Open-Earth-Monitor's first hackathon challenge

The Open-Earth-Monitor (OEMC) project launches its first hackathons and invites young researchers and members of the GIS community to explore machine learning solutions for land cover mapping and modeling FAPAR using data-driven approaches.

Since a good machine learning challenge needs to be based on a high quality input dataset, the participants of the first hackathon will work with ground-truth data provided by the LUCAS Survey (funded by the European Commission). Using data about land cover, land use, irrigation management and structural elements of European landscapes, the participants will be asked to map these landscapes using satellite images and machine learning models. The participant with the highest accuracy will win the challenge. As of the second hackathon, Global-FAPAR (Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetic Active Radiation), participants will face a regression problem, i.e. modeling FAPAR at high spatial resolution using data driven approaches and biophysical variables.

The hackathons are an opportunity for participants to connect with cutting edge developments and experts in the field of machine learning. It’s also a good chance to improve, share knowledge and build a creditable background within Earth Observation applications.

The event will take place online and will be hosted by Leandro Parente from OpenGeoHub (OGH) and co-organized by the Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability (NODES) Research Group of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), CREAF, GILAB, the Institute for Geoinformatics of the Münster University (IFGI), Terrasigna and, Eurac Research.

The Horizon-Europe project “Open-Earth-Monitor-Cyberinfrastructure’ aims for accelerating the uptake of key environmental data across borders anchored in FAIR and open data principles. We are convinced that in order to increase usability of OEMC outputs we need to interact with and involve diverse communities. That’s why we strive for including PhD students, young researchers, and members of the GIS community. Moreover, we encourage female researchers to join this challenge, as we believe there is a gap that needs to be filled in by women participating in science.

The Open-Earth-Monitor consortium, formed by 23 international organizations, research institutes and private businesses from Europe and beyond, is also working closely with European Space Agency (ESA), EuroGEO (European members of the Group on Earth Observations) and GEOSecretariat on enabling easier access to environmental information through use cases and workshops.

Contact the IIASA OEMC Project Team for more information: