User Uptake of Copernicus Services for Landscape and Spatial Planning Stakeholders

The main goal of the action is to look for new possibilities of acquiring information about the Earth's surface in relation to landscape and spatial planning by using Copernicus data and services, i.e. time series of satellite images, always on the base of extensive survey of gap analyses and current information needs from relevant users and stakeholders. Potential end-users have been identified in Poland, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Bulgaria and Spain. For this purpose, the analyses about landscape structure and dynamics will be implemented into a pilot service using demonstrative case studies across partners’ countries. The technical objectives of the Action are the following:

1^st - Performing an evaluation of the expectations and needs of the landscape and spatial planning end-users in the form of gap-analysis surveys.

2^nd - Demonstration of the use of landscape metrics based on land cover (LC) classification of Sentinel satellite data yearly updated.

3^rd - Establishing a pilot service for monitoring European landscapes using metrics derived from Copernicus products and satellite images on study sites located across partner countries.

Landscape metrics (LM) are usually calculated in a raster GIS format for a given area based upon LC maps, which can be obtained from satellite images and spatial modelling frameworks. Calculations are performed within a grid of defined size, using algorithms analysing spatial and statistical relations with LC features. LM are higher-level information used in research but not in daily practice. At the same time, there is a need to obtain up to date thematic information about the Earth's surface that can be quickly and unambiguously obtained, interpreted and compared.

LM allows not only doing objective reviews on landscape structure but also helps to monitor and evaluate the effects of changes appearing in a time series of years with data available. In preliminary meetings with the number of end-users (listed above), all related to landscape and spatial planning, action partners have explored their interest in landscape assessments derived from Copernicus data and services. These relevant stakeholders will be willing to assist the Action by participating in specific “gap analysis” surveys and evaluating the usefulness of obtained results. The action is compatible and synergic with current research of Statistical Offices for getting indicators of ongoing changes and trends on Earth's surface. Action partners will ingest for LM assessments input data ready to use such as Copernicus High-Resolution Layers (updated every 3 years) as well as will develop classifications of Sentinel-2 images for the years 2021 and 2022 (updated yearly), aiming to develop novel indicators based on multi-temporal data. There will be also undertaken a complete review of currently existing indicators useful for the Action purposes. All results will be presented to selected users and stakeholders related to landscape and spatial planning.