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12 – 16 April 2027 University of Edinburgh

BIOMASS Science and Validation Workshop 2027

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Partners

Background

BIOMASS is ESA’s seventh Earth Explorer mission. Its primary objective is to reduce uncertainty in the global distribution of forest biomass. Using fully polarimetric and interferometric P-band synthetic aperture radar, the mission will produce global maps of forest biomass stocks, disturbance, and growth. Beyond this primary objective, BIOMASS will pursue important secondary scientific objectives, advancing understanding of subsurface geology in arid regions and the structure and dynamics of ice sheets and glaciers.

Objectives

  • Provide an open forum for the science community to present and discuss BIOMASS science topics and results
  • Foster international collaboration in the scientific exploitation of BIOMASS;
  • Identify novel, scientific use cases and applications for BIOMASS within and beyond the forest, desert, ice and ocean domains;
  • Identify innovative information technologies that can support the exploitation of BIOMASS observations and the evolution of BIOMASS products and applications;
  • Foster a new and diverse generation of remote-sensing scientists to exploit BIOMASS and complementary observations across its scientific domains;
  • Identify recommendations on the BIOMASS scientific exploitation and future activities;
  • Discuss the scope, methods and preliminary findings of the initial validation activities for Level 2A and 2B products;
  • Assess validation results, uncertainties and data-quality limitations for Level 2 forest products, drawing on independent reference measurements and intercomparison activities;
  • Coordinate priorities, protocols and future campaigns for sustained calibration and validation across the BIOMASS mission lifetime;
  • Formulate recommendations for product improvements based on validation evidence, user experience and emerging scientific requirements.

Thematics

  • Mission overview and updates
  • Novel scientific findings
  • Level-2/3 products (AGBD, FH, FD) validation
  • Multi-mission (incl. BIOMASS) bio-/geophysical parameter estimation
  • International collaboration in the scientific exploitation of BIOMASS
  • In-situ validation through coordinated field and airborne campaigns
  • Updates to validation methodology
  • Secondary objectives (DTM, tomography, ionosphere, subsurface geology in arid regions, the structure and dynamics of ice sheets and glaciers, ocean)
  • Information technologies that can support the exploitation of BIOMASS observations and the evolution of BIOMASS products and applications
  • Novel scientific use cases and applications for BIOMASS beyond the forest, desert, ice and ocean domains

Abstract Submission

We invite you to submit your abstract for an oral or poster presentation at the BIOMASS Science and Validation Workshop via the submission link

HERE

The ConfTool submission system will remain open until 31 December 2026.
We look forward to receiving your contributions and to welcoming you to the workshop.

Deadlines

Abstract submission opensOctober 2026
Abstract submission closesend of December 2026
Notification of acceptance & registration openingFebruary 2027
Preliminary programme issuedFebruary 2027
Final programme issuedMarch 2027
Workshop dates12 – 16 April 2027

Programme and Organising Committee

Clément Albinet

ESA

Diego Fernandez

ESA

Magdalena Fitrzyk

RSAC c/o ESA

David Milodowski

University of Edinburgh

Björn Rommen

ESA

Klaus Scipal

ESA

Ulla Väyrynen

Serco c/o ESA

Lorenza Versace

Olly c/o ESA

Mathew Williams

University of Edinburgh

Venue

University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Endinburgh EH8 9YL
United Kingdom