Integration of Earth Observation and Geospatial Datasets for the Development of a National Multi-hazard Risk Assessment in Cyprus
Journal
International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives
Date Issued
August 1, 2025
Abstract
Cyprus is located in the Eastern Mediterranean region, which is an area exposed to multiple natural hazards including wildfires, floods, earthquakes and landslides. A comprehensive, approach for multi-hazard risk assessment is very essential for mitigation strategies in order to enhance resilience. This study integrates Earth Observation (EO) and geospatial datasets to assess and reduce multi-hazard risks, highlighting the role of remote sensing in vulnerability mapping. The proposed methodology combines Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and other auxiliary datasets, which are provided by national stakeholders, like the Department of Lands and Surveys, the Geological Survey Department, the Department of Forests, and the Water Development Department. Moreover, environmental variables derived from EO data, such as land use/land cover, vegetation indices, and topographic parameters, were analyzed to identify hazard vulnerable areas. The integration of these datasets provides a more accurate and holistic understanding of risks. The results derived from our approach show high accuracy compared to ground truth data, confirming the effectiveness of EO techniques in multi-hazard risk assessment. The study highlights the importance of geospatial technologies in disaster risk reduction and decision-making processes. By providing high-resolution, near-real-time data, EO-based approaches enable policymakers, stakeholders, and organizations to implement targeted mitigation measures.
Funding
The present work is carried out in the framework of the ‘EXCELSIOR’: ERATOSTHENES: Excellence Research
Centre for Earth Surveillance and Space-Based Monitoring of the Environment H2020 Widespread Teaming project (www.excelsior2020.eu) in which the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence has been established. The ‘EXCELSIOR’ project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020
research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No857510, from the Government of the Republic of Cyprus through the Directorate General for the European Programmes, Coordination and Development and the Cyprus University of Technology. The authors also acknowledge the AI-OBSERVER project (https://ai-observer.eu/) that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme
HORIZONWIDERA-2021-ACCESS-03 (Twinning) under the Grant Agreement No 101079468.
Centre for Earth Surveillance and Space-Based Monitoring of the Environment H2020 Widespread Teaming project (www.excelsior2020.eu) in which the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence has been established. The ‘EXCELSIOR’ project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020
research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No857510, from the Government of the Republic of Cyprus through the Directorate General for the European Programmes, Coordination and Development and the Cyprus University of Technology. The authors also acknowledge the AI-OBSERVER project (https://ai-observer.eu/) that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme
HORIZONWIDERA-2021-ACCESS-03 (Twinning) under the Grant Agreement No 101079468.
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