Abstract

Earth observation (EO) via remote sensing technologies is increasingly being used for ecosystem assessment and valuation (Andrew et al., 2014; Potschin and Haines-Young, 2016a; Gomez-Baggethun et al., 2016). Processed satellite data enables development of spatially explicit and geographically broad assessments of ecosystems around the globe. These often cost less and take less time than field surveys, even when including resources required for ground-truthing of remote data. As satellites revisit the same areas at regular intervals, ecosystem change over time can be captured. Processing this data with information about users of ecosystem services (ES) allows decision-makers to understand not only ecological functions but also how they deliver benefits to people (Boyd and Banzhaf, 2007; Landers and Nahlik, 2013). As a result, remotely sensed or EO products can support defining, measuring and assessing ecosystem services effectively.