Objectives

The project will facilitate the dissemination of best practice, technology transfer, development of international co-operation and the application of results of EU projects to the broader international community active in the field of biomass and earth observations. These activities hinge on the use of the latest advances in remote sensing science (many of them financed through EC programmes) and access to data acquired by various Earth observing satellites to characterize the state and evolution of the vegetation cover. The project will also provide a long-term picture of the conditions, understanding and classification of the potential of biomass use for bioenergy in the EU.

Accessing a reliable and common dataset on biomass potential will offer a more efficient use of the available biomass feedstock and a better monitoring of sustainability as well as competitiveness aspects. In doing so the project intends to provide services and products that are combined, customised, and supplemented by various information elements to create deliverables designed to meet specific policy driven requirement of users. Based on the identified user requirements and the methods available for combining Earth Observation and terrestrial inventory data, a concept for a harmonized approach for biomass assessment will be developed.

The concept will be formulated on the basis of existing inventory data derived from national and regional inventories as well as of the potential synergies between information that can be derived from Earth Observation data and the already existing inventory data collected in the field. The concept will also bear in mind capacities of airborne remote sensing with particular respect to laserscanning and photogrammetry based methods. In order to suggest methods suitable for covering Europe with special focus on WBC, Eastern Europe and Central-Asia great importance has to be attached to the careful evaluation of availability of required data.

Strategic objectives

The main objective of the project is to develop a common methodology for gathering information on biomass potential using terrestrial and earth observations. This objective will be achieved by the implementation of a systematic assessment work plan and will result in the establishment of a harmonised approach and an e-training tool for dissemination. The e-training environment will be an important tool for reaching the much-needed European harmonisation, whereas a Stakeholder Platform will facilitate access to reliable and common datasets on biomass potential and as such it will offer a more efficient use of the available European biomass feedstock. The project will:

-Develop a common methodology for gathering information on biomass potential using terrestrial and earth observations

-Disseminating information, best practices and methodology on using earth observations in the assessment of biomass potential

-Use e-technologies for disseminating information, best practices on the use and applicability of developed harmonised methodology.

Specific objectives

  • Streamlining research results into a common methodology for using remote sensing for the assessment of biomass potential

- Reviewing satellites, sensors, their applications and limitations
- Reviewing indexes and indicators
- Reviewing environmental and surface variables through direct observation
- Identifying best European practices for the determination of biomass production and potential
- Outlining EO input to biomass production and calculation methods


  • Reviewing current terrestrial methods and activities for biomass assessment


- Cataloguing of Pan European Methods
- Reviewing results from earlier and currently running activities in East and South East Europe
- Identification of barriers of European harmonized approaches


  • Developing harmonized European EO and terrestrial methods

- Identifying requirements for harmonized approach on a European level
- Combination EO and terrestrial-optimisation potential
- Developing technical concepts for a harmonized approach with respect to Stakeholder requirements
- Identifying technological gaps and definition of a European Research Road Map


  • Developing a Platform for Stakeholder interaction, sharing of common datasets and results

- Identifying and further refining biomass user requirements for EO
- Improving the EO sector’s understanding of biomass and agricultural requirements
- Monitoring international research and updating methodologies
  • Deploying a CEUBIOM e-Training Programme on the use of a harmonised EO approach in biomass assessment

  • Raise awareness for the use of EO on biomass potential of the scientific community and public.

CEUBIOM objectives will be achieved in the context of relevant EC legislation such as 1445/2000/EC, PE/CONS 3661/1/03 to overview the current capabilities of Earth Observation technology supporting the assessment of biomass in ecosystems in line with earlier EU initiatives (such as FP6 MARS). Hereby specific requirements by DG Agriculture and DG Research will be taken into account. The essential bottom-up character will be maintained, especially within the scope to incorporate feedbacks from local stakeholders, municipalities and national authorities. Methods and results should also be possible to be implemented at various scales that include regional planning and rural development.

 

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