Earth Observation for ecosystem monitoring at the interface of wetland conservation and food production in Rwanda

摘要: Wetlands are considered as biodiversity hotspots and they commonly valued for water purification, flood retention carbon sequestration. The need their protection is undisputed. urgency of the topic has become more tangible with recent studies demonstrating rapid decline global wetland area, where inland wetlands being most affected. Agricultural use often described main driver degradation loss through altering hydrologic characteristics, pollution by chemicals natural habitat destruction. Particularly in food insecure sub-Saharan African countries, local populations depend directly whole countries’ indirectly on agricultural production wetlands. A lack spatially explicit information very complex variable landscapes seen particularly problematic continent. Knowledge about location, hydrological land cover characteristics well changes needed to inform sustainable management. Earth Observation proven be an invaluable technology close this gap provide quantified up-to-date spatial conventions like Ramsar convention, Convention Biological Diversity or Sustainable Development Goals, national government bodies non-governmental organizations. Therefore, study investigated how data can contribute management context both conservation security. We developed a comprehensive, flexible applicable characterization monitoring framework matching end users’ needs remote sensing- based products. Capabilities such showcased at example Rwanda, drawing from products generated within German BMWi-funded research project ‘Copernicus-based Detection Monitoring tropical Wetlands’ (DeMo-Wetlands). DeMo-Wetlands aimed developing methods delineation, assessment Rwanda support international consultation stakeholders making freely available Copernicus missions data. present broadens intended application purposes integrating pressing issue combination several Sentinel-derived allowed contribution scale terms extent, its intensity hydrology demonstrates applications interface Rwanda. Among others, patterns high low activity could identified ecologically important phenomena floating vegetation. Compared grouped according Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) scheme, demonstrated.