The project objective is to develop a pilot system to analyse Earth observation (EO) data of important natural habitats which will provide information derived from EO data in a useable format for environmental organisations. Customer requirements have been incorporated in the development of a pilot system. The system allows existing and potential customers to record their information needs in a centrally managed database accessed via an interface on the World Wide Web. Requirements for information are then passed to the most appropriate national data processing centre which produces the information from EO data and issues the resulting maps or statistics to the customer. Earth observation Natura (EON) has included an examination of the most appropriate change detection and habitat mapping techniques to ensure the highest quality results are delivered to customers. The EON system also provides an interface for exchange of information between customers and processing centres. Sample data sets are accessible to the public to generate interest in EO data for habitat monitoring. The EON system is currently being tested before being made fully available to potential customers.
Specific Scottish, Finnish and Austrian test sites have been selected in conjunction with potential customers. Data has been collected from a variety of satellite and airborne sensor sources from the late 1980s onwards. This data is being supplemented with digital maps, geographical information system (GIS) information and ground survey material to generate the required map products.