Multiscale Habitat Mapping and Monitoring Using Satellite Data and Advanced Image Analysis Techniques

Biodiversity - the variety of life forms and our "natural capital and life-insurance" (EuropeanCommission 2011) - is on decline (Isbell 2010, Trochet and Schmeller 2013). This is expected to directly influence the integrity of ecosystem functioning and stability, and thus, ultimately to human well-being (Naeem et al. 2009). In 1992, the United Nations joined forces in the International Convention on Biological Diversity, short CBD, to halt or at least lower the accelerated loss of biodiversity. Next to the challenging nature of this aim as a key global challenge, it remains demanding to monitor and evaluate its success, which requires a concerted, effective use of the latest technology (Lang et al. 2014). As by the end of 2010 (the International Year of Biodiversity) the global society became aware that the ambitious goal of "halting biodiversity" has not been reached, the importance of observation techniques became even more important. The two collaborative projects MS.MONINA4 and BIO_SOS5, both started 2010, have explored EO data combined with data from ground surveys (Blonda et al. 2012b, Lang et al. 2014). The idea is to set-up EO-based (pre-)operational, yet economically priced solutions to provide timely information on pressures and impacts, to establish spatial priority for conservation and to evaluate its effectiveness. MS.MONINA developed advanced data driven EO-based analysis and modelling tools, specifically tailored to user requirements on all levels of policy implementation. Three (sub-)services were designed, the so-called .EU, .State, and .Site level service, addressing agencies on EU level (e.g., ETC Biodiversity, EEA and DG Environment) providing independent information; national and federal agencies in reporting on the entire territory by utilizing an information layer concept; local management authorities by advanced mapping methods for status assessment and change maps. BIO_SOS provides cost-effective knowledge-driven EO-based analysis and modelling tools for meeting regulation obligations and for the definition (and effectiveness assessment) of related management strategies and actions. The project developed a pre-operational open-source processing system that combines multi-seasonal EO satellite data and in-situ measurements on the basis of prior expert rules to map land cover (LC) and habitats, their changes and modifications over time and quantify anthropogenic pressures. Expert rules include prior spectral, spatial and temporal features characterizing LC classes and habitat classes. The system is cost-effective for mapping large or not accessible areas as in-field reference data are not required for training the system but only for validating the output products (e.g., LC and habitat maps) In this chapter we distillate the projects' technical outcomes and scientific achievements as reported to the EC and also described in a Special Issue on "Earth observation for habitat mapping and biodiversity monitoring", edited by S. Lang and others in 2014. We highlight the great potential of EO data and the achievements of recent technologies, but also their challenges and limitations, in support of biodiversity and ecosystem monitoring. In Europe, nature conservation rests upon a strong, yet ambitious policy framework with legally binding directives. Also in other parts of the world, the environmental legislation follows ambitious goals that often have to compete with other societal premises such as growth, production, and expansion. Thus, geospatial information products are required at all levels of implementation. With recent advances in EO data availability and the forthcoming of capable analysis tools we enter a new dimension of satellite-based information services. Recent achievements are showcased and challenges are discussed, using spearheading examples from inside and outside Europe.