ERSSG working group

EUROSITE REMOTE SENSING SUPPORT GROUP (ERSSG)

The use of remote sensing techniques and spatial analysis tools are among the fastest-growing fields in nature conservation planning and management. Access to free high-quality spatial data is improving by the day (e.g. thanks to the EU Copernicus earth observation and monitoring programme). Moreover, the availability of low-price and easy-to-use mapping equipment and open source software makes it possible to implement new technologies in biodiversity conservation on every level, including for managers of high-value nature conservation areas. In 2019, Eurosite organised the 4th Natura 2000 Monitoring workshop to bring these matters closer to managers of sites protected for nature conservation. The workshop was one of the  Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process networking events. Here, the role of satellite and drone images in conservation monitoring and the usefulness of open-source software packages that can increase our work’s efficiency, accuracy and precision was discussed. You can find the workshop report here. One of the main results of this fruitful meeting was the conclusion that there is a high demand among Eurosite members to create a new, permanent working group focused directly on remote sensing, hence establishing the ERSSG.

The ERSSG focuses on developing innovative, open tools supporting open access to biodiversity spatial data.

• Products: 

  Eurosite Remote Sensing webinar series (2020) on YouTube

  • ERSSG webinar: Drone potential for vegetation monitoring
  • ERSSG webinar: An introduction to QGIS for site managers
  • ERSSG webinar: Improving the accuracy of bird counts in ImageJ – an open-source software programme

  Eurosite Remote Sensing webinar series 2021:

  • ERSSG webinar: Using Earth observations to inform on changes within protected sites
  • ERSSG webinar: Habitat mapping using different remote sensing platforms
  • ERSSG webinar: European EUNIS habitat suitability, probability, modelling and mapping, and the European Vegetation Archive (EVA)

  Online workshop: 5th Natura 2000 monitoring – part 1 (2021)

  Click on the image to read the leaflet.