Sustained and spatially explicit monitoring of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is critical for effectively tracking progress toward the global Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).Although la...Sustained and spatially explicit monitoring of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is critical for effectively tracking progress toward the global Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).Although land cover information has long been recognized as an essential component for monitoring SDGs,a standardized scientific framework for identifying and prioritizing land cover related essential variables does not exist.Therefore,we propose a novel expert-and data-driven framework for identifying,refining,and selecting a priority list of Essential Land cover-related Variables for SDGs(ELcV4SDGs).This framework integrates methods including expert knowledge-based analysis,clustering of variables with similar attributes,and quantified index calculation to establish the priority list.Applying the framework to 15 specific SDG indicators,we found that the ELcV4SDGs priority list comprises three main categories,type and structure,pattern and intensity,and process and evolution of land cover,which are further divided into 19 subcategories and ultimately encompass 50 general variables.The ELcV4SDGs will support detailed spatial monitoring and enhance their scientific applications for SDG monitoring and assessment,thereby guiding future SDG priority actions and informing decision-making to advance the 2030 SDGs agenda at local,national,and global levels.展开更多
The practice of raw material extraction has a high impact on the environment and represents a potential threat to the health and thriving of local communities.The concept of Extractive Essential Variables(EEVs)are exp...The practice of raw material extraction has a high impact on the environment and represents a potential threat to the health and thriving of local communities.The concept of Extractive Essential Variables(EEVs)are explored in order to propose variables that can be used to quantify the environmental footprint of mineral extraction.Considering the interdependence of mining activities with social,economic and environmental issues,the variables target the development of monitoring tools for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).The identification of EEVs is based on the use of Earth Observation products in the field of mineral resources exploitation.A list of variables is proposed based on three classes of Essential Variables(EVs):installation and exploration phase,mineral extraction,and ore processing.These variables take into account the impacts of mining on the hydrology,land,water resources and the atmosphere of the area subjected to mineral exploitation.One of the variables is implemented as an operational workflow addressing SDG15,“life on land”.The workflow is intended to assess the area of forest ecosystem lost due to the presence of a mining site.Geospatial data on the extent of mining concessions and forest cover are combined using ArcGIS^(TM).The workflow is successively translated into a Unix script to automatize the process of data treatment.The script is developed using the Geospatial Data Abstraction Library(GDAL).The use of a Virtual Laboratory Platform(VLab),a web-service-based access platform,increases the accessibility of data and resources and the re-use of the script.This work is a first attempt to propose a framework of EEVs,derived data workflows,while the underlying methodology,partially based on scientific publications and on personal reasoning,still needs to be tested and,improved based on expertise in the sector.展开更多
When defining indicators on the environment,the use of existing initiatives should be a priority rather than redefining indicators each time.From an Information,Communication and Technology perspective,data interopera...When defining indicators on the environment,the use of existing initiatives should be a priority rather than redefining indicators each time.From an Information,Communication and Technology perspective,data interoperability and standardization are critical to improve data access and exchange as promoted by the Group on Earth Observations.GEOEssential is following an end-user driven approach by defining Essential Variables(EVs),as an intermediate value between environmental policy indicators and their appropriate data sources.From international to local scales,environmental policies and indicators are increasingly percolating down from the global to the local agendas.The scientific business processes for the generation of EVs and related indicators can be formalized in workflows specifying the necessary logical steps.To this aim,GEOEssential is developing a Virtual Laboratory the main objective of which is to instantiate conceptual workflows,which are stored in a dedicated knowledge base,generating executable workflows.To interpret and present the relevant outputs/results carried out by the different thematic workflows considered in GEOEssential(i.e.biodiversity,ecosystems,extractives,night light,and food-water-energy nexus),a Dashboard is built as a visual front-end.This is a valuable instrument to track progresses towards environmental policies.展开更多
In recent years,researchers of different communities have increased their efforts in formalizing a set of measurements regularly collected for analysing changes in Drivers,States,Impacts and Responses of a given disci...In recent years,researchers of different communities have increased their efforts in formalizing a set of measurements regularly collected for analysing changes in Drivers,States,Impacts and Responses of a given discipline.In some cases,different actors have converged in a minimum set of Essential Variables(EVs),such as for Climate,Biodiversity or Oceans.The definition of such EVs is an ongoing evolution and in extension(e.g.EVs for water)although some communities have not even started(e.g.agriculture and energy).This paper characterizes the Earth Observation(EO)networks and creates a graph representation of their relations.Secondly,this graph is enriched with the EVs produced by each network creating a knowledge base.Finally,an effort has been done to identify links between EVs and Sustainable Development Goals(SDG)indicators in a way that they indirectly connect the EO.An analysis to detect gaps in EO variables due to a lack of observational networks is performed.Several suggestions for improving SDG indicators framework by considering EVs are exposed,as well as proposing new necessary EVs and suggesting new EO based indicators.The complete graph is available in the ENEON website(http://www.eneon.net/graphev-sdg/).展开更多
Within this survey we describe the conceptual architecture of the infrastructure to measure PM2.5/PM10 concentration in the atmosphere over the Kyiv city using modern monitoring instruments.We define the requirements ...Within this survey we describe the conceptual architecture of the infrastructure to measure PM2.5/PM10 concentration in the atmosphere over the Kyiv city using modern monitoring instruments.We define the requirements for information tools and network for informing Kyiv city community on the state of PM pollutions that will be created.This infrastructure will provide long-term PM2.5/PM10 observations that could be included in the AirBase network.The comprehensive review of in-situ and satellite measurements of PM2.5/PM10 is provided as well as the description current state-of-the-art for Air Quality monitoring with intelligent sensors and systems in Ukraine as-awhole and in Kyiv in particular.It is proposed to apply the concept of essential variables(EVs)used in Earth Observation to identify the variables that should be measured in priority when designing,deploying and maintaining observation systems.In this study we use and validate the global air quality products from Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service obtained from modeling by GEOS-Chem model and other sources.The influence of PM and aerosols on a human health is estimated in terms of possible diseases and dangerous concentrations.展开更多
A weather station is proposed especially designed for developing countries, and to meet the standards of the international scientific community making research on the earth system. The station would measure in situ se...A weather station is proposed especially designed for developing countries, and to meet the standards of the international scientific community making research on the earth system. The station would measure in situ several ECV （essential climate variables）. These data may enable an agricultural breakthrough in countries lacking meteorological infrastructure, help in climate change monitoring, and facilitate diffusion of wind energy. A pre-feasibility analysis is presented. It appears interesting that the station is supplied by a social enterprise. A research to establish the best shelter design using computational fluid dynamics is also reported. The criterion is the accuracy with which the surface air temperature is reproduced inside the shelter. A design following recommendations by the WMO （World Meteorological Organization）, a smaller design with identical geometry, and two alternative small designs are analyzed. All four designs are simulated in PVC, natural rubber and wood, with and without white paint coating. The smaller shelters perform better. The influence of the material, dimensions and design is smaller than that of the white paint. Shelters made of PVC or rubber, and/or in alternative designs, may be more interesting if other criteria are considered, like whether logistics, manufacturing, etc. are more sustainable, easier and/or cheaper.展开更多
The United Nations’2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets seventeen Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)to be achieved by 2030.Earth observation are needed that can support the development and validation of tran...The United Nations’2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets seventeen Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)to be achieved by 2030.Earth observation are needed that can support the development and validation of transformation policies to make progress towards the SDGs.A participatory and inclusive goal-based approach(GBA)is introduced that links societal goals,targets and indicators to Essential Transformation Variables(ETVs)of the human and non-human environment.The GBA is complementary to the widely used expertbased approach.The GBA is applied to the SDGs at the goal,target and indicator levels.The high-level conceptual model used for the SDGs is humanity embedded in the Earth’s life-support system(ELSS).At the goal level,very few of the SDGs are directly focusing on the ELSS and its physiology.Most of the SDG Targets focus on transformations in society and the built environment.Having targets that explicitly focus on the physiology of the ELSS would be important for sustainability.Most of the current indicator measure the built environment and the embedded social fabric.Sustainable development requires a functioning ELSS,and to ensure this,complementary indicators that bring environmental aspects to the monitoring of SDG targets are needed.展开更多
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals present clear directions toward the green transformation being sought by the global com-munity.The SDGs are an integrated framework,with a complex network of interlinkages between ...The 17 Sustainable Development Goals present clear directions toward the green transformation being sought by the global com-munity.The SDGs are an integrated framework,with a complex network of interlinkages between the goals,targets and indicators,and they pose wicked problems to society.Consequently,measur-ing progress and achievements with the SDGs requires the integra-tion of various spatio-temporal datasets from different domains and the synthesis of disciplines to describe a system of systems.The Group on Earth Observations has developed the concept of Essential Variables to describe systems across Societal Benefit Areas that are applicable for this purpose.Digital Earth is a virtual representation of the planet,potentially encompassing all its sys-tems and life forms,including human societies.Designed as a multidimensional,multi-scale,multi-temporal,and multi-layer informa-tion facility,Digital Earth is a valuable platform that can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and a green transformation.To that end,a set of Essential SDGs Variables(ESDGVs)for the platform are proposed and cases of implementation and use are introduced.展开更多
Essential Variables are defined as a minimal set of variables that explain the state of the system.They are crucial for predicting its developments,and support metrics that measure its evolution.The variables should b...Essential Variables are defined as a minimal set of variables that explain the state of the system.They are crucial for predicting its developments,and support metrics that measure its evolution.The variables should be relevant to meet requirements of stakeholders and be technically and economically feasible for systematic observation.A definition of Essential Renewable Energies Variables is proposed linked with their identification in several domains in renewable energy using a bottom-up and userdriven approach,and spanning over several years of documented interaction with stakeholders.Lists of variables are proposed in hydropower,solar,wind,and marine energies.It does not comprise the variables relating to social and economic aspects supporting decision making in investment nor those relating to civil engineering that are needed to erect a plant or farm.展开更多
The United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)to address societal,economic and environmental sustainability issues.The efficiency of SDGs monitoring could be improved by essential variables(EVs),whi...The United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)to address societal,economic and environmental sustainability issues.The efficiency of SDGs monitoring could be improved by essential variables(EVs),which can help to better deal with massive data,interdisciplinary knowledge and workloads.However,in practice,effectively combining EVs with SDGs monitoring remains challenging.In this paper,we proposed a refining method of essential SDGs variables(ESDGVs)to land degradation.Firstly,we selected northwest China as our experimental region and extracted a group of variables related to land degradation from SDG indicators based on the DPSIR framework.Next,we identify the essential ones using a combined qualitative and quantitative methods with the criteria of feasibility,spatialization,and relevance which considered the issues of data acquisition,monitoring scale,and closeness to the land degradation.Finally,we analysed the monitoring role of ESDGVs.Results show that,compared to conventional observations,ESDGVs facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of regional SDGs with reduced efforts.And both climate and human activities have a facilitating or inhibiting effect on land degradation processes.In the future,we hope to have more mature data sets and consider adding more SDG indicators for ESDGVs’refinement.展开更多
Essential Climate Variables(ECVs)are geophysical records generated from systematic Earth Observations associated with climate variations,changes,and impacts.ECVs products support the data and information needs of inte...Essential Climate Variables(ECVs)are geophysical records generated from systematic Earth Observations associated with climate variations,changes,and impacts.ECVs products support the data and information needs of international frameworks and policies such as the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC)and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC).We map the main networks and initiatives publishing ECVs,by presenting an overview of existing satellite-based ECVs,their general data creation characteristics,discoverability and accessibility methods from an end-user perspective.We investigate key initiatives providing or coordinating access to ECV data records,such as the Global Climate Observing System(GCOS),the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites(CEOS),the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites(CGMS),Joint Working Group on Climate(WGClimate),the Remote Sensing Systems(REMSS),and the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative(ESA CCI).We find that ECV data discovery and access is difficult and time consuming due to the lack of common data and metadata catalogues.In addition,the selection of fit-for-purpose data records by end-users requires the implementation of interoperable standards and scalable data infrastructures to allow the generation of tailored applications and datadriven information products in support of decision-making processes.展开更多
Global,fast and accessible monitoring of biodiversity is one of the main pillars of the efforts undertaken in order to revert it loss.The Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network(GEO-BON)provided a...Global,fast and accessible monitoring of biodiversity is one of the main pillars of the efforts undertaken in order to revert it loss.The Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network(GEO-BON)provided an expert-based definition of the biological properties that should be monitored,the Essential Biodiversity Variables(EBVs).Initiatives to provide indicators for EBVs rely on global,freely available remote sensing(RS)products in combination with empirical models and field data,and are invaluable for decision making.In this study,we provide alternatives for the expansion and improvement of the EBV indicators,by suggesting current and future data from the European Space Agencýs COPERNICUS and explore the potential of RS-integrated Dynamic Global Vegetation Models(DGVMs)for the estimation of EBVs.Our review found that mainly due to the inclusion of the Sentinel constellation,Copernicus products have similar or superior potential for EBV indicator estimation in relation to their NASA counterparts.DGVMs simulate the ecosystem level EBVs(ecosystem function and structure),and when integrated with remote sensing data have great potential to not only offer improved estimation of current states but to provide projection of ecosystem impacts.We suggest that focus on producing EBV relevant outputs should be a priority within the research community,to support biodiversity preservation efforts.展开更多
In 2015,it was adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end poverty,protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.The year after,17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)officiall...In 2015,it was adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end poverty,protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.The year after,17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)officially came into force.In 2015,GEO(Group on Earth Observation)declared to support the implementation of SDGs.The GEO Global Earth Observation System of Systems(GEOSS)required a change of paradigm,moving from a data-centric approach to a more knowledge-driven one.To this end,the GEO System-of-Systems(SoS)framework may refer to the well-known Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom(DIKW)paradigm.In the context of an Earth Observation(EO)SoS,a set of main elements are recognized as connecting links for generating knowledge from EO and non-EO data–e.g.social and economic datasets.These elements are:Essential Variables(EVs),Indicators and Indexes,Goals and Targets.Their generation and use requires the development of a SoS KB whose management process has evolved the GEOSS Software Ecosystem into a GEOSS Social Ecosystem.This includes:collect,formalize,publish,access,use,and update knowledge.ConnectinGEO project analysed the knowledge necessary to recognize,formalize,access,and use EVs.The analysis recognized GEOSS gaps providing recommendations on supporting global decision-making within and across different domains.展开更多
For evaluating the progresses towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs),a global indicator framework was developed by the UN Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goals Indicators.In...For evaluating the progresses towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs),a global indicator framework was developed by the UN Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goals Indicators.In this paper,we propose an improved methodology and a set of workflows for calculating SDGs indicators.The main improvements consist of using moderate and high spatial resolution satellite data and state-of-the-art deep learning methodology for land cover classification and for assessing land productivity.Within the European Network for Observing our Changing Planet(ERA-PLANET),three SDGs indicators are calculated.In this research,harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 data are analyzed and used for land productivity analysis and yield assessment,as well as Landsat 8,Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 time series are utilized for crop mapping.We calculate for the whole territory of Ukraine SDG indicators:15.1.1–‘Forest area as proportion of total land area’;15.3.1–‘Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area’;and 2.4.1–‘Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture’.Workflows for calculating these indicators were implemented in a Virtual Laboratory Platform.We conclude that newly available high-resolution remote sensing products can significantly improve our capacity to assess several SDGs indicators through dedicated workflows.展开更多
There is a growing recognition of the interdependencies among the supply systems that rely upon food,water and energy.Billions of people lack safe and sufficient access to these systems,coupled with a rapidly growing ...There is a growing recognition of the interdependencies among the supply systems that rely upon food,water and energy.Billions of people lack safe and sufficient access to these systems,coupled with a rapidly growing global demand and increasing resource constraints.Modeling frameworks are considered one of the few means available to understand the complex interrelationships among the sectors,however development of nexus related frameworks has been limited.We describe three opensource models well known in their respective domains(i.e.TerrSysMP,WOFOST and SWAT)where components of each if combined could help decision-makers address the nexus issue.We propose as a first step the development of simple workflows utilizing essential variables and addressing components of the above-mentioned models which can act as building-blocks to be used ultimately in a comprehensive nexus model framework.The outputs of the workflows and the model framework are designed to address the SDGs.展开更多
In 2014,The GEOSS Water Strategy–From Observations to Decisions was published and steps were taken to implement the Strategy’s recommendations.The Strategy highlighted priority areas where the application of Earth o...In 2014,The GEOSS Water Strategy–From Observations to Decisions was published and steps were taken to implement the Strategy’s recommendations.The Strategy highlighted priority areas where the application of Earth observations to water research and water management decisions would have significant scientific and societal benefits.This article reviews the implementation of the Strategy’s recommendations over the past eight years.After a review of the Strategy’s assessment of the needs for water observations and their applications,it then reviews actions taken in response to the Strategy’s recommendations in its four major themes:improved data acquisition for Essential Water Variables,research and product development,interoperability,and capacity development.It highlights significant achievements in the implementation of the Strategy including some motivated by factors beyond this Strategy,reviews actions taken by participating agencies and programs for each of the main themes and summarizes the remaining challenges in achieving the Strategy’s full implementation.The article not only is an update for the Water Community regarding the GEOSS Water Strategy,but it is also an example of how other communities could develop and promulgate a set of strategic recommendations,monitor progress,and carry out assessments of their effectiveness.展开更多
Aiming at the convergence between Earth observation(EO)Big Data and Artificial General Intelligence(AGI),this two-part paper identifies an innovative,but realistic EO optical sensory imagederived semantics-enriched An...Aiming at the convergence between Earth observation(EO)Big Data and Artificial General Intelligence(AGI),this two-part paper identifies an innovative,but realistic EO optical sensory imagederived semantics-enriched Analysis Ready Data(ARD)productpair and process gold standard as linchpin for success of a new notion of Space Economy 4.0.To be implemented in operational mode at the space segment and/or midstream segment by both public and private EO big data providers,it is regarded as necessarybut-not-sufficient“horizontal”(enabling)precondition for:(I)Transforming existing EO big raster-based data cubes at the midstream segment,typically affected by the so-called data-rich information-poor syndrome,into a new generation of semanticsenabled EO big raster-based numerical data and vector-based categorical(symbolic,semi-symbolic or subsymbolic)information cube management systems,eligible for semantic content-based image retrieval and semantics-enabled information/knowledge discovery.(II)Boosting the downstream segment in the development of an ever-increasing ensemble of“vertical”(deep and narrow,user-specific and domain-dependent)value–adding information products and services,suitable for a potentially huge worldwide market of institutional and private end-users of space technology.For the sake of readability,this paper consists of two parts.In the present Part 1,first,background notions in the remote sensing metascience domain are critically revised for harmonization across the multidisciplinary domain of cognitive science.In short,keyword“information”is disambiguated into the two complementary notions of quantitative/unequivocal information-as-thing and qualitative/equivocal/inherently ill-posed information-as-data-interpretation.Moreover,buzzword“artificial intelligence”is disambiguated into the two better-constrained notions of Artificial Narrow Intelligence as part-without-inheritance-of AGI.Second,based on a betterdefined and better-understood vocabulary of multidisciplinary terms,existing EO optical sensory image-derived Level 2/ARD products and processes are investigated at the Marr five levels of understanding of an information processing system.To overcome their drawbacks,an innovative,but realistic EO optical sensory image-derived semantics-enriched ARD product-pair and process gold standard is proposed in the subsequent Part 2.展开更多
Aiming at the convergence between Earth observation(EO)Big Data and Artificial General Intelligence(AGI),this paper consists of two parts.In the previous Part 1,existing EO optical sensory imagederived Level 2/Analysi...Aiming at the convergence between Earth observation(EO)Big Data and Artificial General Intelligence(AGI),this paper consists of two parts.In the previous Part 1,existing EO optical sensory imagederived Level 2/Analysis Ready Data(ARD)products and processes are critically compared,to overcome their lack of harmonization/standardization/interoperability and suitability in a new notion of Space Economy 4.0.In the present Part 2,original contributions comprise,at the Marr five levels of system understanding:(1)an innovative,but realistic EO optical sensory image-derived semantics-enriched ARD co-product pair requirements specification.First,in the pursuit of third-level semantic/ontological interoperability,a novel ARD symbolic(categorical and semantic)co-product,known as Scene Classification Map(SCM),adopts an augmented Cloud versus Not-Cloud taxonomy,whose Not-Cloud class legend complies with the standard fully-nested Land Cover Classification System’s Dichotomous Phase taxonomy proposed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.Second,a novel ARD subsymbolic numerical co-product,specifically,a panchromatic or multispectral EO image whose dimensionless digital numbers are radiometrically calibrated into a physical unit of radiometric measure,ranging from top-of-atmosphere reflectance to surface reflectance and surface albedo values,in a five-stage radiometric correction sequence.(2)An original ARD process requirements specification.(3)An innovative ARD processing system design(architecture),where stepwise SCM generation and stepwise SCM-conditional EO optical image radiometric correction are alternated in sequence.(4)An original modular hierarchical hybrid(combined deductive and inductive)computer vision subsystem design,provided with feedback loops,where software solutions at the Marr two shallowest levels of system understanding,specifically,algorithm and implementation,are selected from the scientific literature,to benefit from their technology readiness level as proof of feasibility,required in addition to proven suitability.To be implemented in operational mode at the space segment and/or midstream segment by both public and private EO big data providers,the proposed EO optical sensory image-derived semantics-enriched ARD product-pair and process reference standard is highlighted as linchpin for success of a new notion of Space Economy 4.0.展开更多
基金supported by the Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41930650)Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42301310).
文摘Sustained and spatially explicit monitoring of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is critical for effectively tracking progress toward the global Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).Although land cover information has long been recognized as an essential component for monitoring SDGs,a standardized scientific framework for identifying and prioritizing land cover related essential variables does not exist.Therefore,we propose a novel expert-and data-driven framework for identifying,refining,and selecting a priority list of Essential Land cover-related Variables for SDGs(ELcV4SDGs).This framework integrates methods including expert knowledge-based analysis,clustering of variables with similar attributes,and quantified index calculation to establish the priority list.Applying the framework to 15 specific SDG indicators,we found that the ELcV4SDGs priority list comprises three main categories,type and structure,pattern and intensity,and process and evolution of land cover,which are further divided into 19 subcategories and ultimately encompass 50 general variables.The ELcV4SDGs will support detailed spatial monitoring and enhance their scientific applications for SDG monitoring and assessment,thereby guiding future SDG priority actions and informing decision-making to advance the 2030 SDGs agenda at local,national,and global levels.
基金The authors would like to acknowledge the European Commission“Horizon 2020 Program”that funded ERAPLANET/GEOEssential project(Grant Agreement no.689443).
文摘The practice of raw material extraction has a high impact on the environment and represents a potential threat to the health and thriving of local communities.The concept of Extractive Essential Variables(EEVs)are explored in order to propose variables that can be used to quantify the environmental footprint of mineral extraction.Considering the interdependence of mining activities with social,economic and environmental issues,the variables target the development of monitoring tools for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).The identification of EEVs is based on the use of Earth Observation products in the field of mineral resources exploitation.A list of variables is proposed based on three classes of Essential Variables(EVs):installation and exploration phase,mineral extraction,and ore processing.These variables take into account the impacts of mining on the hydrology,land,water resources and the atmosphere of the area subjected to mineral exploitation.One of the variables is implemented as an operational workflow addressing SDG15,“life on land”.The workflow is intended to assess the area of forest ecosystem lost due to the presence of a mining site.Geospatial data on the extent of mining concessions and forest cover are combined using ArcGIS^(TM).The workflow is successively translated into a Unix script to automatize the process of data treatment.The script is developed using the Geospatial Data Abstraction Library(GDAL).The use of a Virtual Laboratory Platform(VLab),a web-service-based access platform,increases the accessibility of data and resources and the re-use of the script.This work is a first attempt to propose a framework of EEVs,derived data workflows,while the underlying methodology,partially based on scientific publications and on personal reasoning,still needs to be tested and,improved based on expertise in the sector.
基金This work was supported by European Commission[grant number H2020 ERA-PLANET project No.689443].
文摘When defining indicators on the environment,the use of existing initiatives should be a priority rather than redefining indicators each time.From an Information,Communication and Technology perspective,data interoperability and standardization are critical to improve data access and exchange as promoted by the Group on Earth Observations.GEOEssential is following an end-user driven approach by defining Essential Variables(EVs),as an intermediate value between environmental policy indicators and their appropriate data sources.From international to local scales,environmental policies and indicators are increasingly percolating down from the global to the local agendas.The scientific business processes for the generation of EVs and related indicators can be formalized in workflows specifying the necessary logical steps.To this aim,GEOEssential is developing a Virtual Laboratory the main objective of which is to instantiate conceptual workflows,which are stored in a dedicated knowledge base,generating executable workflows.To interpret and present the relevant outputs/results carried out by the different thematic workflows considered in GEOEssential(i.e.biodiversity,ecosystems,extractives,night light,and food-water-energy nexus),a Dashboard is built as a visual front-end.This is a valuable instrument to track progresses towards environmental policies.
基金The authors would like to acknowledge the European Union‘Horizon 2020 Program’that funded ERA-PLANET/GEOEssential(Grant Agreement no.689443)ConnectinGEO(Grant Agreement no.641538)+1 种基金ECOPotential(Grant Agreement no.641762)NextGEOSS(Grant Agreement no.730329)projects.
文摘In recent years,researchers of different communities have increased their efforts in formalizing a set of measurements regularly collected for analysing changes in Drivers,States,Impacts and Responses of a given discipline.In some cases,different actors have converged in a minimum set of Essential Variables(EVs),such as for Climate,Biodiversity or Oceans.The definition of such EVs is an ongoing evolution and in extension(e.g.EVs for water)although some communities have not even started(e.g.agriculture and energy).This paper characterizes the Earth Observation(EO)networks and creates a graph representation of their relations.Secondly,this graph is enriched with the EVs produced by each network creating a knowledge base.Finally,an effort has been done to identify links between EVs and Sustainable Development Goals(SDG)indicators in a way that they indirectly connect the EO.An analysis to detect gaps in EO variables due to a lack of observational networks is performed.Several suggestions for improving SDG indicators framework by considering EVs are exposed,as well as proposing new necessary EVs and suggesting new EO based indicators.The complete graph is available in the ENEON website(http://www.eneon.net/graphev-sdg/).
基金The authors would like to acknowledge the European Commission‘Horizon 2020 Program’that funded ERA-PLANET/SMURBS,ERA-PLANET/GEOEssential,ERA-PLANET/IGOSP(Grant Agreement no.689443)‘Intelligent technologies for satellite monitoring of environment based on deep learning and cloud computing’InTeLLeCT(STCU project no.6386).
文摘Within this survey we describe the conceptual architecture of the infrastructure to measure PM2.5/PM10 concentration in the atmosphere over the Kyiv city using modern monitoring instruments.We define the requirements for information tools and network for informing Kyiv city community on the state of PM pollutions that will be created.This infrastructure will provide long-term PM2.5/PM10 observations that could be included in the AirBase network.The comprehensive review of in-situ and satellite measurements of PM2.5/PM10 is provided as well as the description current state-of-the-art for Air Quality monitoring with intelligent sensors and systems in Ukraine as-awhole and in Kyiv in particular.It is proposed to apply the concept of essential variables(EVs)used in Earth Observation to identify the variables that should be measured in priority when designing,deploying and maintaining observation systems.In this study we use and validate the global air quality products from Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service obtained from modeling by GEOS-Chem model and other sources.The influence of PM and aerosols on a human health is estimated in terms of possible diseases and dangerous concentrations.
文摘A weather station is proposed especially designed for developing countries, and to meet the standards of the international scientific community making research on the earth system. The station would measure in situ several ECV （essential climate variables）. These data may enable an agricultural breakthrough in countries lacking meteorological infrastructure, help in climate change monitoring, and facilitate diffusion of wind energy. A pre-feasibility analysis is presented. It appears interesting that the station is supplied by a social enterprise. A research to establish the best shelter design using computational fluid dynamics is also reported. The criterion is the accuracy with which the surface air temperature is reproduced inside the shelter. A design following recommendations by the WMO （World Meteorological Organization）, a smaller design with identical geometry, and two alternative small designs are analyzed. All four designs are simulated in PVC, natural rubber and wood, with and without white paint coating. The smaller shelters perform better. The influence of the material, dimensions and design is smaller than that of the white paint. Shelters made of PVC or rubber, and/or in alternative designs, may be more interesting if other criteria are considered, like whether logistics, manufacturing, etc. are more sustainable, easier and/or cheaper.
基金This work was supported by Horizon 2020 Framework Programme[641538]National Aeronautics and Space Administration[80NSSC17K0241].
文摘The United Nations’2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets seventeen Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)to be achieved by 2030.Earth observation are needed that can support the development and validation of transformation policies to make progress towards the SDGs.A participatory and inclusive goal-based approach(GBA)is introduced that links societal goals,targets and indicators to Essential Transformation Variables(ETVs)of the human and non-human environment.The GBA is complementary to the widely used expertbased approach.The GBA is applied to the SDGs at the goal,target and indicator levels.The high-level conceptual model used for the SDGs is humanity embedded in the Earth’s life-support system(ELSS).At the goal level,very few of the SDGs are directly focusing on the ELSS and its physiology.Most of the SDG Targets focus on transformations in society and the built environment.Having targets that explicitly focus on the physiology of the ELSS would be important for sustainability.Most of the current indicator measure the built environment and the embedded social fabric.Sustainable development requires a functioning ELSS,and to ensure this,complementary indicators that bring environmental aspects to the monitoring of SDG targets are needed.
文摘The 17 Sustainable Development Goals present clear directions toward the green transformation being sought by the global com-munity.The SDGs are an integrated framework,with a complex network of interlinkages between the goals,targets and indicators,and they pose wicked problems to society.Consequently,measur-ing progress and achievements with the SDGs requires the integra-tion of various spatio-temporal datasets from different domains and the synthesis of disciplines to describe a system of systems.The Group on Earth Observations has developed the concept of Essential Variables to describe systems across Societal Benefit Areas that are applicable for this purpose.Digital Earth is a virtual representation of the planet,potentially encompassing all its sys-tems and life forms,including human societies.Designed as a multidimensional,multi-scale,multi-temporal,and multi-layer informa-tion facility,Digital Earth is a valuable platform that can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and a green transformation.To that end,a set of Essential SDGs Variables(ESDGVs)for the platform are proposed and cases of implementation and use are introduced.
基金The authors are acknowledging the support of the H2020 program through the ConnectinGEO project.This project was funded by the EU FP for Research and Innovation(SC5-18a-2014-H2020)under grant agreement n°641538.
文摘Essential Variables are defined as a minimal set of variables that explain the state of the system.They are crucial for predicting its developments,and support metrics that measure its evolution.The variables should be relevant to meet requirements of stakeholders and be technically and economically feasible for systematic observation.A definition of Essential Renewable Energies Variables is proposed linked with their identification in several domains in renewable energy using a bottom-up and userdriven approach,and spanning over several years of documented interaction with stakeholders.Lists of variables are proposed in hydropower,solar,wind,and marine energies.It does not comprise the variables relating to social and economic aspects supporting decision making in investment nor those relating to civil engineering that are needed to erect a plant or farm.
基金supported by the key program of National Natural Science Foundation of China[grant number 41930650].
文摘The United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)to address societal,economic and environmental sustainability issues.The efficiency of SDGs monitoring could be improved by essential variables(EVs),which can help to better deal with massive data,interdisciplinary knowledge and workloads.However,in practice,effectively combining EVs with SDGs monitoring remains challenging.In this paper,we proposed a refining method of essential SDGs variables(ESDGVs)to land degradation.Firstly,we selected northwest China as our experimental region and extracted a group of variables related to land degradation from SDG indicators based on the DPSIR framework.Next,we identify the essential ones using a combined qualitative and quantitative methods with the criteria of feasibility,spatialization,and relevance which considered the issues of data acquisition,monitoring scale,and closeness to the land degradation.Finally,we analysed the monitoring role of ESDGVs.Results show that,compared to conventional observations,ESDGVs facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of regional SDGs with reduced efforts.And both climate and human activities have a facilitating or inhibiting effect on land degradation processes.In the future,we hope to have more mature data sets and consider adding more SDG indicators for ESDGVs’refinement.
基金This work was supported by Horizon 2020 Framework Programme[grant number 689443].
文摘Essential Climate Variables(ECVs)are geophysical records generated from systematic Earth Observations associated with climate variations,changes,and impacts.ECVs products support the data and information needs of international frameworks and policies such as the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC)and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC).We map the main networks and initiatives publishing ECVs,by presenting an overview of existing satellite-based ECVs,their general data creation characteristics,discoverability and accessibility methods from an end-user perspective.We investigate key initiatives providing or coordinating access to ECV data records,such as the Global Climate Observing System(GCOS),the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites(CEOS),the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites(CGMS),Joint Working Group on Climate(WGClimate),the Remote Sensing Systems(REMSS),and the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative(ESA CCI).We find that ECV data discovery and access is difficult and time consuming due to the lack of common data and metadata catalogues.In addition,the selection of fit-for-purpose data records by end-users requires the implementation of interoperable standards and scalable data infrastructures to allow the generation of tailored applications and datadriven information products in support of decision-making processes.
基金The authors would like to acknowledge the European Commission‘Horizon 2020 Program’that funded ERA-PLANET/GEOEssential(Grant Agreement no.689443)project.H2020 Societal Challenges.
文摘Global,fast and accessible monitoring of biodiversity is one of the main pillars of the efforts undertaken in order to revert it loss.The Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network(GEO-BON)provided an expert-based definition of the biological properties that should be monitored,the Essential Biodiversity Variables(EBVs).Initiatives to provide indicators for EBVs rely on global,freely available remote sensing(RS)products in combination with empirical models and field data,and are invaluable for decision making.In this study,we provide alternatives for the expansion and improvement of the EBV indicators,by suggesting current and future data from the European Space Agencýs COPERNICUS and explore the potential of RS-integrated Dynamic Global Vegetation Models(DGVMs)for the estimation of EBVs.Our review found that mainly due to the inclusion of the Sentinel constellation,Copernicus products have similar or superior potential for EBV indicator estimation in relation to their NASA counterparts.DGVMs simulate the ecosystem level EBVs(ecosystem function and structure),and when integrated with remote sensing data have great potential to not only offer improved estimation of current states but to provide projection of ecosystem impacts.We suggest that focus on producing EBV relevant outputs should be a priority within the research community,to support biodiversity preservation efforts.
基金This work was supported by the European Commission,Directorate-General for Research and Innovation[ConnectinGEO grant#641538,ECOPOTENTIAL grant#641762,ERA-PLANET/GEOEssential grant#689443].
文摘In 2015,it was adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end poverty,protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.The year after,17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)officially came into force.In 2015,GEO(Group on Earth Observation)declared to support the implementation of SDGs.The GEO Global Earth Observation System of Systems(GEOSS)required a change of paradigm,moving from a data-centric approach to a more knowledge-driven one.To this end,the GEO System-of-Systems(SoS)framework may refer to the well-known Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom(DIKW)paradigm.In the context of an Earth Observation(EO)SoS,a set of main elements are recognized as connecting links for generating knowledge from EO and non-EO data–e.g.social and economic datasets.These elements are:Essential Variables(EVs),Indicators and Indexes,Goals and Targets.Their generation and use requires the development of a SoS KB whose management process has evolved the GEOSS Software Ecosystem into a GEOSS Social Ecosystem.This includes:collect,formalize,publish,access,use,and update knowledge.ConnectinGEO project analysed the knowledge necessary to recognize,formalize,access,and use EVs.The analysis recognized GEOSS gaps providing recommendations on supporting global decision-making within and across different domains.
基金This work was supported by the European Commission‘Horizon 2020 Program’that funded ERA-PLANET/GEOEs-sential,ERA-PLANET/SMURBS(Grant Agreement no.689443)NASA project‘Crop Yield Assessment and Mapping by a Combined use of Landsat-8,Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 Images’(grant number 80NSSC18K0336)‘Intelligent technologies for satellite monitoring of environment based on deep learning and cloud computing’InTeLLeCT(STCU project no.6386).
文摘For evaluating the progresses towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs),a global indicator framework was developed by the UN Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goals Indicators.In this paper,we propose an improved methodology and a set of workflows for calculating SDGs indicators.The main improvements consist of using moderate and high spatial resolution satellite data and state-of-the-art deep learning methodology for land cover classification and for assessing land productivity.Within the European Network for Observing our Changing Planet(ERA-PLANET),three SDGs indicators are calculated.In this research,harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 data are analyzed and used for land productivity analysis and yield assessment,as well as Landsat 8,Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 time series are utilized for crop mapping.We calculate for the whole territory of Ukraine SDG indicators:15.1.1–‘Forest area as proportion of total land area’;15.3.1–‘Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area’;and 2.4.1–‘Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture’.Workflows for calculating these indicators were implemented in a Virtual Laboratory Platform.We conclude that newly available high-resolution remote sensing products can significantly improve our capacity to assess several SDGs indicators through dedicated workflows.
基金The authors would like to acknowledge the European Commission Horizon 2020 Program that funded both the ERAPLANET/GEOEssential(Grant Agreement no.689443)ConnectinGEO(Grant Agreement no.641538)projects.
文摘There is a growing recognition of the interdependencies among the supply systems that rely upon food,water and energy.Billions of people lack safe and sufficient access to these systems,coupled with a rapidly growing global demand and increasing resource constraints.Modeling frameworks are considered one of the few means available to understand the complex interrelationships among the sectors,however development of nexus related frameworks has been limited.We describe three opensource models well known in their respective domains(i.e.TerrSysMP,WOFOST and SWAT)where components of each if combined could help decision-makers address the nexus issue.We propose as a first step the development of simple workflows utilizing essential variables and addressing components of the above-mentioned models which can act as building-blocks to be used ultimately in a comprehensive nexus model framework.The outputs of the workflows and the model framework are designed to address the SDGs.
文摘In 2014,The GEOSS Water Strategy–From Observations to Decisions was published and steps were taken to implement the Strategy’s recommendations.The Strategy highlighted priority areas where the application of Earth observations to water research and water management decisions would have significant scientific and societal benefits.This article reviews the implementation of the Strategy’s recommendations over the past eight years.After a review of the Strategy’s assessment of the needs for water observations and their applications,it then reviews actions taken in response to the Strategy’s recommendations in its four major themes:improved data acquisition for Essential Water Variables,research and product development,interoperability,and capacity development.It highlights significant achievements in the implementation of the Strategy including some motivated by factors beyond this Strategy,reviews actions taken by participating agencies and programs for each of the main themes and summarizes the remaining challenges in achieving the Strategy’s full implementation.The article not only is an update for the Water Community regarding the GEOSS Water Strategy,but it is also an example of how other communities could develop and promulgate a set of strategic recommendations,monitor progress,and carry out assessments of their effectiveness.
文摘Aiming at the convergence between Earth observation(EO)Big Data and Artificial General Intelligence(AGI),this two-part paper identifies an innovative,but realistic EO optical sensory imagederived semantics-enriched Analysis Ready Data(ARD)productpair and process gold standard as linchpin for success of a new notion of Space Economy 4.0.To be implemented in operational mode at the space segment and/or midstream segment by both public and private EO big data providers,it is regarded as necessarybut-not-sufficient“horizontal”(enabling)precondition for:(I)Transforming existing EO big raster-based data cubes at the midstream segment,typically affected by the so-called data-rich information-poor syndrome,into a new generation of semanticsenabled EO big raster-based numerical data and vector-based categorical(symbolic,semi-symbolic or subsymbolic)information cube management systems,eligible for semantic content-based image retrieval and semantics-enabled information/knowledge discovery.(II)Boosting the downstream segment in the development of an ever-increasing ensemble of“vertical”(deep and narrow,user-specific and domain-dependent)value–adding information products and services,suitable for a potentially huge worldwide market of institutional and private end-users of space technology.For the sake of readability,this paper consists of two parts.In the present Part 1,first,background notions in the remote sensing metascience domain are critically revised for harmonization across the multidisciplinary domain of cognitive science.In short,keyword“information”is disambiguated into the two complementary notions of quantitative/unequivocal information-as-thing and qualitative/equivocal/inherently ill-posed information-as-data-interpretation.Moreover,buzzword“artificial intelligence”is disambiguated into the two better-constrained notions of Artificial Narrow Intelligence as part-without-inheritance-of AGI.Second,based on a betterdefined and better-understood vocabulary of multidisciplinary terms,existing EO optical sensory image-derived Level 2/ARD products and processes are investigated at the Marr five levels of understanding of an information processing system.To overcome their drawbacks,an innovative,but realistic EO optical sensory image-derived semantics-enriched ARD product-pair and process gold standard is proposed in the subsequent Part 2.
基金ASAP 16 project call,project title:SemantiX-A cross-sensor semantic EO data cube to open and leverage essential climate variables with scientists and the public,Grant ID:878939ASAP 17 project call,project title:SIMS-Soil sealing identification and monitoring system,Grant ID:885365.
文摘Aiming at the convergence between Earth observation(EO)Big Data and Artificial General Intelligence(AGI),this paper consists of two parts.In the previous Part 1,existing EO optical sensory imagederived Level 2/Analysis Ready Data(ARD)products and processes are critically compared,to overcome their lack of harmonization/standardization/interoperability and suitability in a new notion of Space Economy 4.0.In the present Part 2,original contributions comprise,at the Marr five levels of system understanding:(1)an innovative,but realistic EO optical sensory image-derived semantics-enriched ARD co-product pair requirements specification.First,in the pursuit of third-level semantic/ontological interoperability,a novel ARD symbolic(categorical and semantic)co-product,known as Scene Classification Map(SCM),adopts an augmented Cloud versus Not-Cloud taxonomy,whose Not-Cloud class legend complies with the standard fully-nested Land Cover Classification System’s Dichotomous Phase taxonomy proposed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.Second,a novel ARD subsymbolic numerical co-product,specifically,a panchromatic or multispectral EO image whose dimensionless digital numbers are radiometrically calibrated into a physical unit of radiometric measure,ranging from top-of-atmosphere reflectance to surface reflectance and surface albedo values,in a five-stage radiometric correction sequence.(2)An original ARD process requirements specification.(3)An innovative ARD processing system design(architecture),where stepwise SCM generation and stepwise SCM-conditional EO optical image radiometric correction are alternated in sequence.(4)An original modular hierarchical hybrid(combined deductive and inductive)computer vision subsystem design,provided with feedback loops,where software solutions at the Marr two shallowest levels of system understanding,specifically,algorithm and implementation,are selected from the scientific literature,to benefit from their technology readiness level as proof of feasibility,required in addition to proven suitability.To be implemented in operational mode at the space segment and/or midstream segment by both public and private EO big data providers,the proposed EO optical sensory image-derived semantics-enriched ARD product-pair and process reference standard is highlighted as linchpin for success of a new notion of Space Economy 4.0.
