This document outlines the objectives and structure of a workshop on enhancing freshwater monitoring through Earth observation. It discusses the importance of inland waters and the opportunity that Earth observation data provides for improving freshwater monitoring. The objectives of the workshop are to highlight current and future Earth observation data and products available for monitoring inland waters, and to discuss new frameworks for utilizing these data in research and management of freshwaters. The workshop structure includes sessions on challenges in freshwater monitoring, current applications of Earth observation data, developing solutions, and future collaborative opportunities.

1. Enhancing freshwater monitoring through
Earth Observation:
Objectives and Opportunities
Professor Andrew Tyler
Head of Biological and Environmental Sciences
University of Stirling

2. Rationale
Inland Waters:
• 3.7% of world’s non glaciated land surface
• 84% of freshwater resources
• Provide essential ecosystem goods &
services
• Fundamental to global food security
• Global concerns over future water security
(Unsustainable use; MEA 2005)
• Important in global biogeochemical
cycling (Bastviken et al. 2011, Science)
• Lakes: ‘sentinels of environmental
change’

4. Opportunity
Challenge led
Building partnerships
Strengthening research and innovation
Agile response to emergencies

5. Objectives
1. To highlight current and near future Earth Observation
data and products available for improving freshwater
monitoring.
– Deliver a step change in our ability to monitor inland waters
– High frequency monitoring for water management and early
warning
2. To discuss new frameworks for utilising these data in
research and management of freshwaters
– Exchange state of the art research that deals with challenges of
delivering consistent high quality EO products
– Address the big research questions facing society and the
management of inland waters
– Developing the capability to operationalize data processing for
wider societal benefit.

6. Structure: Day 1
10:00 Session 1: Current Challenges, Needs and
Best Monitoring Practice
11:15 Coffee/Tea
11:45 Session 2: Current research and applications
of EO data in freshwater monitoring
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Session 3: Challenges and Solutions
15:30 Coffee/Tea
16:00 Session 3: Challenges and Solutions II
17:30 Wrap-up of Day 1
18:00 Poster Session with refreshments
19:15 Workshop Dinner at Stirling Court Hotel
ESA: Sentinel 3 launch

7. Structure: Day 2
9:00 Loch Leven, Fife
19:00 Dinner ESA: Sentinel 3 launch

8. 16:00 Stirling Castle
19:00 Stirling Highland Hotel
Structure: Day 3
ESA: Sentinel 3 launch
9:00 Session 4: Future collaborative opportunities for
developing new data products
Reporting
11:30 Session 5: Developing improved frameworks and
products for freshwater monitoring Exploring gaps
and requirements
Reporting
14:00 Summary of Workshop Findings
Agree next steps
15:30 Final Poster Session