Operationalizing Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) through Remote Sensing

Long-term harmonized satellite time series - particularly those provided by the Sentinel missions - offer unprecedented opportunities to operationalize Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) using remote sensing (RS). Within the Horizon Europe project OBSGESSION, we developed methods and pipelines to produce RS-enabled biodiversity products as well as upgrading them to EBV(-enabling) products by leveraging multitemporal data from Sentinel and Landsat archives to capture spatial and temporal dynamics at local to regional scales. We showcase this work for the Ecosystem structure EBV class by integrating consistent, high-resolution observations with advanced processing workflows, and demonstrate pathways towards scalable and reproducible EBV products that support biodiversity monitoring and policy frameworks.

Our approach combines data from multiple RS sensors. As such, historical coverage is extended to better trace biodiversity change over several decades and  assess long-term ecosystem dynamics, while also anticipating the enhanced capabilities of upcoming missions such as those equipped with hyperspectral imaging (e.g., Hyperfield-1, CHIME, ...). These advances promise to improve the sensitivity of EBVs to subtle ecological changes and to broaden their applicability across diverse ecosystems and biomes.

We illustrate the potential of satellite-based EBVs through case studies that highlight how ecosystem structure indicators can be derived, applied and validated. Particular attention is given to methodological challenges, including sensor harmonization, spatial resolution trade-offs and the need for robust calibration and validation frameworks. We also discuss opportunities for linking satellite-based EBVs with in-situ ecological data, thereby strengthening their relevance for conservation practice, biodiversity management and national reporting obligations. In particular, we explore how Earth Observation (EO)-derived indicators can complement field-based monitoring to support the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework (K-M GBF), EU biodiversity strategies, and other international conventions.

The results underscore the capacity of satellite-based EBVs to bridge the gap between ecological theory, conservation practice, and global reporting needs. By advancing the operationalization of biodiversity indicators at scale, our work contributes to the development of harmonized monitoring systems that can inform conservation targets, address resilience and stress responses, and guide evidence-based management decisions. Ultimately, this research demonstrates how open satellite archives can be leveraged to create actionable biodiversity intelligence, supporting a nature-positive and climate-resilient future.