On February 28, CEU welcomed Olga Brovkina from the Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CzechGlobe) for an enlightening lecture as part of the OSUN Online Course "Earth Observations in Monitoring Sustainable Development Goals". The event, which attracted students, researchers, and professionals from various fields, focused on the application of hyperspectral remote sensing in monitoring forest and urban ecosystems to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Brovkina, a leading expert in satellite and airborne spectroscopy, provided an in-depth overview of how advanced remote sensing technologies can be used to assess environmental changes, land-use patterns, and ecosystem health. Brovkina began by explaining the fundamentals of hyperspectral remote sensing, a technology that captures detailed spectral information across a wide range of wavelengths. This allows for precise monitoring of vegetation health, soil composition, and urban environments. The lecture showcased how hyperspectral data can be used to monitor tree species composition, forest productivity, and the impacts of forest fires. Brovkina shared examples from her research, including the detection of early signs of tree diseases and the assessment of above-ground biomass, which is crucial for carbon storage calculations. Brovkina also discussed the use of airborne remote sensing to study urban environments. She highlighted projects focused on mapping urban heat islands, monitoring asbestos roofs, and assessing the thermal regimes of cities. These applications are vital for improving urban planning and enhancing the quality of life in cities.
Students were introduced to the Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP), an open-source software developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). Brovkina demonstrated how SNAP can be used to process and analyze satellite data, making it accessible for researchers and students alike.
The lecture emphasized the importance of international collaboration in advancing Earth observation technologies. Brovkina highlighted ongoing projects with the ESA and other global institutions, showcasing how data from satellites and airborne sensors can be used to address pressing environmental issues.
The event also featured a hands-on session where participants had the opportunity to work with SNAP software. Under Brovkina's guidance, attendees processed satellite imagery and performed classifications, as well as calculated vegetation indices.