Research at the EO lab

We effectively utilize remote sensing approaches to better understand global change related to land systems, adhering to FAIR principles and adopting an open data philosophy.

Focus

Our research focus

We concentrate on mapping land cover, land use and related spatio-temporal change patterns. Our applications extend from agriculture (both cropland and grassland), over forest ecosystems to urban areas.

The analysis of long and dense time series from Landsat and Sentinel data is core for our research - from landscape to continental scales.

Hyperspectral image analysis is a second cornerstone of the Earth Observation Lab.

Contributions

Scientific Engagement and Networks

We exchange ideas with other institutions and groups in order to commit to further development of research with our expertise.

EnMAP Hyperspectral Imager

The Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP) is a hyperspectral satellite mission that measures geochemical, biochemical and biophysical variables providing information on the status and evolution of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

EnMAP Scientific Advisory Group

Supports communication with the wider EnMAP science community and ensures scientific state-of-the-art data exploitation.

Global Land Programme (GLP)

A group of scientists and practitioners who advance global sustainability by bringing together the study of land systems and the co-design of solutions.

IRI THESys

Is the Integrative Research Institute on Transformations of Human-Environment Systems at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

Landsat Science Teams

The team provides scientific and technical evaluations to the USGS and NASA on issues critical to the success of the Landsat program.

Sentinel-2 NG Mission Advisory Group

Provides advice to ESA during the development and implementation of the Next Generation Sentinel-2 mission.

Projects

Our research projects

Beyond the forest-savanna dichotomy

Characterising the biogeogreaphy of tropical forest and savanna ecosystems by integrating concepts from ecology and geography.

BrandSat

Remote sensing for the spatially explicit representation of forest fire risk and the monitoring of forest fires in Germany.

CliWac

Climate and Water under Change quantifies spatial and temporal feedbacks between water availability and ecosystem properties.

Drylands Namibia

Satellite Derived Vegetation Dynamics in Namibia’s Dryland Ecosystems

EnFireMap

Developing remote sensing approaches for the analysis of ecosystems wherein fires are an integral part of the natural dynamics, however, experience a sharp increase in risks and intensities.

EnMAP-Box

The EnMAP-Box is a QGIS plugin to visualize & process imaging spectroscopy data.

Fonda

Within the framework of FOuNdations of workflows for large-scale scientific Data Analysis (research_regions) we join efforts with computer scientists to improve portability, adaptability and dependability of our remote-sensing specific big data workflows for analysing the effects of extreme weather events on forest and agricultural land in Europe.

GreenGrass

Innovative use of grassland on a landscape scale.

Study Regions

We map land cover, land use and related spatio temporal patterns from landscapes to continental scales to delevop and apply remote sensing methods to better understand global change related to land systems. Research trips to our study regions are essential for understanding the land systems on site and serve to validate the analysis of remote sensing data and outcoming results. We invite you to explore our study regions within different land systems.

The map is still work in progress: