A simple remote sensing based information system for monitoring sites of conservation importance

Monitoring is essential for conservation of sites, but capacity to undertake it in the field is often limited. Remote sensing has been identified as a solution for monitoring, and increasing amounts of satellite data are available to conservationists. However, they lack a simple monitoring tool appropriate to the needs for monitoring change in all types of land cover (i.e. not just forest). Here we outline an open access tool which users can easily use to monitor land cover change on sites of conservation importance. The tool pre-processes then classifies Landsat type imagery allowing users to verify the classification. Data can be shared centrally to reduce duplication of effort. We explain the underlying imagery processing and data accessibly features as well as tool functionality applied to a case study for Nakuru National Park, Kenya. The monitoring and detection of disturbances could support and secure high level of protection and easy the work of park managers and conservation scientists. It will contribute to conservation planning, priority assessment and meeting monitoring needs for Aichi target 11.

SZANTOI Zoltan;  BRINK Andreas;  BUCHANAN Graeme M.;  BASTIN Lucy;  LUPI Andrea;  SIMONETTI Dario;  MAYAUX Philippe;  PEEDELL Stephen;  DAVY James; 

2017-03-03

John Wiley & Sons

JRC92134

2056-3485,   

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/rse2.14/abstract,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC92134,   

10.1002/rse2.14,