OZCAR-RI Regional Spatial Observatory in the South West France - France

OSR has a strong activity in the calibration/validation of Earth Observation satellites from the concept of satellite missions to their valorisation. The strength and the strategy of OSR remain on a multi-scales monitoring network with (1) continuous long and mid-term monitoring of experimental plots, (2) about 500 plots annually monitored for surface state, land cover, etc., (3) experiments conducted on wider scales with reinforced observations on several crop plots and (4) added value products and mapping coming from remote sensing data with wide spectral ranges and resolution. Besides inventories aspects, the characterization of the evolution of surfaces states allows the development of algorithms for land use and biophysics products mapping from remote sensing data. Those products serve to force and/or validate the models developed by the CESBIO and other laboratories to study surface processes from critical zone involved in vegetation dynamic, energy, water, and greenhouse gases fluxes. The data collected and internationally shared through OSR (in ICOS, JECAM, OZCAR, ZA PYGAR) help in: (1) Investigating the interactions between climate and anthropic pressure on agronomical and environmental services of ecosystems from plot to regional scale, (2) demonstrating the high potential of combining remote sensing, modeling and in situ data for interdisplinary research themes (physics, ecology, hydrology, agronomy, etc.), (3) showing the contribution of scientific innovation in the elaboration of territorial and resources management strategies.