Real-time environmental monitoring system architecture using distributed networks of low-cost and high-end sensors combined with remote sensing and data assimilation

The impacts of climate change on desert ecosystems are profound and far-reaching, influencing not only local environments but also neighbouring regions, where dust storms transport pollutants and particulate matter over thousands of kilometers. These phenomena pose significant challenges to environmental monitoring and policy-making, requiring innovative approaches to data collection and analysis. In the Horizon Europe CiROCCO project, we have adopted an approach ensuring comprehensive environmental monitoring by leveraging the strengths of high-end sensors offering precise and reliable measurements and low-cost sensors, enabling extensive spatial coverage and high-frequency data acquisition. This integration creates a robust and scalable network, which enhance data accuracy and consistency, can support real-time monitoring and long-term environmental research and conservation efforts. The CiROCCO system architecture has been designed to facilitate the deployment and exploitation of this advanced monitoring framework across diverse environments, addressing the specific needs of four pilot sites in Cyprus, Egypt, Serbia and Spain. It incorporates state-of-the-art data fusion techniques, remote sensing integration, and a flexible modular design, ensuring adaptability to various ecological and socio-economic contexts. Our presentation will provide an overview of the CiROCCO system architecture, emphasising its potential to support not only environmental conservation and research but also evidence-based policy-making and climate adaptation strategies.

Acknowledgement:

The CiROCCO project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.