Projects / Programmes
Earth observation and geoinformatics
January 1, 2019
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.17.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Geodesy |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T181 |
Technological sciences |
Remote sensing |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.07 |
Engineering and Technology |
Environmental engineering
|
Earth observation, geoinformatics, GIS, geospatial data, satellite images, aerial images, UAV, big data, machine learning, spatial analytics, time series analyses, spatial decision support
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 23, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
235 |
3,102 |
2,799 |
11.91 |
| Scopus |
281 |
4,075 |
3,701 |
13.17 |
Researchers (19)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The program will provide critical infrastructure for state of the art research activities in Earth observation and geoinformatics. It will enable the development of new methods for geospatial data acquisition, processing, and applications. At the same time, it will contribute to the alignment of research, education, training and innovation with the current as well as future needs and demands of the society in this field.
The technologies for geospatial data acquisition using various platforms (aeroplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles – UAVs, satellites, etc.) have become a daily tool in a wide variety of studies and applications: from archaeology, biology and ecology, through geography, spatial planning, meteorology, geology, disaster and risk management, agriculture and forestry to geodesy. The rapid development of sensors, new platforms for capturing data from the air (UAVs), the increasing number of satellites, and open access to spatial data, have led to a revolution in the field of Earth observation and geoinformatics. Furthermore, the complexity of the natural and built environment requires new approaches in geospatial data modelling in order to provide useful information for spatial decision making. 3D/4D geospatial data modelling has become among the principal research topics worldwide.
Within the program, we want to establish an environment for the most advanced research in processing and use of (satellite and aerial) images and point clouds, linking these with other spatial data and providing advanced geospatial solutions. With the program, we are going to fill the large gap that currently exists in Slovenia and in the wider region in the emerging geospatial research field. The research will be focused on:
Harmonization of data from remote sensing systems (satellites, aircraft, including UAVs);
Time series analyses for identification of patterns in the dynamics of the surface (vegetation, urban areas, waters, etc.), identification of spatial and temporal change patterns;
Integration of remote sensing data with other spatial data (mobile and static terrestrial systems for spatial data acquisition, in-situ data);
3D/4D spatial data modelling (vector data models for location-based services, simulations of spatial processes and spatial decision making);
Derivation of metric and semantic information from various spatial datasets and semantic enrichment of 3D/4D city and landscape models;
The use of geospatial data in numerous studies and the derivation of geospatial information in spatial decision-making processes.
The proposed program is organised into work packages, which are linked and organised as a holistic chain from geospatial data acquisition, modelling to its use and applications.
Significance for science
The program focuses on several topics that currently challenge the Earth observation and geoinformatics scientific community worldwide:
Harmonization of data from various sensors of remote sensing,
Time series analyses, identification of patterns in the dynamics of the surface,
Integration of various geospatial data,
3D/4D city and landscape modelling,
The use of Earth observation data and other geospatial data in various studies and the use of acquired information in decision-making processes.
Analysis of image time series and derivation of meaningful and reliable products are currently the major research challenges in remote sensing and Earth observation. The substantial increase and availability of historic and new-coming data are increasing expectations to provide a consistent monitoring at a global scale. Project´s major contribution will be to ensure monitoring reliability with the combination of multi-sensor observations into a comparable and consistent, long-term observations. Time series have been well studied and understood in several disciplines (e.g. economy), however, their understating and applications in the geospatial domain are still very limited. We will use existing processing methods, and adapt or develop them to high volume data streams (big data). Dynamics of the surface is important for many applications (e.g. water management, population increase, monitoring agricultural activities). We will develop methods and make available tools for identification of patterns. Both are highly anticipated by the research and professional community.
The development of digital techniques and information-communication technology has made geospatial information a very popular research area in many applications related to the localization in the 3D/4D environment. 3D/4D information refers to methodology-oriented and integrated disciplines that englobe GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) and other positioning technologies, photogrammetric computer vision, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) with a specific emphasis to the reconstruction of 3D environments. This discipline comprises digital data acquisition and processing, the efficient data modelling and interpretation as well as their effective publication and exploitation.
The obtained methodological solutions will be applied to several case studies, e.g. in protection and rescue and the identification of the consequences of natural disasters (fires, floods, landslides, droughts), smart cities and communities, agriculture and forestry, and as support to monitoring the environment related effects of the sustainable development goals implementations. Therefore, the research will also have a direct contribution to national stakeholders we are already cooperating with and to the preparation of environmental indicators at the national and international level.
The rapid development of sensors, new platforms for capturing data from the air (UAVs), the increasing number of satellites, and open access to spatial data, have led to a revolution in the field of Earth observation and geoinformatics. Program´s main objective is to stay in line with the state of the art challenges in the technological and methodological demands.
Significance for the country
Thanks to its cross-disciplinary nature, geospatial data/information is currently playing a relevant role in many applications, and research and innovation projects devoted to the development of tools and services with high economic and societal impact. A proof of this is given by the number of different EU calls where this discipline is fundamental for the implementation of a successful proposal: besides the calls dedicated to space technologies, geospatial information is a relevant area for smart city, transport, food and climate change and security calls, just to mention the most prominent topics. Fast development of new technologies will boost the development of new geospatial information applications in the next years, representing a clear opportunity for undertaking innovative research in this field.
The program will enable state of the art research activities in Earth observation and geoinformatics. This will enable the development of new methods, processing and applications, and will align research, education, training and innovation with the current as well as future needs and demands of the job market. This will support the growth of new generations of professionals with high competitiveness.
The proposal is a direct response to the activities of the European Commission, which provides the Copernicus with the most comprehensive system for global environmental monitoring. In addition to Galileo, Copernicus is the leading field of research in the field of space covered by the EU. The objectives of the program are further consistent with the European guidelines for the establishment of a common spatial data/information infrastructure, including the INSPIRE Directive.
We are planning to develop – either by our self or in partnership with national and international SMEs – new products and services based on Earth observation and geospatial analytics.
The research work performed will have a tangible impact on societal and cultural development, following also the Smart Specialization Strategy. We will contribute to the best expertise and competencies in geospatial data acquisition, processing and deployment for the needs, services and applications in various fields, such as spatial planning and land management, agriculture and forestry, urban planning and development, risk and disaster management, emergency response, assessment of infrastructure and energy demand, environmental monitoring, etc. In all these applications, the availability of geospatial data and technologies as well as up to date information is fundamental for a reliable and timely decision-making process.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
