Motivations and Objectives

The objective of EURAC's Institute for Applied Remote Sensing is to design and provide Earth Observation based services for mountain regions. The generation of such services is a scientific task, based on the development of procedures that add significant value to any satellite sensor's raw data received. Processed remote sensing data are integrated into these services complementary to in-situ data, allow for the expansion of point data sets to area-wide information, and are crucial for a multi-scale approach.

One of the main interests of the Institute is mapping dynamic processes in mountain regions, with a focus on the impact of climate change in mountain regions. Processes to be studied include land-use change, vegetation and ecosystem dynamics, snow cover dynamics, urban sprawl and natural hazards and their consequences.

EURAC is currently developing near-real-time applications for mountain regions in the following fields:
1. Snow and Ice (for tourism and as an input for hydrological models)
2. Air quality (particulate matter)
3. Natural hazards (rapid mapping)

In order to better analyse ecoysytem dynamics the Institute for Applied Remote Sensing is setting up its own receiving station that will allow for direct access to certain Earth observation data.

Application:

• Monitoring air quality in South Tyrol with remote sensing methodologies