Building Bridges between Earth observation and Environmental Sciences

Project Information

EarthBridge

Grant agreement ID: 101079310

DOI

10.3030/101079310

Project closed

EC signature date 26 July 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 December 2025

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

€ 1 106 576,25

EU contribution

€ 1 106 576,00

Coordinated by

CESKA ZEMEDELSKA UNIVERZITA V PRAZE
Czechia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EarthBridge (Building Bridges between Earth observation and Environmental Sciences)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The EarthBridge project leverages Earth Observation (EO) to address global environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable land management. With rapid technological advancements, EO has become crucial for monitoring environmental changes and informing policy decisions. However, the full utilization of EO remains limited. Universities play a vital role in bridging knowledge and communication gaps by conducting research, developing new methods, and training professionals.

EarthBridge aims to (i) significantly increase the interdisciplinary research capacity of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) in environmental EO; (ii) improve the use of EO tools by a broader community through collaboration with three internationally-leading universities: Technische Universität Dresden (TUD), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn (UBO) in Germany, and Alma Mater Studiorum - Universitá di Bologna (UNIBO) in Italy. The project will benefit from ongoing research activities feeding into existing EO data. Methods to achieve these goals include staff exchanges, scientific training, proposal preparation, summer schools, a synthesis project for early-career researchers, and involvement of regional/national institutions according to their needs.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Key activities and achievements during the reporting period include:

Research and Publications
A research project advanced methods for biodiversity monitoring in agricultural landscapes using innovative environmental sensing techniques, including LiDAR data from ICESat-2 and GEDI missions. Notable progress in spectral variability analysis highlighted its potential to reflect plant biodiversity through spectral reflectance patterns. Several peer-reviewed papers were published, extending technical capabilities in environmental monitoring and enriching the broader academic discourse on biodiversity assessment using remote sensing technologies.

Workshops and Training
Four major workshops were organised in Prague, Bologna, Dresden, and Tisa. These workshops focused on developing key outputs such as the Perspective Paper and the Stakeholder Handbook, aligning research directions, and stakeholder engagement strategies. They also initiated the Synthesis Project and Joint Study Programme. The project delivered six specialized training sessions on advanced analytical techniques and emerging technologies in data analysis and machine learning, covering topics like "Analysing spatially autocorrelated data" and "Deep Learning."

Staff Exchanges and Organisational Improvements
Short-term staff exchanges between CZU and partner institutions enriched scientific and managerial interactions, leading to substantial organizational improvements at CZU. This comprehensive approach significantly enhanced the administrative and operational capacities of the involved institutions, setting a robust foundation for future collaborative endeavors.

Synthesis Project and Mentorship
The Synthesis Project launched in Krkonoše National Park, engaging thirteen early-career researchers in intensive data analysis, literature reviews, and collaborative research design. A structured mentoring framework involving senior researchers from CZU, TUD, UNIBO, and UBO was developed to support early-career researchers. Six short-term exchanges facilitated expertise sharing and professional connections. Progress was made towards establishing a new Master's study programme at CZU and TUD, focusing on curriculum development and administrative planning, with formal approval processes expected by 2025.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

- Research Project (Work Package 1) Using LiDAR and spectral analysis, the project refined biodiversity monitoring, evidenced by key publications that enhance understanding of biodiversity dynamics.

- Synthesis Project and Workshops - The initiation of a synthesis project and organization of four workshops in Prague and Dresden fostered substantial interdisciplinary discussions. These workshops were crucial in planning key project outputs such as the Perspective Paper and Stakeholder Handbook, enhancing collaborative research and planning capabilities.

- Mentoring and Researcher Exchanges - A mentoring framework supported early-career researchers' development, while facilitated exchanges enriched professional networks and fostered long-term collaborations.

- Study Programme Development - Progress towards the "Master in Environmental Data Science" program promises to attract a global student body and establish CZU as a leader in environmental education.

- International Collaboration - Efforts to expand double degree and ERASMUS agreements are set to enhance international educational exchanges.

- Training and Administrative Exchanges - Training in advanced analytical techniques and project management has been integrated into workshops, improving practical skills and administrative capabilities. This is complemented by short-term staff exchanges and specialized training sessions that enhance administrative efficiency and specialization at CZU.

Needs and Objectives
Continued Research and Validation - Ongoing innovation and validation of remote sensing techniques are vital for sustaining leadership in environmental monitoring.

Demonstration and Commercialisation - Implementing demonstration projects to showcase technology applications and exploring commercialisation opportunities for new methodologies.

Access to Funding - Securing funding is crucial for supporting extended research activities and the sustainability of educational programs.

Enhanced Training and Administrative Capabilities -Ongoing training and exchanges focused on administrative efficiency and open science practices are necessary to support the project’s complex administrative needs and future data management strategies.

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