Spatial and alphanumerical datasets covering Natura 2000 sites
are available at multiple spatial scales and contexts, and they can be
valuable to support and/or validate EO habitat maps resulting from other
WPs in the project. Those datasets include in situ observational
records and maps, EO data and products, as well as many types of
ancillary datasets, resulting from previous local, regional or national
surveys (e.g. habitat maps) and European projects (e.g. CLC maps). This
WP is identifying, locating, collecting, organizing, harmonizing,
evaluating and analysing such datasets for the Natura 2000 sites which
will be used as test areas in the several countries. It will also
provide a collaborative platform for sharing such datasets among project
partners and with other projects.
Pre-existing datasets will be
supplemented by new data on the spatial patterns of habitats and their
biodiversity, collected on-site through the field application of
standard protocols, which have been developed in this WP. Communication
and sharing of data, methods and experience with other projects have
been most valuable in developing efficient protocols and in delivering
the most updated and diverse datasets for inter-calibration and
validation in other WPs in the project.
In order to achieve its objectives, WP4 will consist of the following tasks:
- Task 4.1 Collection and analysis of pre-existing data
- Task 4.2 Criteria for EO selection
- Task 4.3 Connection to ongoing projects
- Task 4.4 Field campaigns for system validation
Partner
9 will be responsible for coordinating the whole WP4, as well as for
sampling sites in Portugal. Partner 2 will have the responsibility of
Greek sampling sites, Partner 8 will have the responsibility of Italian
sampling sites, and Partner 12 has the responsibility of sampling sites
in Brazil. Partner 4 and Partner 11 will collect existing data from the
Dutch and Welsh test sites, respectively.
