GSE Forest Monitoring in Russia
(Stage II)

Overview Task 4: Research & Development Activities

For a suitable satisfaction of user needs related to the requests for better and more complete information on environment and security the GMES services must be continuously improved. The Research & Development activities with scope on identification, testing and implementation of new R&D shall be one of the key inputs for improved service provision. Throughout the entire services of the GSE FM Service Portfolio the interactive involvement within the process of production (in-situ measurements, data pre-processing, data classification, product accuracy assessment etc.) is the most cost and time efficient factor and should therefore be treated with high priority to research activities. Any advancement of the state-of-the-art procedures used in current projects either or in combination of cost reduction, product improvement or higher accuracy assessment will lead to a long term reduction of costs of the GSE FM Services and improve the quality and timeliness of service delivery especially within the Service Production. New methodologies and processing algorithms shall be identified, tested, evaluated, harmonised and implemented into the service chain.

The continuous identification of new R&D therefore supports the sustainability of the GMES services and establishes common standards for all service providers and users.

The Task 4 Science Board comprises experts in the fields of EO SAR data and methods (UNI Jena), EO optical data and methods (Joanneum Research), EO and in-situ combined methods (SFM Consultants GmbH) and experts from the Kyoto Protocol evolution (Joanneum Institute of Energy Research). The Board is managed by UNI Jena.