BIO_SOS is the abbreviation of Biodiversity Multi-SOurce Monitoring System: From Space To Species, a project aimed at developing tools and models for consistent multi-annual monitoring of NATURA 2000 sites and their surroundings. The emphasis of the project is on NATURA 2000 sites in the Mediterranean part of Europe, but also sites in the Netherlands, Wales and even the tropical rainforest of Brazil are included.

BIO_SOS project is a response to the Call for proposals FP7- SPACE-2010-1.

The main objective of BIO-SOS is the development of an operational ecological modelling system suitable for effective and timely multi-annual monitoring of NATURA 2000 sites and their surroundings. BIO-SOS is conceived to be operational, i.e., easy to use, accurate, efficient, robust and scalable. Its input data sources are satellite-based measurements and ancillary data collected in situ. Its seamless output products can support management decisions, based on ecological status and trends according to National and EU obligations.

BIO-SOS has been tested and validated in sampling sites, which are particularly exposed to different and combined types of pressures in Mediterranean areas. In the following, BIO-SOS will be referred to as EO Data for Habitat Monitoring (EODHaM). It will be compliant with ongoing GEOSS, Copernicus and INSPIRE initiatives.

Planetek Italia in the past already worked in similar projects as Bioitaly  and Manhuma in which have been realized the biotopes maps for Natura2000 and the humid area monitoring activity through satellite data.

For further details on Natura2000 and biodiversity issues:http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm

• Read the paper submitted at the GI Forum 2013 (PDF)
• Read the final report of the project on CORDIS EU database