas and affect human activities such as bathing and fish farming. These data can
also support the identification of areas prone to the emergence and spread of vector borne
epidemics, such as malaria, which greatly depend on environmental factors such as water,
sanitation, food or air quality.
Sentinel-5P sees nitrogen dioxide over Europe

Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2017), processed by KNMI/ESA

AN AIR-QUALITY-APP FOR Berlin Berlin
CAMS, S5P 4
GERMANY Dessau Germany
MAPPING REAL-TIME
Achaea Western Greece -
AIRBORNE PARTICLE CAMS, S5P 2
(Αχαΐα) Achaea
POLLUTION
* Copernicus data sources mentioned in the user stories. Acronyms refer to: S5P: Sentinel-5 Precursor; CAMS:
Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.
by the Authors.
AN AIR-QUALITY-APP
FOR GERMANY
The German Environment Agency
“ We hope our APP will help
people plan their leisure time
activities whilst raising the
PUBLIC HEALTH

develops an air quality app. As public awareness of air quality.”
of summer 2018, citizens can use The app will be especially useful to inform users
Ute Dauert, in case of higher pollution. Then, people can
the modern media to quickly and German Environment Agency react and adjust their behaviour accordingly.
conveniently find out about the For example, the ozone concentration
air quality. Additionally, this app sets out to raise public increases under summer conditions with
awareness of air quality. App users will be intensive sunlight. If you belong to a higher
Particulate matter (PM10) concentration in µg/m³ able to compare forecasts with the limits and risk group, you can decide whether to reduce
predicted for 17.10.2017 00 UTC, CAMS ensemble or delay any outdoor activity like doing
The challenge target values of the Directive on Ambient Air
forecast. sports. The app provides this information
Credit: Contains Copernicus Service information [2017] Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe as well as
Air quality is an important issue nowadays, with recommendations of the World Health in the menu called “Verhaltensempfehlung“
especially in urban areas. It is monitored measurements of concentration of pollutants Organization. Exceedance has health and (eng. “Recommendations for behaviour”).
throughout Germany by the individual federal as well as satellite data are being used for financial consequences and the EU will sue
states and the German Environment Agency. With the development of the operational
the model calculations. The spatial resolution and monetary penalise the affected Member Sentinel, new air quality data becomes
Air quality is determined on the basis of the of models is set at a 15 x15 km grid. It can States.
amount of air pollutants. However, this data available. By using this data in the modelling,
be concluded - the row data is suitable for the model quality can be improved. The
only provides information for a single location. background. Therefore, we have corrected Sentinel-5 precursor was designed to provide
The German Environment Agency provides the the predicted concentration of pollutants. input-data for the Copernicus Atmosphere
general public with information in all areas Users can find this corrected forecast on our Monitoring Service (CAMS). We, the German
pertaining to the environment, including air app. The data obtained from the Copernicus Environment Agency, plan to continue to use
quality. For this purpose, modern media such Atmosphere Monitoring Service or satellite the forecast data from the CAMS in the future,
as, for example, the internet or apps, is used. data has a great advantage (in contrast not only for our app, but also for our website
For our app, we have used data from European to in-situ measurements) – it is spatial and our daily business.
modelling for the creation of an “air-quality- information. This spatial information will
app”, which is currently being developed and support us (the German Environment Agency, Acknowledgements
will be launched in the summer of 2018. Unit “Air”) in our daily business, for example,
in periods of high pollution concentration. We thank the German Aerospace Center for
The space based solution financial support and the promotion of our
Benefits to Citizens Two screenshots of air-quality-app, left information project. Our vote of thanks goes especially
The app will be used to forecast ambient about a location, right map with air quality classes. to Ms. Förster and Ms. Schultz-Lieckfeld,
concentrations of ozone, nitrogen dioxide The air quality app will serve to inform Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Service information without whose support the successful
and particulate matter (PM10). This back-end and warn citizens. The app is free. Thus, [2017] implementation of our project would not have
data will be downloaded from the Copernicus individuals (in possession of a smartphone) been possible.
Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), at home or on the road can get information The air quality information is described briefly
which indicates the daily production of near- on current, location-specific air quality. and simply, and, thus, is easily to understand
real-time European air quality forecasts with This information is of particular interest to by everyone. The information can be obtained
individuals belonging to higher risk groups, Jewgenia Bär and Ute Dauert
a multi-model ensemble system. In-situ quickly and conveniently.
measurements of meteorology value and the such as elderly people, pregnant women, German Environment Agency, Germany
forecast data, the emission sources, in-situ children and individuals with chronic diseases Email: jewgenia.baer@uba.de.
(for example, asthma). ute.dauert@uba.de.
MAPPING REAL-TIME
AIRBORNE PARTICLE
POLLUTION
“ The synergy of satellite-
based data from Sentinels,
forecasts from CAMS and
PUBLIC HEALTH
in monitoring and air pollution management.

Satellite observations and in- in-situ measurements of The aforementioned tools are freely
situ particulate matter (PM) airborne particulate matter provided to policymakers to set up alerts
measurements are used to make us confident we can and notifications and to take precautions
create maps and improve real to protect citizens’ exposure when high PM
provide air quality products at concentrations are predicted.
time monitoring, modelling and
forecasting performance. neighbourhood scale.” Patrasair.gr is a crowd-funded project. Since
its pilot operation, it has received significant
Daily mean prediction of airborne particles (μg/m3) Andreas Kazantzidis, University of Patras
attention from citizens and has been invited to
The challenge issued from CAMS with 0.1 degree resolution over many social events concerning environmental
Airborne particles constitute a major the greater area of Greece. education, air quality information campaigns/
attacks and premature death. Although there
atmospheric pollutant for local and regional is not a threshold below which no adverse programmes and the impact on the health of
providing estimations of airborne particle
air quality. The management of air pollution health impacts are observed, there are sensitive groups like children and the elderly.
concentrations across areas with limited
is still challenging in Greece and Patras in guidelines aimed at reducing the reduction
measurement availability. Outlook to the future
particular, due to lack of monitoring tools of PM concentrations. Studies show that
and complexity of sources (natural and Moreover, the patrasair.gr network uses Sentinel-5P and Sentinel-4 will provide key
anthropogenic) as well as topography. The results from the CAMS European air quality information for the improvement, as well as
adverse effects of aerosols on both climate forecast service over four days in order to for the sustainability of this application.
and human health are of great importance provide forecasts across the city of Patras. In
many cases, CAMS products are instrumental In this context, operational satellite-based
to atmospheric science studies. Satellite
in showing if the measured air pollution PM measurements with high spatial and
data combined with in-situ real time aerosol
by particles is caused by local or regional temporal analysis will be used in synergy with
concentration measurements are employed
sources. CAMS forecasts and in-situ instrumentation
to produce a high spatio-temporal analysis of
to face future air quality challenges.
particulate matter (PM) concentrations. Finally, PM values are reported in near-
The space based solution real time, as an operational service to the Acknowledgements
citizens and stakeholders. In compliance with
Patrasair.gr is a crowd-funded project. Special
Patrasair.gr is a real time PM concentration European Directives and the recommendations
thanks are given to individual citizens, the
monitoring network of certified and regularly of the World Health Organisation, the air Example map of air quality index at the ground-based
stations of PM across the city of Patras. Regional and Patras Harbour authorities and
calibrated sensors, implemented across quality index values are disseminated directly
the University of Patras for their support.
the city of Patras. Copernicus Atmosphere to the public.
Monitoring Service (CAMS) products require the proposed limits are exceeded both in
certified accuracy. Quality assured in-situ Benefits to Citizens urban and rural areas. Mapping real time PM
measurements can be used as a basis for Patras regularly suffers from poor air quality concentrations can be used for the promotion
the evaluation of CAMS products. Analysis, conditions due to emissions from traffic, of environmental education and awareness
modelling and forecast capabilities could of the citizens. Improvement of air quality Kazantzidis A., Kosmopoulos G. Salamaliks
agricultural products/biomass burning. Air
eventually be improved. The greater region pollution is associated with adverse effects modelling and forecasting capabilities is V., Tzoumanikas P. Katsidimas K.
of Western Greece lacks high density PM on human health. Inhaled airborne particles possible through the collaboration of CAMS Laboratory of Atmopsheric Physics, Physics
monitoring stations. Verified satellite-based can provoke respiratory diseases, heart forecasts and in-situ data. Authorities are Department, University of Patras, Greece
observations can overcome this problem also expected to be involved more actively Email: akaza@upatras.gr
lth Cultural Agriculture, Biodiversity and Territorial Climate, Water Civil Protection
Heritage, Food, Forestry Environmental Management and Energy
Tourism and and Fisheries Protection and Urban
Leisure Planning
CULTURAL HERITAGE, TOURISM AND LEISURE
The ensemble of natural, built and archaeological sites, monuments and historic cities, all
together constitute the roots of our culture and provide an immense source of leisure. Together
with natural parks and marine reserves, coastal areas and ski resorts, ever year, they attract
hundreds of millions of tourists from Europe and worldwide and constitute an important source
of revenues and jobs for the tourist industry. They constitute an excellent conduit for promoting
social inclusion and supporting cultural diversity. These sites must be maintained in the present
and, very importantly, preserved for the benefit of future generations. However, threats can
derive from disparate factors such as natural disasters, incautious management practices,
pollution and climate change.
Mont Saint-Michel, France In almost all Member States the local and regional authorities have shared competences with
The Bay of Mont Saint-Michel in northern France, a UNESCO world the national governments for Cultural Heritage, Leisure, Tourism and Sport. The European Union
heritage site subject to some of the biggest tides in continental
Europe, as observed by Sentinel-2 on May 08, 2018.
mostly supports the activities of the Member States by providing financial support, coordination
of joint projects and efforts, and sharing of knowledge. For instance, it has contributed to raising
Credits: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2017), awareness about preservation, conservation and restoration issues, technological research (for
processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
example 3D reconstructions) and scientific progress in technological solutions through the
Creative Europe Programme.
In this area, Copernicus, through the provision of information useful for the preservation of
the natural environment and for the improvement of land management practices, indirectly
supports tourism and leisure. The Programme was not designed to serve the specific cultural
heritage needs but, when applied to cultural landscapes, different types of Copernicus-derived
information can be considered potentially useful such as maps of land use changes and early
warnings for potential hazards and degradation risks (e.g. from subsidence, landslides, floods but
also air pollution etc.). The use of Earth observation data in the domains of tourism and cultural
heritage has increased over the last few decades but is not yet established and applications are
still limited to research and development projects.

MONITORING HERITAGE Italy (i) Hama, Syria; and (ii) 1
S2
AT RISK WITH SENTINEL-2 (Italia) Cyrenaica, Libya 3
PROTECTION OF EUROPEAN Italy
CULTURAL HERITAGE FROM UK Cyprus S1 3
GEO-HAZARDS Spain
* Copernicus data sources mentioned in the user stories. Acronyms refer to: S1: Sentinel-1; S2: Sentinel-2.
by the Authors.
MONITORING HERITAGE
AT RISK WITH
SENTINEL-2
“ … using satellite imagery
databases we are able to go
back in time and compare the
CULTURAL HERITAGE,
TOURISM AND LEISURE
damage at heritage sites of the Middle East

Sentinel-2 provides timely and status of cultural heritage areas and North Africa, and provide proof of concept
objective information to assess during different time intervals…” of the value that services based on regular
the condition of heritage sites at satellite monitoring could bring. Therefore,
UN Institute for Training and Research in an operational perspective, the condition
risk in the Middle East and North (UNITAR)
assessment of cultural heritage sites based
Africa. on Sentinel-2 time series would enable
Multi-temporal mapping of new archaeological looting heritage stakeholders to:
of buildings or excavation sites. Around
in the heritage site of Apamea in Syria, based on
Sentinel-2 images. the modern town of Shahat in Libya, this • p roduce weekly or monthly condition reports
The challenge approach allowed us to map the changing
Credit: Copernicus Sentinel data (2015-2017) and damage maps
During conflicts, cultural heritage sites are degree of exposure of vulnerable heritage and
systematically and globally with consistent • locate areas of major concern
vulnerable to illegal diggings by looters to identify a hotspot south of the UNESCO
parameters, spatial resolution of 10 m in
searching for goods to feed the clandestine World Heritage Site of Cyrene, close to the • anticipate where concerns may arise
the visible bands, and every few days (e.g.
market trafficking antiquities. In ordinary Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore.
5 days over the Mediterranean countries). This Sentinel-2 space-based solution could be
times, anthropogenic modifications (e.g.
Our research tests of multi-temporal change applied either to monitor heritage hotspots of
urbanisation) can impact the conservation of
detection on the archaeological site of known vulnerability or to screen wider regions.
local heritage and the surrounding cultural
Apamea in Syria (being looted on a massive
landscape. In both these circumstances, Outlook to the future
scale since 2012) prove that Sentinel-2 data
the challenge for heritage stakeholders
can distinctively depict clusters of several Automatic processing chains (e.g. based
such as national or regional UNESCO
adjacent looting holes, allow for delineation on machine learning) are expected to be
offices, government heritage bodies and
of new areas of illegal digging, and estimate a technological development accelerator
site managers, is to be able to monitor the
looting rates. Owing to a clear contrast in the towards an operational use of Sentinel-2
condition of heritage assets, and repeat
reflectance of looted areas with respect to imagery for the condition assessment
the assessment on a regular basis or in
the surrounding greening land, new looting and monitoring of local to wide areas of
case specific events of damage occur. This
is found south-east of the theatre, west of study. This automation should therefore
task requires timely data of sufficient Mapping urban block features in UNESCO World
the Cardo Maximus and the Agora and in complement the analyst-driven methods
spatial resolution that can provide objective Heritage Site of Cyrene, Libya, based on Sentinel-2
the eastern portion of the archaeological time series. that currently represent the state-of-the-
information and allow for multi-temporal
site, along the second main Decumanus. Credit: Contains Copernicus Sentinel data [2017] art in this field and, ideally, help to mitigate
comparative measures. Common constraints
The high temporal frequency of Sentinel-2 the drawbacks of manual examination (e.g.
for users are the costs to access very high-
images increases the timeliness in recording Benefits to Citizens time-consumption, subjectivity). Initiatives
resolution satellite imagery (mostly provided
new incidents of looting, thus bringing in an of capacity building and training would then
by commercial providers) and the availability Public authorities for heritage conservation
improved capability compared to satellite- contribute to fill the knowledge and expertise
of in-house expertise for data processing and and site managers need to assess and
based assessments based on single images gaps that frequently constrain the heritage
interpretation. monitor the condition of heritage at risk.
acquired on demand on a monthly or yearly user uptake of new satellite technologies.
basis. Feature extraction analysis through Some international organisations such as
long time series of Sentinel-2 can be used UNITAR and the ASOR (American Schools
The freely accessible time series acquired by to capture the appearance, over time, of of Oriental Research) Cultural Heritage Deodato Tapete, Francesca Cigna
the Copernicus Sentinel-2 constellation can new manmade features due to urbanisation Initiatives already use very high-resolution Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italy
address this challenge. Images are acquired across the landscape, e.g. new roads, clusters optical satellite data to monitor and document Email: deodato.tapete@asi.it
PROTECTION OF EUROPEAN
CULTURAL HERITAGE FROM
GEOHAZARDS
“ The data and methods
developed by PROTHEGO will
contribute significantly to the
CULTURAL HERITAGE,
TOURISM AND LEISURE
The project identifies, assesses and monitors

Application of innovative EO development of mitigation risks with the aim of strengthening disaster
techniques for geohazards strategies aiming to preserve preparedness for heritage properties in the
future. The project promoted interdisciplinary
assessment in the Derwent the Derwent Valley’s globally and collaborative R&D activities, transferring
Valley Mills (WHS). important cultural heritage.” the highest level of knowledge, quality and
standards from space and earth sciences to
UNESCO WHL sites of Europe covered by PS ground David Knight, DVM’s Partnership cultural heritage conservation sciences.
motion data, derived by satellite radar interferometry.
Base map data © ESRI. World Heritage Site data Credit Outlook to the future
The challenge © 1992 - [2016] UNESCO/World Heritage Centre. All rights and 2017 was processed using the InSAR
Tangible cultural heritage includes various reserved. Map produced by BGS, © NERC/UKRI. Green dots technique. The project identified fluvial and An agreement amongst EU institutions (e.g.
indicate PS data available for site, red dots indicate PS data groundwater flooding and landslides as
categories of monuments and sites, from not available.
member states, EU Commission, ESA, EEA
individual architecture to cultural landscapes, key threats to the Valley’s cultural heritage etc.) on the use of satellite services for
and from archaeological complexes to of cultural heritage and landscape. Remotely resource, for example, at Belper, where radar monitoring geohazards affecting cultural
historic centres. Many of these sites are sensed information on ground stability data identified damage possibly connected to heritage would help define best practice
affected by a variety of factors, with rapid conditions is combined with In order to a recent flooding event. guidelines and standard methodologies for
or slow onset. They include natural hazards, assess observed motions and understand adoption by practitioners in this field.
such as landslides, settlement, subsidence, geological processes, an analysis of remotely
earthquakes or extreme meteorological events, sensed data in conjunction with local-scale Acknowledgements
which could be worsened by climate change geological analysis was implemented for The PROTHEGO project is part of the Joint
and/or human interaction. A comprehensive each test site. Advanced modelling and field Programming Imitative on Cultural Heritage
picture of cultural sites affected by geohazards surveying were also carried out. At least one and Global Change (JPI-CH). The authors
is not yet available. The PROTection of site for each partner country (i.e. Italy, United acknowledge the support from each of the case
European Cultural HEritage from GeOhazards, Kingdom, Cyprus and Spain) was chosen to study sites and the projects associated partner.
(PROTHEGO) project provides an overview of validate and calibrate the methodology.
remote sensing capabilities for monitoring
The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage E.Bee1, A. Harrison1, A. Novellino1, G.Crosta2,
these threats by focusing on properties on the
Site (DVMWHS), managed by the Derwent InSAR data identified damage in the East Mill possibly P.Frattini2, J.A. Fernandez-Merodo3,
UNESCO World Heritage List (WHL) in Europe.
Valley Mills Partnership, is one of the connected to the Winter 2016-17 flooding event R. M.Mateos3, D. Knight4, G. Leoni5,
These properties will serve as a reference case
PROTHEGO case study sites selected for in Belper. Sentinel-1 data were sourced from the
C.Margottini5, D. Spizzichinio5, K.
for all EU heritage properties. European Space Agency. Imagery supplied through
local scale monitoring, investigation and Themistocleous6
advanced modelling. The Derwent Valley, ESRI’s World Imagery layer under ESRI’s Master
The space based solution license Agreement ©ESRI. Credit: Contains modified 1. BGS, UK
with its associated mill complexes, industrial
PROTHEGO applies novel space technologies Copernicus Sentinel data 2015-2017 2. UNIMIB, Italy
housing and infrastructure, was inscribed
based on radar interferometry (InSAR) to 3. IGME, Spain
on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001 Benefits to Citizens
monitor monuments and sites in Europe in recognition of its importance as the 4. Derwent Valley Mills Partnership, UK;
which are potentially unstable due to birthplace of the modern factory system. In PROTHEGO’s goal is to enhance cultural 5. Institute for Environmental Protection and
geohazards. These technologies can play a order to monitor the current state of activity heritage management practices at the national Research, Italy.
crucial role in developing site management of the identified geo-hazards, Sentinel-1 level, reinforcing institutional support and 6. CUT, Cyprus.
strategies sustainable for the preservation space-borne imagery acquired between 2015 governance through knowledge and innovation. Email: Daniele.spizzichino@isprambiente.it
Carbon monoxide measured by Sentinel-5P
Launched on 13 October 2017, the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite
has been used to map atmospheric carbon monoxide around the globe.
The image shows high levels of this air pollutant over parts of Asia,
Africa and South America. The mission has a swath width of 2600 km,
which allows the whole planet to be mapped every 24 hours.
Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2017), processed by SRON/ESA

List of entities authoring the Copernicus User Stories
• Aberystwyth University (United Kingdom) • CNRS - Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France)
• Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief • Communauté de Communes du Pays de Dol et de la Baie du Mont Saint Michel (France)
of the Republic of Slovenia (Slovenia) • Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del fuoco (Italy)
• AEROCAMPUS Aquitaine (France) • Cranfield University (United Kingdom)
• AfricaRice - Africa Rice Center (Ivory Coast) • CRA-W - Centre Wallon De Recherches Agronomiques - (Belgium)
• Agresta S. Coop (Spain) • CREVIS Sprl (Belgium)
• AGROCAMPUS OUEST (France) • CRPF - Centre Régional de la Propriété Forestière de Lorraine-Alsace (France)
• ARIESPACE S.r.l. (Italy) • Cyprus University of Technolgy (Cyprus)
• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Laboratory of Forest Management • Danish Coastal Authority (Denmark)
and Remote Sensing (Greece)
• Decentralized Administration of Epirus and Western Macedonia (Greece)
• ASI - Italian Space Agency (Italy)
• DELPHI IMM GmbH (Germany)
• AUDIAR - Agence d’Urbanisme et de Développement Intercommunal
• Deltares Foundation (The Netherlands)
de l’Agglomération Rennaise (France)
• DEMETER - Hellenic Agricultural Organization (Greece)
• Azorean Biodiversity Group & Ce3C, University of the Azores (Portugal)
• Derwent Valley Mills Partnership
• BGS - British Geological Survey (United Kingdom)
• Directorate General of Forests and Forest Environment,
• Biosphärenpark Wienerwald Management GmbH (Austria)
Ministry of Environment and Energy (Greece)
• Brittany Region (France)
• DLR - German Aerospace Center (Germany)
• Centre d’études et d’expertise sur les risques, l’environnement,
• Doñana Biological Station, CSIC - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Spain)
la mobilité et l’aménagement (Cerema) (France)
• DRRF - Direção Regional de Recursos Florestais, Secretaria Regional da Agricultura
• Centre for Ecological Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Hungary)
e Florestas, Governo Regional dos Açores (Portugal)
• Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (United Kingdom)
• EIP - European Innovation Partnerships Water Secretariat (Europe)
• CERTH - Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (Greece)
• EIT Climate KIC Education (Europe)
• Chambre d’Agriculture de Loire-Atlantique (France)
• eLEAF (Netherlands)
• CIFP - Centro Integrado de Formación Profesional de Almázcara,
• EMVIS Water Resources & Environment Management (Greece)
Junta de Castilla y León (Spain)
• Enabel, Belgian Development Agency (Belgium)
• Città metropolitana di Torino (Italy)
• Energieagentur Region Trier GmbH (Germany)
• CLS-Brest - Collecte Localisation Satellites (France)
• ERATOSTHENES RESEARCH CENTRE (Cyprus)
• CNR - IDPA - Institute for the Dynamics of Environmental Processes
• Estonian Agricultural Registers and Information Board (Estonia)
• CNR - IGG - Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse
• European Reserach Academy (EURAC) (Italy)
• CNR - IIA - Istituto sull’Inquinamento Atmosferico
• Evenflow (Belgium)
• CNR - IMAA -Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis
• Forest Service of South Tyrol (Italy)
• CNR - IREA - Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment
• CNR - National Reserach Council of Italy
• Forschungsstelle für Energiewirtschaft e.V. (Germany) • Lemvig Utility (Denmark)
• FORTH - Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas Institute of Applied • M.O.S.S. Computer Grafik Systeme GmbH (Germany)
and Computational Mathematics (Greece) • Metropolitana Milanese (MM S.p.A.) (Italy)
• FRCT - Regional Fund for Science and Technology (Portugal) • Miguel Ángel Latre Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain)
• GEO Polymorphic Ltd. (Bulgaria) • Municipality of Niscemi (Italy)
• GeoBretagne Partnership (France) • Municipality of Thessaloniki (Greece)
• GeoCodis Ltd. (Slovenia) • National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (Greece)
• GeoEcoMar (Romania) • National Geographic and Hydrographic Institute of Madagascar
• Geological Survey Ireland (Ireland) • National Land Survey of Iceland (Iceland)
• GEOMATRIX UAB (Lithuania) • National Observatory of Athens (Greece)
• Geospatial Enabling Technologies (GET Ltd) (Greece) • Natural History Museum of Crete (Greece)
• German Environment Agency (Germany) • Naturraumplanung Egger e. U. (Austria)
• GFZ - German research centre for geosciences (Germany) • NEUROPUBLIC (Greece)
• GIS BreTel (France) • NIOZ - The Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (The Netherlands)
• Government Office of the Capital City Budapest (Hungary) • NOAA - National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (USA)
• ICMAN - Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (Spain) • NORUT - Northern Research Institute (Norway)
• IFREMER - Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (France) • NVE - Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (Norway)
• IGME - Geological Survey of Spain (Spain) • Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso (Italy)
• insar.sk - Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radara (Slovak Republic) • Parco Nazionale dell’Alta Murgia (Italy)
• Institute Cartographic and Geological of Catalonia (Spain) • Parkour-Vienna (Austria)
• Institute for Environmental Solutions (Latvia) • Planetek Hellas (Greece)
• Institute of Geodesy and Cartography (Poland) • Planetek Italia (Italy)
• INTIA - Navarre Institute of Transfer and Innovation in Agri-Food sector (Spain) • Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, Booster MoreSpace (France)
• ISPRA - Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Italy) • Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
• ISSeP - Institute Scientific On Duty Public (Belgium) • Politecnico di Torino (Italy)
• ITACyL - Agrotechnological Institute of Castile and León (Spain) • Prague Institute of Planning and Development (Czech Republic)
• ITHACA - Information Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, • Randbee Consultants (Spain)
Cooperation and Action (Italy)
• Regional Council of Reunion (France)
• Kermap (France)
• Regional Government of Castile and León - DG Environment (Spain)
• Klaipeda University (Lithuania)
• Rezatec (United Kingdom)
• Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche (France)
• Romanian Space Agency (Romania)
• Lemvig Municipality (Denmark)
• Royal Military Academy (Belgium) (the Netherlands)
• RSS - Remote Sensing Solutions GmbH (Germany) • University of Basilicata (Italy)
• Rural Support Service (Latvia) • University of Bayreuth
• Samaria National Park (Greece) • University of Bonn
• Sarmap SA (Switzerland) • University of Bonn - Center For Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces
• Satellio Oy Ltd (Finland) • University of Bonn - Department of Geography
• Science [&] Technology AS (Norway) • University of Bonn - Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation
• SEGES, CropInnovation (Denmark) • University of Cadiz (Spain)
• Space Research Institute of National Academy of Sciences • University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)
of Ukraine and State Space Agency of Ukraine (Ukraine) • University of Coimbra (Portugal)
• Spacebel (Belgium) • University of Dublin - Trinity College (Ireland)
• SpaceLayer Technologies (Portugal) • University of Malta (Malta)
• Spatial Services GmbH (Austria) • University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Austria)
• Spectator (Poland) • University of Patras (Greece)
• SPW - Service Public de Wallonie (Belgium) • University of Porto (Portugal)
• SVV - Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Norway) • University of Salzburg (Austria)
• SYMSAGEL - Syndicat Mixte pour le SAGE de la Lys (France) • University of Southampton (United Kingdom)
• Taxus IT (Poland) • University of Tartu - Tartu Observatory
• Telespazio France (France) • University of Valencia - Department of Earth Physics and Thermodynamics,
• Terranis (France) Faculty of Physics
• TERRASIGNA (Romania) • University of Valencia (Spain)
• The International Water Association (United Kingdom) • University of Wuerzburg (Germany)
• ThüringenForst Institution under Public Law (Germany) • University of Zagreb - Faculty of Geodesy
• Tormaresca (Italy) • VITO - Vision on Technology for a better world (Belgium)
• Tour du Valat (France) • Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (Belgium)
• ULB - Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium) • Walloon Paying Agency (Belgium)
• UNIMIB - University of Milano Bicocca (Italy) • Water Insight (the Netherlands)
• Università degli Studi di Milano - Cassandra Lab • Western Cape Department of the Premier (South Africa)
• Université Catholique de Louvain - Earth and Life Institute • Yorkshire Peat Partnership
• Université de Strasbourg - ICube-SERTIT • Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (United Kingdom)
• University Jaime I - Geospatial Technologies Research Group • ZRC SAZU - Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (Slovenia)
• University of Amsterdam - Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics
Acknowledgments Panel of Reviewers
This activity was managed by the Network of European Regions Using Space Technologies Athos Agapiou (Cyprus University of Technology)
(NEREUS) under a contract from the European Space Agency (Contract No. 4000121945/17/I-BG). Marco Aliberti (ESPI - European Space Policy Institute)
The activity is funded by the European Union, in collaboration with NEREUS. Paging, printing and Massimo Antoninetti (CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche)
distribution of this publication is funded by the European Space Agency.
Ali Nadir Arslan (FMI - Finnish Meteorological Institute)
The Copernicus User Stories showcased in this publication were gathered through an open Laura Giulia Maria Candela (ASI - Italian Space Agency)
Call for Articles and scrutinized by a selected Panel of Reviewers. The Reviewers significantly
contributed to enhance the quality of the Publication by reviewing the assigned stories: the Toby Clark (Eurisy)
European Commission, the European Space Agency and the Network of European Regions Using Laurence Crosnier (Mercator Ocean)
Space Technologies wish to thank them for their precious support. Silvano De Zorzi (Veneto Region)
The review process was managed by Prof. Raffaella Brumana and Dr. Branka Cuca, from Politecnico Hans Dufourmont (EEA - European Environment Agency)
di Milano (Department ABC). The Editorial Committee was composed by Roya Ayazi (NEREUS),
Stefano Ferretti (ESPI - European Space Policy Institute)
Ilaria D’Auria (NEREUS), Alessandra Tassa (European Space Agency) and Julien Turpin (European
Commission). The layout and paging was ensured by the ESA Earth Observation Graphic Bureau. Thomas Geist (FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency)
Terms of Use and References: Users can copy, download and print this publication and can Artur Gil (University of the Azores)
include excerpts from it in their own documents, presentations, blogs, websites and teaching David Hallo (TerraNIS)
materials, exclusively for non-commercial use and provided that suitable acknowledgment of Karl Hennermann (ECMWF - European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts)
source and copyright owner is given as follows:
Hervé Jeanjean (CNES - French Space Agency/ESA)
· For the publication: NEREUS, European Space Agency and European Commission, 2018,
Vanessa Keuck (DLR - German Aerospace Centre)
“The Ever Growing use of Copernicus across Europe’s Regions: a selection of 99 user stories
by local and regional authorities”, 277 pages. James Bruce McCormack (Bruce McCormack Consulting)
· For the single articles: Name and Surname of Authors, Title of Article, 2018, in NEREUS/ Phil Monbet (Pole Mer Bretagne Atlantique)
ESA/EC “The Ever Growing use of Copernicus across Europe’s Regions”, page numbers. Marc Paganini (ESA - European Space Agency)
Users must not modify, participate in the sale of, translate into other languages, create derivative Giorgos Papadavid (Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus)
works from, without obtaining prior written authorization. Users must not produce adaptations Nicola Pergola (CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche)
stating or implying the endorsement by ESA or EC of the adaptations that the users have made
Gunther Schreier (DLR - German Aerospace Centre)
or in any other manner that might mislead. For any permission or further information please
email: copernicus.space.office@esa.int Frank Martin Seifert (ESA - European Space Agency)
The Intellectual Property Rights of the single user stories contained in this publication remain Nathalie Stéphenne (SPW - Service Public de Wallonie)
with the Authors. For any use or reproduction of photos or other material that is not under the Bernard Stevenot (Spacebel)
Copernicus copyright, permission must be sought directly from the copyright holders.
Xenofon Tsilimparis (Greek Research & Technology Network S.A.)
Disclaimer: The EC, ESA and NEREUS are not liable for any consequence stemming from the use Alessandra Vernile (Eurisy)
of this Publication. The views expressed in the Copernicus User Stories are those of the Authors
Juergen Vogel (bavAIRia e.V.)
and can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency or of
the European Commission.
Transports, Civil
Agriculture,
Transports, Civil Public Health
Biodiversity
Public Health and Cultural
Territorial
Cultural Civil
Transports, Agriculture,
Climate, Water
Agriculture,
Public Health B
Infrastructure
Food, Forestry
Infrastructure Environmental Heritage,
Management
Heritage,
Infrastructure Food,
and Forestry
Energy
Food, Forestry E
and Safety
and
and Fisheries
Safety Protection Tourism
and
and and
Urban
Tourism
Safetyand and Fisheries
and Fisheries P
Leisure
Planning
Leisure
www.copernicus.eu | https://sentinels.copernicus.eu

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→ THE EVER GROWING USE OF COPERNICUS

ACROSS EUROPE’S REGIONS

A selection of xx user stories by local and regional authorities | 1

A selection of xx user stories by local and regional authorities | 1

Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2017), processed by Sinergise/ESA

Copernicus in a nutshell 18 Reinforcing the Common Agriculture Policy 54

Copernicus User Stories Geographic Index: Sentinels Verify Agricultural Subsidies 58

A Farmsourcing Platform for a Smart Nitrogen Management 60

Precision Farming: Management of Grasslands 76 Operational Afforestation Monitoring 96

Copernicus Supports Forest Monitoring

Making Seagrasses Great Again 128 Overview 146

Sentinel-2 Supports Coastal Management

Introduction 212 TRANSPORTS, CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY

Overview 214 Introduction 236

Monitoring the Health of Water and Sewerage Networks 246

Smartphone Application Delivering Meteo-Marine Data Panel of Reviewers 277

An Air-Quality-App for Germany 256

Mapping Real-Time Airborne Particle Pollution 258

CULTURAL HERITAGE, TOURISM AND LEISURE

Monitoring Heritage at Risk with Sentinel-2 264

sentinel-4 sentinel-5 sentinel-6

The Copernicus Contributing Missions provide complementary data within

18 | → THE EVER GROWING USE OF COPERNICUS ACROSS EUROPE’S REGIONS A selection of 99

2013 2015 2015 2017

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Portugal (Portugal) p. 90, p. 102, p. 138, p. 220 Vidzeme (Vidžemé) p. 124

Prague (Praha) p. 202 Vienna (Wien) p. 140

Reunion Island (Ile de la Réunion) p. 194 Viseu Dão-Lafões p. 220

Romania (România) p. 48, p. 242 Wadden Sea p. 126

Salzburg p. 122 Wallonia (Wallonie) p. 46, p. 184, p. 204

Sardinia (Sardegna) p. 172 West Jutland (Vestjylland) p. 168

Sertã p. 90 Western Transdanubia (Nyugat-Dunántúl) p. 170

Sicily (Sicilia) p. 224, p. 250 Western Cape of South Africa p. 68

Slovakia (Slovensko) p. 228 Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve (Biosphärenpark Wienerwald) p. 140

Slovenia (Slovenija) p. 176, p. 232 Yeste p. 198

South East Romania (Sud-Est Romania) p. 48 Yorkshire p. 160

South Holland (Zuid-Holland) p. 148

32 | → THE EVER GROWING USE OF COPERNICUS ACROSS EUROPE’S REGIONS A selection of 99

Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2014), processed by ESA

AGRICULTURE, FOOD, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

EARTH OBSERVATION FOR PRECISION FARMING: Brittany

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- Monitoring Green areas / neighbourhoods in