GEOmedia

NSE and AI: The New Revolution Changing the World and Human Life Within It

Marco Fermi — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Large-scale seafloor mapping of the Italian coasts using multi-sensor surveying to characterise Posidonia oceanica and seafloor morphology in shallow waters

Sante Francesco Rende — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) is leading a nationwide initiative to map and restore seagrass meadows under the Marine Ecosystem Restoration (MER) project. This effort addresses the alarming decline of Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa habitats, which are critical for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and coastal resilience. The MER project’s mapping component, executed by Fugro and Compagnia Generale Ripreseaeree (CGR), in partnership with EOMAP – a Fugro company, and PlanBlue, employed a multi-sensor approach, combining satellite, airborne, vessel-based (high-resolution multibeam), and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technologies. The integration of bathymetric LiDAR, multibeam, optical and multispectral data allowed continuous bathymetric coverage from the coastline to 50 metre depth. The Virgeo® platform, specifically developed by Fugro, facilitated real-time monitoring of acquisitions and data collected by ships and aircraft engaged in the surveys. This integrated approach provided a robust baseline for restoration planning and long-term monitoring, offering a scalable, cost-effective solution for national marine habitat assessments. The Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR) MER project was funded by MASE, coordinated by ISPRA and scientifically supported by Italian research institutes and universities (CNR-IGAG, IIM, Sapienza, INGV, PoliMi, UniPd, UniGe).

Open SAR Data Analysis Techniques vs. Intelligence

Planetek Italia — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

A multi-temporal analysis of Sentinel-1 images (VV polarization) was conducted to monitor activity at the Chinese naval base in Yulin between January 2024 and June 2025. By constructing a time series of radar backscatter in decibels, variations compatible with the presence or absence of naval units were detected. The observed reflectivity peaks are consistent with events documented by OSINT sources, indicating strategic movements and periods of high operational activity.

Continental-Scale Assessment of Urban Sprawl in Africa (2016–2024)

Johnny Muhindo Bahavira — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This study provides a comprehensive, continent-wide quantification of urban sprawl in Africa between 2016 and 2024 by exploiting the Dynamic World V1 dataset within Google Earth Engine. We computed the dominant land-cover class per pixel for three time windows (2015–2016, 2019–2020, 2023–2024), aggregated built-up area changes nationally, and calculated both absolute and relative growth rates.
Results reveal a net increase of 60,687 km² of built-up land in Africa, driven primarily by Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Kenya in absolute terms, while smaller states like the Central African Republic and Mauritius exhibit the highest percentage gains. Our findings highlight pronounced spatial heterogeneity in urban expansion and underscore the need to integrate socioeconomic and governance indicators to inform sustainable land-use planning across Africa.

From Heat Islands to Green Spaces: Graz's Comprehensive Climate Strategy

Ada Perello — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Graz has emerged as a pioneer in climate-responsive urban planning, combining decades of
research with innovative geospatial applications. Within the EU-funded USAGE project, the
city validated satellite thermal imagery against aerial surveys and applied the “3-30-300 rule”
to map access to green infrastructure, feeding results into its Klimainformationssystem. A complementary
aerial thermal campaign captured high-resolution rooftop data to identify energy
loss, supporting both municipal strategies and citizen-led renovations. These initiatives illustrate
how integrating satellite, aerial, and ground-based data can transform climate monitoring into
practical planning tools. Graz’s approach offers a scalable model for European cities seeking
sustainable development and greater climate resilience.

Why you need to use ground control points (GCP) for drone mapping

Eric Van Rees — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The article explains why Ground Control Points (GCPs) remain essential in drone mapping, even with the advent of
RTK/PPK drones. GCPs act as reliable reference markers that correct positional errors, ensuring that aerial imagery aligns
accurately with real-world coordinates. The text outlines how to design and place GCPs, how many are typically needed
(usually 5–10), and how they are integrated into photogrammetry software. By providing best practices and practical tips,
the article highlights how GCPs serve as a critical layer of quality control, guaranteeing accurate and dependable results for
applications in construction, surveying, and environmental monitoring.

Watershed Analysis and Risk Assessment Using Global Mapper

Jenna Nelson — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Watershed analysis provides critical insights into the natural flow of water across landscapes, helping to
identify environmental risks and inform land-use and infrastructure planning. This paper explores how
Global Mapper®, a geographic information system (GIS) tool, can be used to delineate watersheds, analyze
topographic boundaries, and assess environmental threats such as landfill contamination. Through a
case study of the Tennessee Region watershed, the paper demonstrates how spatial operations, watershed
generation tools, and terrain analysis can support data-driven watershed management and risk mitigation.
The paper also presents COAST, an extension of Global Mapper developed for coastal adaptation
planning, as an advanced implementation that enhances watershed and coastal flood risk analysis through
economic impact modeling.

Harnessing Space Assets for Emergency Response: Insights from the First EUSATfinder Advisory Board

Marco Nisi — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The first EUSATfinder Advisory Board (AB#1) took place in Île-Rousse, Corsica, on 1 July 2025, bringing together first responders,
institutions, and technology providers to discuss the role of space, aerial, and terrestrial assets in crisis management. Central to the debate was the integration of Europe’s flagship programs: GOVSATCOM for secure communications, Copernicus for Earth observation, and Galileo for positioning and timing.
Operational insights from Italian and French agencies showed how drones, satellites, and advanced monitoring systems are already transforming disaster response, while also exposing needs for reliable communication, rapid data sharing, and user-friendly platforms.
Industry and research partners presented innovative tools ranging from AI-powered decision support to geospatial intelligence platforms.
At its core, the EUSATfinder project seeks to deliver secure, integrated communications, enabling beyond visual line of sight drone missions, mobile operational centers, and citizen applications. The project will be further demonstrated in Rome in November 2025 and in the Aosta Valley in 2027.

From Analyst to AI Orchestrator: Evolving Roles in the Age of Autonomy

Erin Eckles — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The geospatial industry is undergoing a transformation driven by AI-powered workflows that automate data triage,
analysis, and product creation.
Analysts are no longer just interpreters of imagery; they are becoming orchestrators of AI-driven workflows. NV5’s GeoAgent platform empowers this shift with flexible, explainable, and interoperable AI tools. Across industries—from national security to utilities, infrastructure, energy and environmental monitoring—AI enhances decision-making, elevating analysts, and accelerating missions.

AI-Powered Data Informs Wildfire Hazard Assessment in California

Ada Perello — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

As climate change exacerbates wildfire risks globally, innovative geospatial technologies are becoming crucial for effective fire management.
This article discusses a groundbreaking project by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) in collaboration with Ecopia AI, which utilizes AI-generated mapping data to assess wildfire hazards across California's Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Covering over 32 million acres, this comprehensive dataset includes detailed information on buildings, infrastructure, and environmental features that influence fire behavior. The project enhances wildfire preparedness, supports
rapid post-fire recovery, and offers a scalable model for fire-prone regions worldwide. By integrating high-resolution aerial imagery with advanced AI analysis, this initiative exemplifies the potential of geospatial solutions to improve community safety and infrastructure resilience in the face of escalating wildfire threats.

A Random Aerial Photograph: dating a historical image by cross-referencing sources

Gianluca Cantoro, Giampiero Federici — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The Italian National AirPhoto Archive (Aerofototeca Nazionale – ICCD, MiC) preserves one of the richest collections of historical
aerial photographs in Europe.