A key part of project development is the clear establishment of objectives, goals, and expected outcomes. FERRO has defined these from the outset and is now presenting the project’s results and achievements. 

Background: Why do we need a remote sensing-based classification of lakes assessment tool?

Classifying and prioritising lakes for restoration is a major mission of the project, as there is an obvious need for an innovative tool, using remote sensing data, to strategically classify and prioritise lakes for restoration. Therefore, the second outcome from FERRO is a multi-metric framework whose main objectives focus on answering the need for such a tool, creating a harmonised and cost-effect lake assessment process.

How will this be achieved: FERRO’s input

European lakes are subject to multiple pressures from land use change, population growth, and climate impacts, with eutrophication remaining a major threat to water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Despite policy frameworks such as the EU Water Framework Directive, effectively assessing and prioritising lakes for restoration remains a challenge. There is therefore a need for a harmonised, scalable, and cost-efficient tool that integrates lake and catchment characteristics with remote sensing data to support strategic classification and prioritisation. 

FERRO addresses this need by developing a multi-metric framework with two main objectives: classification of lakes based on their risk for eutrophication and prioritisation of lakes for restoration. The framework focuses on hundreds of European lakes and builds on an existing global lake typological approach that classifies lakes based on their risk of eutrophication.

To achieve this, several lake- and catchment-scale metrics are combined to characterise both inherent lake properties and the catchment’s potential for nutrient export into the lake. These metrics include catchment and lake size, catchment slope, soil characteristics, and population density, among others. 

Who will benefit from this?

The resulting assessment and prioritisation framework will benefit a wide range of stakeholders involved in lake management and restoration. National and regional water authorities, environmental agencies, and policymakers. Lake managers and restoration practitioners can gain a quick overview of eutrophication risk as a combination of inherent lake sensitivity and the catchment’s nutrient load potential.