Eo4MountainPastoralism : Monitoring High-Altitude Wetlands and Pastoral Practices in Mercantour National Park (France)

Description

EO4Mountain Pastoralism aims to understand and mitigate the impact of climate change on high-altitude wetlands and pastoral practices. It develops advanced statistical indicators using Sentinel data to monitor the evolution of these areas, correlating physical indicators with expected ecosystem services.

Details 

In the mountainous territories of the Mercantour National Park (France), high-altitude wetlands (>1500 m) are vital natural assets, but vulnerable to degradation due to pastoral activities and climate change. The project addresses this issue by implementing a restoration and monitoring plan for these wetlands, with an emphasis on data-driven decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

Using a combination of ground observation networks and satellite imagery (Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, SPOT 7, Pleiades), EO4Mountain Pastoralism aims to provide bi-weekly, high-resolution (30 x 30 m) descriptions of these wetlands across the entire territory (685 km²). The focus is on wetlands smaller than 1000 m², enabling detailed analysis and the development of environmental indicators.

The project portfolio includes harmonized spectral and morphological attributes derived from Sentinel data, complemented by annual SPOT 6/7 acquisitions. It also involves the creation of environmental/ecohydrological indicators to assess wetland health and ecosystem services, integrating them into a user-friendly cartographic interface for decision support.

By prioritizing the production of these indicators and providing open-source tools and training, EO4Mountain Pastoralism aims to empower local stakeholders with actionable information for sustainable land management practices.

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To learn more about the application, please explore the Space for Climate Observatory website. The website is available in English and French.

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