Global Monitoring for Environment and Security and Africa (GMES & Africa) is organising a training on wetland vulnerability analysis using GIS tools and Earth Observation data. The training builds on the Wetlands Vulnerability Analysis (WVA) project implemented under the GMES and Africa Program supported by the African Union and implemented by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD). The assessment was achieved by using improved earth observation datasets and improving the methodology that deployed GIS modelling and analysis. Wetlands Vulnerability Analysis aimed to enhance the Wetlands Monitoring and assessment using geospatial tools and Earth Observation datasets.
Wetlands are areas where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. These occur where the water table is at or near the land’s surface or where the land is covered by water. Notwithstanding, wetlands constitute one of the world’s most productive environments. Thus, wetlands are hubs of biological diversity, providing the water and primary productivity upon which countless species of plants and animals (birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrate species) depend for survival. Unfortunately, global wetland systems have witnessed incomparable anthropogenically driven degradation over the past decades. This phenomenon has devastating consequences on the biodiversity and global climate cycle. Therefore, the drastic degradation of wetlands calls for real-time data and information about Africa’s wetland systems for accurate and reliable monitoring and assessment of changes.
Target Audience
The target audience will include research scientists, conservationists, tertiary institution academia, and technical staff from wetland conservation agencies with basic GIS and Earth observation knowledge.
Objectives
The objectives of this course are to:
- Empower participants with the skill of using Earth Observation data and tools in assessing wetland vulnerability; and
- Equip participants with knowledge and skills of WVA tools and products in monitoring and assessing wetland vulnerability.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this training, participants should be able to:
- Apply EO tools and data in Wetland Vulnerability Monitoring and Assessment;
- Visualise and interpret outputs of Wetland Vulnerability Assessment; and
- Use Wetland Vulnerability Analysis tool in wetland monitoring and assessment.
Training Outline
- Introduction to wetland ecosystems & vulnerability assessment/analysis;
- Introduction to Earth Observation data for wetland assessment and collection tool;
- Stakeholder composition and steps of WVA;
- Earth Observation Data sources and processing for WVA;
- Wetland Vulnerability Analysis tool development concept;
- Configuring and using Wetland Vulnerability Analysis tool (Desktop application); and
- Accessing and using Wetland Vulnerability Analysis tool (Web application).
Prerequisites
Participants will be expected to have introductory knowledge in Remote Sensing and GIS. Working knowledge of QGIS software will be an added advantage.
Mode of Delivery
The training will be conducted using the following:
- PowerPoint Presentation;
- Practical Sessions;
- Software Demonstrations; and
- Session Assignments
NB: The course will be virtual and delivered using Zoom. All the participants are expected to have a computer with good internet access for the entire duration of the training.
Mode of Assessment
Participants will be assessed through;
- Practical Exercises
- Active Participation in Training Sessions
- Tasks/Exercises
NB: Participants who fully complete the training workshop shall receive a Certificate of participation
Registration
Registration is now open to all interested participants. To register, kindly click here. Registered participants shall receive detailed schedule of the training workshop.
For more information about this event, please contact:
Mr Henry Massa – massahenri@gmail.com;
Dr Jane Bemigisha – director@esipps-int.org, bemigisha@yahoo.co.uk
Training team
Training coordinator: Henry Massa
The training chairperson, Organisers, moderators, and facilitators:
- Prof. Anthony Gidudu
- Prof. Moses Musinguzi
- Dr Jane Bemigisha
- Sendabo Sariko Degelo
- Tinbeb Yohannes
- Henry Massa
- Thomas Enuru
- Allan Mazimwe
- Paul Damba
Rapporteurs: Henry Massa, Allan Mazimwe and Tinbeb Yohannes.
IT Support: Mr Paul Damba
About the Organisers
GMES
The GMES program is a joint initiative. The European Commission and the African Union Commission are co-financing the initiative. The objective of the GMES & Africa Programme is to address the growing needs of African countries to access and use Earth Observation (EO) data for the implementation of sustainable development policies across the continent. The program is specifically designed to respond to African needs in water, natural resources, marine, and coastal areas and address global needs to manage the environment, mitigate climate change, and ensure civil security. It is further designed to enable the African Space Policy and Strategy to harness the continent’s capabilities in utilising space science and technology for economic growth and sustainable development.
Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD)
The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) is the lead institution for one of the GMES and Africa consortia in the Eastern Africa region. The consortium addresses three service areas: Land Degradation Monitoring and Assessment, Wetland Monitoring and Assessment, and Open Regional Reference Vector Database for Water and Agro-ecological zones under the framework of GMES and AFRICA of the African Union Commission with support from the European Commission. Under this arrangement, Makerere University, in Partnership with RCMRD, is responsible for the training and capacity-building program.
Environmental Surveys, Information, Planning and Policy Systems (ESIPPS)
The Environmental Surveys, Information, Planning and Policy Systems (ESIPPS) International Limited, and the implementing partners, notably RCMRD and the Department of Geomatics and Land Administration, Makerere University plans to host four days of training for stakeholders from all project implementation countries and those interested globally. The training will be a forum to disseminate outputs and discuss the methods developed and sharing experience to the end-users, achieve the GMES & Africa objective of capacity uptake, use, and development of Earth Observation application. Given the current COVID 19 pandemic, the training will be online from the 19th to the 22nd of July 2021.
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