Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RemoTrees (A new technology of in-situ observation datasets to address climate change effects in hard-to-reach forest areas)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-12-01 al 2025-05-31
Forests play a key role in the Earth climate system as they cover about 30% of the land area. In the last decade they absorbed more than 7 Gt CO2 contributing to reduce global warming and to buffer and mitigate increasing climate variability. Climate records show a clear trend towards increasing heatwaves and prolonged droughts in different world regions across all continents, notably with the hottest and driest periods on record occurred in the last decade, however the extent and severity of their impact is unknown due to lack of a comprehensive monitoring network, which generally does not include hard-to-reach areas characterized by strong logistic limitations. Therefore, novel technological solutions are urgently needed to monitor forest responses to climate change and related extreme events also in remote areas.
Recent advances in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, satellite IoT connectivity and energy harvesting systems are opening unprecedented opportunities for the use of IoT devices in standalone experimental setups. In this context, the aim of the RemoTrees project is to design and build an innovative, autonomous in-situ monitoring system designed for remote forest areas and providing data via satellite communication to a dedicated RemoTrees platform. In this framework, RemoTrees will integrate existing and novel Earth Observation (EO) data with in-situ observations of Essential Climate Variables (ECVs: fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation, leaf area index, soil moisture, biomass change) and other key variables including e.g. stem growth, stem moisture, sap flow, canopy transmittance, besides air humidity and temperature. RemoTrees will include study cases on interoperability with GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems), and on how in-situ data can support an improved understanding of the climate variability impact on forests. The reinforced in-situ component will be beneficial for Copernicus products validation and will enhance the assessment of climate change long-term mitigation and adaptation potential of forests, towards novel insights for climate-smart forest management.
Recent advances in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, satellite IoT connectivity and energy harvesting systems are opening unprecedented opportunities for the use of IoT devices in standalone experimental setups. In this context, the aim of the RemoTrees project is to design and build an innovative, autonomous in-situ monitoring system designed for remote forest areas and providing data via satellite communication to a dedicated RemoTrees platform. In this framework, RemoTrees will integrate existing and novel Earth Observation (EO) data with in-situ observations of Essential Climate Variables (ECVs: fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation, leaf area index, soil moisture, biomass change) and other key variables including e.g. stem growth, stem moisture, sap flow, canopy transmittance, besides air humidity and temperature. RemoTrees will include study cases on interoperability with GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems), and on how in-situ data can support an improved understanding of the climate variability impact on forests. The reinforced in-situ component will be beneficial for Copernicus products validation and will enhance the assessment of climate change long-term mitigation and adaptation potential of forests, towards novel insights for climate-smart forest management.
The project activities involved the following topics so far:
1) Design and production of RemoTrees devices
The selection of sensor components for the alpha prototype of the RemoTrees devices was completed addressing sensors hardware type and the device configuration and its production was thus carried out in due time. Initial laboratory tests allowed to characterize the sensors, particularly the multiband spectrometer, while later lan/outdoor tests allowed to collect data on the performance of the sensors under environmental conditions and setting relevant for their use.
Leveraging the results of the alpha prototype testing, an improved prototype version (beta) regarding the sensor configurations and the physical enclosure of the devices was developed. Main advancements consist of:
• Integration of a shortpass filter to the spectrometer module to eliminate significant near-infrared (NIR) crosstalk (peaked around 1050 ± 50nm) that could affect measurement accuracy.
• overall design of the RemoTrees and physical housing to improve practicality and performance by using a High Resistance Glass-filled Nylon case for more mechanical strength, UV resistance, and overall durability
• Direct Programmer Access for firmware updates, debugging, field tests, and calibrations without needing to open the sealed enclosure significantly simplifying maintenance and setup procedures.
• Integrated Battery: for streamlining the installation process, reducing potential connection failure points, and creating a more compact and reliable unit.
• Increased air temperature and relative humidity measurements accuracy.
2) Data collection from forest sites
A protocol for the collection of metadata and ancillary data from test sites and a protocol for the installation of the device at level 1 sites was produced. In particular, a workflow to collect core geospatial metadata from forest test sites through gridded products was completed. These include bioclimatic (CHELSA v2.1) soil (WRB), land cover (Copernicus), and topographic variables (e.g. STWI from NASADEM). These workflows were developed to be standardized, reproducible, and scalable.
Protocols including general instructions on the installation of the RemoTrees devices and listing the in-situ metadata and ancillary data to be collected were finalized. The field experimental design was addressed by developing a spatial decision model to support the selection of forest monitoring areas and representative trees for RT devices deployment. This model is now fully integrated into the standardized WP2 workflow.
3) Database
The conceptual design of the database to host data from the RemoTrees systems was finalized: the high-level data infrastructure that will be used for the RemoTrees Project will be based on FAIR (Findable Accessible Interoperable Reusable) Guiding Principles and on the “OGC SensorThings API (STA)standards. The hosted data will derive from distributed sensors in forest environments complemented by metadata and ancillary information from the installation sites, including quantitative and qualitative descriptors of the monitored trees and of the forest plot where they are located. A prototype of the database was implemented and tested for performance.
4) Integration of RemoTrees data in the Copernicus in-situ component
The main requirements for in-situ data collection in the framework of the Copernicus in-situ component, the Ground-Based Observations for Validation (GBOV) service of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service, as well as international Earth Observation Calibration and Validation initiatives (CEOS WGCV)—including those to be considered Fiducial Reference Measurements—have been gathered, along with general recommendations for in-situ observations from ecosystem networks and baseline networks for climate monitoring. Finally, the modes of engagement with Copernicus services and Cal/Val initiatives have been identified.
5) Financial and business models
A Competitor Analysis, representing the first step to evaluate the market landscape of the products generated by the RemoTrees project, was performed.
1) Design and production of RemoTrees devices
The selection of sensor components for the alpha prototype of the RemoTrees devices was completed addressing sensors hardware type and the device configuration and its production was thus carried out in due time. Initial laboratory tests allowed to characterize the sensors, particularly the multiband spectrometer, while later lan/outdoor tests allowed to collect data on the performance of the sensors under environmental conditions and setting relevant for their use.
Leveraging the results of the alpha prototype testing, an improved prototype version (beta) regarding the sensor configurations and the physical enclosure of the devices was developed. Main advancements consist of:
• Integration of a shortpass filter to the spectrometer module to eliminate significant near-infrared (NIR) crosstalk (peaked around 1050 ± 50nm) that could affect measurement accuracy.
• overall design of the RemoTrees and physical housing to improve practicality and performance by using a High Resistance Glass-filled Nylon case for more mechanical strength, UV resistance, and overall durability
• Direct Programmer Access for firmware updates, debugging, field tests, and calibrations without needing to open the sealed enclosure significantly simplifying maintenance and setup procedures.
• Integrated Battery: for streamlining the installation process, reducing potential connection failure points, and creating a more compact and reliable unit.
• Increased air temperature and relative humidity measurements accuracy.
2) Data collection from forest sites
A protocol for the collection of metadata and ancillary data from test sites and a protocol for the installation of the device at level 1 sites was produced. In particular, a workflow to collect core geospatial metadata from forest test sites through gridded products was completed. These include bioclimatic (CHELSA v2.1) soil (WRB), land cover (Copernicus), and topographic variables (e.g. STWI from NASADEM). These workflows were developed to be standardized, reproducible, and scalable.
Protocols including general instructions on the installation of the RemoTrees devices and listing the in-situ metadata and ancillary data to be collected were finalized. The field experimental design was addressed by developing a spatial decision model to support the selection of forest monitoring areas and representative trees for RT devices deployment. This model is now fully integrated into the standardized WP2 workflow.
3) Database
The conceptual design of the database to host data from the RemoTrees systems was finalized: the high-level data infrastructure that will be used for the RemoTrees Project will be based on FAIR (Findable Accessible Interoperable Reusable) Guiding Principles and on the “OGC SensorThings API (STA)standards. The hosted data will derive from distributed sensors in forest environments complemented by metadata and ancillary information from the installation sites, including quantitative and qualitative descriptors of the monitored trees and of the forest plot where they are located. A prototype of the database was implemented and tested for performance.
4) Integration of RemoTrees data in the Copernicus in-situ component
The main requirements for in-situ data collection in the framework of the Copernicus in-situ component, the Ground-Based Observations for Validation (GBOV) service of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service, as well as international Earth Observation Calibration and Validation initiatives (CEOS WGCV)—including those to be considered Fiducial Reference Measurements—have been gathered, along with general recommendations for in-situ observations from ecosystem networks and baseline networks for climate monitoring. Finally, the modes of engagement with Copernicus services and Cal/Val initiatives have been identified.
5) Financial and business models
A Competitor Analysis, representing the first step to evaluate the market landscape of the products generated by the RemoTrees project, was performed.
Production of a multisensor device allowing lower costs and improved geographical coverage and long-time series of in-situ observations from forests, including remote ones.