The health of forests, all over Greece, is mapped through a program implemented by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in the framework of the National Microfore Program. Scientists collect items, utilizing satellite data, and they produce Maps showing the state of the forests, their biodiversity, fuel and their condition after fires.
The research project is being implemented by the AUTH Forest Management and Remote Surgery Lab (in collaboration with the National Observatory of Athens and Geosystems Hellas, Nerco and MPlegal), utilizing both modern satellite and field systems available in the forest services. The project focuses on developing standard methodologies, which will help protect ecosystems from the devastating consequences of forest fires.
“It is a program, with a budget of about one million euros, launched in August 2024 and concludes in July 2026 and has 5 themes, which is the mapping of forest vegetation and types of fuel, monitoring of forests, biodiversity and risks,” News, Assistant Professor in the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Dimitris Stavrakoudis.
“We are proceeding to recording the species of forest vegetation throughout the country, which is expected to contribute significantly to the protection of forest ecosystems, the maintenance of habitats and the protection of the natural landscape,” he adds.
In addition, it is done mapping of fuel, with the aim of fire planning and managing ecosystems in the context of climate crisis. Monitoring of forest health uses satellite data to detect areas infected with diseases and biodiversity, and forest plant species are targeted. At the same time, there are threats in areas of increased ecological interest, such as Natura and national parks to protect themselves from anthropogenic and natural dangers.
“Maps have been created over the last 10 years for the whole country, showing the image of forests and types of fuel. What we observe is that there are major changes in the forests from fires, and especially in areas such as Evia or South Attica, where they have been degraded and now with very low vegetation, “says Stavrakoudis.
According to him, forests are not reduced as they are regenerated, but only if they are left and do not do again. However, It takes 15 to 20 years to produce a forest.
“It is also important to map vegetation types as we grouping on the sorting areas with fuel, which is suitable for fire propagation models. Essentially, this level is used for forest management to see which areas the most flammable fuels have and to apply appropriate management measures. ”
According to Professor of Forestry, the ministry will have the responsibility to use the platform after the end of the project.
It is noted that this is a research program implemented in the framework of the National Ministry of Digital Governance (through the Hellenic Space Center), with the help of the European Space Agency (ESA) and funding the recovery and resilience fund.
Details of the SAT4forest project will be presented as part of the TIF, on the Kiosk 17, Stand 2, on September 11 and 12.
Source: Skai
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