Leading experts on earth observation for forest monitoring discussed recent advancements in forest disturbance detection. Organised by the FORWARDS project, the experts convened on 21 February 2025 for a cross-project workshop to explore how ongoing research projects can contribute to enhancing forest monitoring efforts. ForestPaths partners such as the Technical University of Munich (TUM), VITO and European Forest Institute (EFI) were among those who helped foster collaboration and cultivate synergies between the projects.
Held as a follow-up to last year’s meeting in Potsdam, this year’s workshop featured presentations and discussions on how earth observation can support critical initiatives such as the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS), the European Union Observatory on Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Forest Information System for Europe (FISE), and policy developments related to forest monitoring and carbon removal.
Cornelius Senf from TUM delivered a key presentation on the European Forest Disturbance Atlas, a platform developed as part of ForestPaths. The newly updated dataset, which now spans from 1985 to 2023, includes high-resolution maps of annual forest disturbances across 38 European countries. These maps, derived from Landsat satellite data, provide invaluable insights into disturbance events such as fire, bark beetle outbreaks, wind damage and harvesting. For the first time, these maps are open-source and operational for annual updates, marking a significant advancement in forest monitoring capabilities.
The Forest Disturbance Atlas, available online through Earth Engine Apps, offers a comprehensive view of forest change, featuring three key visual components: the year of the most recent disturbance, the frequency of disturbances and the disturbance agent. The data will be used to develop empirical models that improve our understanding of forest disturbance drivers and it will serve as a reference for other data products that provide a fuller picture of forest change across Europe.
In addition to Cornelius' presentation, the workshop featured discussions on the role of earth observation in supporting EU policy, forest restoration efforts and the development of FISE. Participants discussed how collaborative efforts between projects like ForestPaths, FORWARDS, ForestNavigator and PathFinder can further strengthen the monitoring of forest disturbances and contribute to improved forest management practices in Europe.
