This project was co-funded by SSGP and the Defra EO Centre of Excellence.
The condition of habitats, such as heathland, woodland and bogs, has a major impact on their ability to support biodiversity and provide services on which people rely, including providing clean water, flood prevention, pollination and carbon storage. Monitoring habitat condition across all rural areas using field work is costly. It includes monitoring progress, over a very large, variable and fragmented asset of natural capital of 2893 sites, 25,000 management units, and 1 million hectares. A new approach is needed to accommodate substantial budget cuts of around 15%.
Defra; JNCC; NE; EA; JNCC; agencies in Scotland, Wales, and NI; Environment Systems; Specto Natura; Geoger; and APMgeo.
The work identified potential of a range of optical and radar indices/parameters, and refined the approach for a selected habitat – grasslands. The outputs are recognised as key part of future solution with risk based approach and other sources of environmental information.
Reviewing the pilot projects in order to develop the changed working practices needed to benefit form the new information sources. Establish operational delivery of the EO products that support condition and other applications.