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FORSTERK-Forsterkningsmidler

What do you see? Integrating a satellite remote sensing data viewer on public information platforms for ocean awareness and literacy

Awarded: NOK 0.98 mill.

Societal knowledge about the oceans needs to increase in order to have a more common ground for behavioural changes within society to take place. The changes are necessary to better help preserve the oceans so it can continue to deliver the many ecosystem services we as human depend upon. NIVA has developed touchscreen consoles for ocean literacy under the European Horizon 2020 project ResponSEAble, with several updates supported by e.g. the INTAROS, JERICO-NEXT, JERICO-S3 and the EuroSea projects. The information on the consoles aims to support the development of a knowledge system for European ocean, that contributes effectively and dynamically to an increase in public ocean literacy (i.e. the understanding of the ocean and our relationship with it). The consoles are currently placed on different cruise and ferry ships along the Norwegian coast and on explorer cruise ships that sails around the world. The ferries that host a console are also equipped with FerryBox systems, making it possible to display the real-time data being collected while sailing. Other consoles are placed at Science centres and museums in e.g. Hvaler and Færder National Park visitor centres, Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology, Runde Environment Center and at NIVA offices and laboratories. Portable screens and tablets with HDMI+USB connection can be brought to conferences and events for flexible demonstrations. The consoles present different modules e.g. time series of environmental data from the FerryBox systems, a game on for Sustainable fisheries, films on invasive species, microplastics and eutrophication, among other ocean literacy stories. A subset of these products is available in different languages: Norwegian, English, German, Polish, Russian and French. The platforms are developed and operated in cooperation with the Norwegian company Global Digital Media. A new module on the platforms have been developed by the SATVIEW project in collaboration with Global Digital Media, where satellite remote sensing data of water quality are displayed. With the European Commission´s Copernicus program, the use of remote sensing data is constantly increasing and becoming a more and more important source of information for the scientific community. The new module demonstrates the usefulness of satellite data related to several water quality parameters that are linked to environmental problems, such as eutrophication and coastal darkening. Information of the usefulness of satellite data from the Copernicus Satellites for detecting ocean colour and water quality are presented. On the start page the global concentrations of chlorophyll-a, suspended particulate matter and Secchi Disk Depth (which is a way of measuring how deep light can penetrate into the water and gives an indication of the water clarity) are displayed to the users as monthly means over the last seven years, with continuous updates. For seven selected Norwegian fjords and coastal areas, including areas in the southern, western and northern Norway as well as Svalbard, high resolution satellite data of 100 m for the same three water quality parameters are displayed as monthly means for the last three years. The satellite data are produced by the EU´s Copernicus Marine Services based on Sentinel-3 (global data set) and on Sentinel-2 (high-resolution) data. The High-resolution Sentinel-2 data service builds on the products and services that were developed under the DCS4COP Horizon 2020 project for producing high quality remote sensing data products. With SATVIEW the development and benefits of remote sensing data, especially in remote areas such as the Arctic, are displayed and communicated to help enhance ocean literacy.

The water quality information provided from satellites over very large spatial and temporal scales are unique and not well known for the general public. The main outcome is the new module developed under the SATVIEW project, which demonstrates the usefulness of satellite data related to several water quality parameters that are linked to environmental problems, such as eutrophication and coastal darkening by providing a visual understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics. Furthermore, the focused 7 regional areas are displaying high-resolution remote sensing data in the coast and the temporal changes over the season help enhance ocean literacy, especially in remote areas such as the Arctic. Information of the suitability of satellite data from the Copernicus Satellites Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-2 for detecting ocean colour and water quality are presented, emphasising the work from ESA and the European Commission. Global Digital Media, a small private Norwegian business, who are providing, developing and maintaining the interactive consoles were sub-contracted. Future projects at GDM can use the results and experiences from SATVIEW as well as within their portfolio to attract new assignments. SATVIEW has thus contributed to an increased interdisciplinary research collaboration and the application of research results to different user stakeholders, such as companies, the general public and environmental agencies or other advisory boards. Societal knowledge about the oceans needs to increase in order to have a more common ground for behavioural changes within the society to take place. The changes are necessary to better help preserve the oceans so it can continue to deliver the many ecosystem services we as human depend upon. SATVIEW will have an impact and contribute to ocean literacy as an excellent example of how new state-of-the-art research and developed results can be made available for the public. Demonstrating the platforms at conferences, meetings and workshops inspire other researchers, end- users or the industry to develop new and innovative ways of communicating research, both in short as well as for long perspectives. The data flow on the platforms will be available also after the end of SATVIEW and will continue to inform the public of the variabilities and dynamics taking place in the proximity to where they are. Spatial data are always an eye-opener and e.g. special algae bloom events always affects the public, as it often is a direct link to what is happening and their environment.

The knowledge within the society about the oceans needs to increase in order to have a more common ground for changes to take place. The changes are necessary to better help preserve the oceans so it can continue to deliver the many ecosystem services we as humans depend upon. SATVIEW will therefore implement a service (EODataBee) that provides the public with real-time or near-real time remote sensing data of water quality based on Copernicus Sentinel satellites. The viewers for satellite data will be implemented on established interactive platforms, placed on board Norwegian ship cruises, ferries and in museums. SATVIEW builds on the results, excellence, knowledge and experiences from the H2020 DCS4COP project as well as the current FerryBox infrastructure and the previous H2020 project ResponSEAble. The main results from DCS4COP will be the fully operational EODataBee service that includes processing, storage and visualization of state-of -the-art satellite remote sensing products within Europe for water quality. The service has been implemented for NIVA, tested and is currently running for several Norwegian coastal water sites. Additionally, SATVIEW will also promote the EODataBee service via the public platforms and by participating in national and international scientific oriented conferences and meetings as well as meetings targeted for environmental agencies and industry. By this, SATVIEW will enhance the impact of results from the on-going DCS4COP project. Furthermore, SATVIEW will contribute to an increased knowledge within the society and will therefore improve the understanding and awareness of ocean literacy and environmental dynamics.

Funding scheme:

FORSTERK-Forsterkningsmidler

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