In the spirit of the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) project MS.MONINA is exploring biodiversity as a 'new emerging area' of global attention. The project offers remote sensing based monitoring services for observing and managing the state of NATURA 2000 sites and other precious habitats to reduce the loss of biodiversity.

New concepts and methods combining earth observation (EO) data and in-situ data are defined and implemented with the aim to support public authorities in implementing policies and measures. Pilot applications in a range of study areas all over Europe will demonstrate the value and importance of monitoring for the conservation of biodiversity.

While European nature conservation will substantially benefit from this initiative, the tools and services developed also have a global impact. The project will support the GEO (Group on Earth Observations) societal benefit area of biodiversity and demonstrate the power of EO-based methods for monitoring sensitive ecological sites in general.