Episode 4 - The Capabilities of the Europe-LAND Toolbox

00:00:00: Hello and welcome to the fourth episode of European Land Use Talks, a mini podcast series of The Horizon Europe Project – Europe Land.

00:00:07: We're happy you are here!

00:00:08: Here we talk about anything land use in biodiversity related whilst sharing our project progress.

00:00:14: My name is Megan Kerling And I am the communications manager at the project from Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

00:00:30: Today we're excited for you to hear our interview with Nikos Theodosio from the Department of Civil Engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, a member of our consortium who together with his team leads our Europe Land Work Package VI responsible for the toolbox deliverable.

00:00:46: The Europe Land Toolbox is designed to support evidence-based decision making linking spatial data to climate and biodiversity considerations.

00:00:54: Our Greek team, led by Nikos has been hard at work on the toolbox since beginning of this project.

00:00:59: Building it in tandem with feedback they receive from community members giving a test.

00:01:04: Whether you're researcher planner policymaker or land user This platform will empower to better understand how land use decisions can shape future landscapes.

00:01:15: This spring, Nikos and his team have begun hosting a series of expert webinars through Europlanned tailored specifically for each project's different stakeholder groups to really ensure that these groups are getting the absolute most out-of-this powerful tool.

00:01:29: After listening this episode we encourage you try off the toolbox yourself by visiting europe-land.eu where it is easily accessible from main navigation at your screen.

00:01:41: And now let's talk to Nikos!

00:01:45: My name is Niko Sildosiu.

00:01:47: I'm a professor at the Department of Superengineering at the University of Thessaloniki in Greece, and my team is leading WebPackage Six for the Euroground project.

00:01:59: which is that development... The main feature is the development of new toolbooks—the Euroground Toolbooks —that will search as an information provider for the users of our project.

00:02:15: Can you just give us a general overview what the Europlan toolbox is and how it does?

00:02:22: The Europlan Toolbox is an web-based GIS platform that provides geographically referenced information on land use and land cover across the continent, across Europe.

00:02:35: It was specifically developed to address the needs of stakeholders involved in the Euroground project.

00:02:43: So this platform was built from the ground by our team at the Department of Civil Engineering of the Aristotle University of San Miki, Greece Of course always in close collaboration with all our project partners.

00:02:56: It brings together geographical information from both external and project-generated sources.

00:03:04: I'm also curious, Nikos how if at all the toolbox is representing other results and deliverables coming out of the European project.

00:03:13: The Toolbox integrates international databases such as Copernicus, the European Environmental Agency and other sources while also showcasing data developed within the project itself.

00:03:28: so it includes databases such as the integrated administration and control system, the famous IX data.

00:03:38: And various policy instruments including regulatory economic information or tools.

00:03:46: Some of this information actually is being presented in this type on platform for the first time.

00:03:53: In addition The toolbox includes data modeling results and projections from projects and from the project, seven case studies.

00:04:03: And of course always all the uploaded data fully comply with GDPR regulations as well as the tenant conditions for them.

00:04:12: original data

00:04:14: providers.".

00:04:15: It sounds like a very powerful tool!

00:04:18: I guess you briefly mentioned kind what's in gap research or practice that your team was trying to fill.

00:04:25: but if More on that, you're welcome to tell us more about what the gap is.

00:04:33: There's a saying data has new goals and we strongly agree with it.

00:04:41: However, just as gold must be mined, valuable data often requires significant efforts to locate an exit.

00:04:51: This is where this Eurovan toolbox comes in and adds value.

00:04:57: Our goal has been to simplify and streamline access to land use, and land cover data for all interested

00:05:06: stakeholders.".

00:05:07: In essence the European Toolbox Service has some.

00:05:11: what do we call a one-stop shop with geographical information related to land used in land cover?

00:05:17: You mentioned that When you are building and as you continue to build the toolbox, You're really trying to keep in mind your plans big stakeholder groups.

00:05:25: Those of course being researchers policy makers land users and planners.

00:05:29: And so I'm curious if he could give us a little bit of insight into how each Of these very unique stakeholder groups Could Each Really Use The Toolbox In Practice.

00:05:39: So this seven toolbox was designed To be user friendly To all kinds of users because Different kinds of users have different needs and they have a different level.

00:05:51: We provide tools, we provide tutorials ,we provide guidelines to ensure that each user depending on their specific interests but also in their specific capacities can easily navigate the platform and access information most relevant to them.

00:06:08: so one other platforms key advantages is that users can find in a single location, which we believe that significantly improves efficiency.

00:06:24: And to make this data easier to interpret We also developed additional features That allow users To compare different databases and to track land use changes over time.

00:06:41: Actually during our online webinars test users identified these functionalities, particularly useful and innovative.

00:06:51: So another important feature that we included in this toolbox is the interactive element so users can upload their own areas of interest.

00:07:05: they receive tailored feedback including information on large news patterns changes over time from the toolbox in report formats so that they can use it directly where needed.

00:07:21: We believe, as more detailed and accessible this information stakeholders can obtain... ...the more accurate and effective their decisions are within respective

00:07:32: fields.".

00:07:33: Absolutely!

00:07:34: I'm sure there's probably some people who after listening to my answer will be curious about what the specific kind of data that you're using.

00:07:42: And so if you could tell us a little bit about, What kind of Data Repositories are currently integrated?

00:07:47: and also there's The possibility to integrate further open data repositories.

00:07:51: or If You're done with the toolbox then There is no more expansion coming.

00:07:55: No!

00:07:56: Not by far.

00:07:58: We want To include information That we consider accurate Coming from short courses that Are reliable.

00:08:06: So, we created a lot of information coming from Copernicus.

00:08:10: It's the European Observatory and they have very interesting information about either direct or indirectly related to land use and land cover because depending on the stakeholders in their meets... They might meet direct information how land user has been developed but also indirect for example, forest fires on the impermeability of ground or how cities develop and all infrastructure.

00:08:45: So we try to provide users as much information that's as we can.

00:08:50: And then they will decide which is this information useful for them?

00:08:54: It could be included in their work.

00:08:58: We include information from Covenecus.

00:09:04: major source of information.

00:09:08: We include the formation coming from sources that identify protected areas, and we continue to try to find information that can be geographically presented because this is an issue such as web-based GIS toolboxs and it's useful for users.

00:09:31: so we will continue to upload information until the end of the project.

00:09:35: I believe that we will continue on to the ends, towards information

00:09:41: and as we enter into the final year of The Project.

00:09:44: are there specific hopes or goals you have for the toolbox?

00:09:49: Or is it really just your still building with feedback kind?

00:09:52: what's your thoughts about where do want the tool box go over this next year?

00:09:59: Yes, I'll start with the last question.

00:10:04: We secured this that the toolbox will be available even after the end of project release to run agreement with our university and they would continue hosting the toolbooks for many years even at the end.

00:10:17: so we believe it is something you need to provide to your users because we are trying to educate them and we don't want to avoid them after the end of their project.

00:10:34: So, we are still very ambitious about the outcomes in development for Toolbox.

00:10:41: Our main ambition is reach as many stakeholders as possible... ...and continue responding to their needs and feedback because from the beginning what do you call a co-development?

00:10:55: So we receive information, we receive feedback with their reaction and try to include it in the next steps or versions of this toolbox.

00:11:07: We want make these toolbox as practical and valuable as they can be.

00:11:14: We recognize that land use development is critical for our future in Europe and all over the world, particularly in the context of climate change.

00:11:27: Because climate changes significantly influences land use and land cover patterns but at the same time is being strongly affected by them.

00:11:37: so there's an interaction between climate change and land use And for this reason we hope that the toolbox will continue to evolve into even more impactful resource or supporting informed decision-making.

00:11:57: Absolutely, all of that is really impressive and obviously we're grateful to have your full team working on it constantly if feels like And were proud that its a key deliverable for the project.

00:12:08: so thank you very much.

00:12:09: I really appreciate it.

00:12:11: Thank you mega for initiating this discussion.

00:12:14: Have good rest of your day

00:12:16: Bye bye.

00:12:17: Thanks for tuning in to this episode of European Land Use Talks.

00:12:21: If you liked what you heard, we hope that you'll subscribe and join us on future episodes!

00:12:25: In the meantime please visit our website europe-land.eu To learn more about work we're doing And stay connected with us by joining our stakeholder pool.

00:12:33: We will see ya next time.