Date of Workshop: 15th September, 10h30 to 12h
Please find the workshop report here.
Description:
The (virtual) workshop has the objective to understand how Sentinel data is being used in products and services to support the management of forests in countries across Europe. Two SeBS cases have looked at this sector in Sweden and in Portugal which show significant benefits where Sentinel data is being used and specially to monitor the condition of the forest.
In both countries, the majority of the forests are owned by a large number of individuals hence the knowledge is widely distributed – if at all available. The use of Sentinel data to monitor frequently over large areas provides a level of information impossible to achieve at an affordable cost by other means. The ability to monitor tree growth, when and where harvesting has taken place (clear-cuts) and when disease or wildfires have struck is proving of significant benefit to forest agencies and managers as well as industries such as timber, pulp and paper producers.
The regulatory environment is a strong factor in how the forests are managed and synoptic, wide-scale information is a valuable tool for helping design better regulatory practices.
Monitoring remotely helps save time both through reduced site visits for gathering the information and the time to react in remote areas when disease or fire strikes. In each case, several organisations are concerned, and the use of the Sentinel satellite data helps to provide a common picture for all those concerned building transparency and confidence in the decisions being taken.
The workshop will bring together experts in forest management to consider where they are or could benefit from the use of Sentinel data. The lessons from the 2 existing cases will be discussed and attendees will be able to compare and contrast with their own local conditions including what resources already exist in their country and what they can learn from others.
Who should attend?
Representatives from forest agencies or other organisations with responsibility for policies linked to management of forests in Europe.
Agenda:
5 mins: Welcome and overview of the workshop.
5 mins: Overview of the SeBS analysis.
10 mins: Presentation of the practical use and benefits by primary users from the existing cases.
- Erik Willen, Stora Enso, Sweden (see SeBS case Forest Management in Sweden)
- Francisco Goes, CELPA, Portugal (see SeBS case Forest Monitoring in Portugal)
5 minutes: Overview of the findings from existing cases.
10 minutes: Ludvig Forslund, Copernicus Land Services Manager, EEA – Introduction to Forestry Products within the EEA.
30 mins: Opportunity for each attendee to present their own national situation.
20 mins: Open discussion on Benefits for forest management and its regulation.
5 mins: Summary and Conclusion.
Outcome:
A short report will be prepared for the workshop and made available to all attendees. Note, the workshop will be recorded for the project use but will not be made public. Follow-up will be possible between experts and with the project team which could result in further analysis and a full case study.
- To analyse commonalities and differences among different actors and potential uses of Sentinels data in different countries/regions
- to establish a benchmark of cases that can allow to improve the current understanding related to the use of Sentinels data.
- To establish a set of best practices which can inform forest agencies and on the benefits of using Sentinel data.
To participate to the workshop, please send a short email to geoff.sawyer@earsc.org to indicate your interest. As a result, you will receive further information on the date of the workshop and how to join.