In February 2025, ARIES will join global experts at BIOSPACE25, hosted by the European Space Agency (ESA) in Frascati, Italy. This first-of-its-kind event focuses on using satellite remote sensing (SRS) to address biodiversity challenges across terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
Jointly organized by ESA, the European Commission, the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), and other partners, BIOSPACE25 provides a vital platform to explore how Earth Observation (EO) technologies can improve biodiversity monitoring and inform policies to combat biodiversity loss, a growing crisis impacting ecosystems and human well-being worldwide.
ARIES will lead a workshop and a demonstration, showcasing how its open-source tools and advanced modelling solutions make environmental decision-making more accessible and effective:
Ecosystem accounting workshop – WS3
Date: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Time: 15:00–18:30
Location: Room James Cook
Speakers:
Ferdinando Villa, ARIES lead researcher
Alessio Bulckaen, ARIES natural capital officer
Caterina Gilli, ARIES natural capital assistant
Experts from VITO and Wageningen University
This workshop will explore how ecosystem accounting connects environmental data to actionable policies. ARIES experts will highlight how EO data supports frameworks like the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF). Attendees will learn about the System for Economic Environmental Accounts (SEEA), its integration with EO technologies, and its role in biodiversity monitoring. Real-world case studies and discussions will contribute to refining a R&D roadmap for advancing biodiversity monitoring.
ARIES for SEEA – Demo 6
Date: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Time: 10:00–11:30
Location: B15 Room A
Presented by:
Ferdinando Villa
Alessio Bulckaen
Caterina Gilli
This session will showcase ARIES for SEEA’s transparent, fast, and open-source approach to Environmental Accounting.
The demonstration will highlight how ARIES for SEEA supports studies in countries with diverse data availability and capacity. By presenting real-world applications focused on ecosystem mapping, the demo will illustrate the platform’s ability to provide state-of-the-art results under time and financial constraints.
BIOSPACE25 is a unique opportunity to connect with a global community of biodiversity and EO experts. Join us as we connect and collaborate to enhance biodiversity monitoring and its impact on policy and practice. Links for remote participation will be shared on the conference website closer to the event in February 2025, and no registration is required for online attendance.
We look forward to seeing you in Frascati!
