RCMRD Seeks to Improve the Wetlands Vulnerability Assessment Tool

The Regional Centre For Mapping Of Resources For Development (RCMRD), under the Global Monitoring for Environmental and Security (GMES) and Africa Programme, is partnering with Environmental Surveys, Information, Planning and Policy Systems (ESIPPS) to augment the wetlands vulnerability tool to generate services that foster relevant policy response frameworks in wetlands. The environmental monitoring tool assessing wetland vulnerability will be hinged on Earth Observation (EO) data and increase end-users knowledge about the essential details regarding the wetlands ecosystem.

The tool is an upgrade to the previous tool dedicated to responding to various wetland systems. Furthermore, ESIPPS will upgrade the tool data and functionality, establish a wetland conservation framework, build a dashboard and mapographics showing available products and tools and conduct virtual training for GMES and Africa staff, partners and end-users. RCMRD is also partnering with GeomikAfrica to develop environmental monitoring tools for Land Degradation Services using EO data, Innovative Techniques and End-User Knowledge in the East Africa Region.

The programme is under the thematic application developed under the GMES and Africa Phase 2, which commenced in January 2022 and is expected to end in December 2025. The total investment of the European Commission to GMES and Africa phase 2 is EUR 24.65 million (USD 28 million). In addition, GMES and Africa phase 2 will focus on how EO applications and services can enhance environmental sustainability and socio-economic development and foster environmental and long-term natural resource management for human development.