Israeli universities develop satellite tool to survey Mediterranean vegetation cover
Jewish National Fund says that combined with field surveys every 5 years, new tool can shorten data-collection times and improve accuracy
Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel's environment reporter
Researchers from several Israeli universities have developed a platform that uses free satellite images to produce annual maps of vegetation cover for the KKL-JNF Jewish National Fund.
KKL-JNF manages over 1.5 million dunams (over 370,000 acres) of Israel’s forests. The maps classify land into coniferous or broadleaf trees, shrublands, herbaceous vegetation, and bare lands.
The online tool — developed by the Hebrew University, Reichman University, and Tel Aviv University’s Open Landscape Institute — allows users to view maps by year or vegetation type, and to download statistics.
Tests against field measurements and wildfire data confirm that the maps accurately reflect real-world conditions, the KKL-JNF says.
Shayli Dor-Haim and Roni Tal from KKL-JNF’s Forest Management and Information Department said the tool could help to shorten data-collection times and improve accuracy, but had to be combined with real-time field assessments conducted every five years.
A KKL-JNF spokesman said similar products available in the global market offered lower resolution and usually dealt with humid environments.
The new, home-grown product focuses on Mediterranean vegetation, he explained, adding that it holds potential for other areas in the world with Mediterranean biomes, such as Australia and California.
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