Connecting people and the environment
Data integration and Open Access
The Portuguese Coastal Monitoring Network (CoastNet) is a Research Infrastructure (RI) included in the Portuguese Roadmap of Research Infrastructures, designed to improve the understanding of Portuguese coastal ecosystems’ functioning through the development of a coastal monitoring system.
CoastNet provides data visualization capacity and free access to in-situ datasets. This RI will also provide multiple services such as: on-demand environmental quality assessments, advanced training research, innovation, public and private consultancy, laboratory support and data collection.
The physical, chemical and biological attributes collected in three Portuguese estuaries (Mondego, Tagus and Mira) and adjacent coastal areas, will contribute to an integrated assessment of long-term trends in coastal communities.
The CoastNet RI will assess and monitor environmental conditions from selected Portuguese coastal systems, ultimately contributing to the sustainable exploitation of resources and biodiversity conservation.
Main Goals
- Obtain remote and local observations of the Portuguese coast;
- Integrating and visualizing the obtained data;
- Free access to near real-time data.
The CoastNet functioning and ultimate goal is achieved through 3 lines of action:
- Coastal Remote Sensing System (CRSS)
The CRSS provides a range of Earth Observation (EO) products for the Portuguese coastal region, which can be accessed and visualized in near real-time and downloaded by the RI users. - Environmental and Biological Monitoring Systems (EBMS)
The EBMS provides continuous measurements of environmental and biological variables along the estuarine gradients of the Mondego, Tagus and Mira estuaries. - Portuguese Tracking Network (PTN)
PTN has an array of biotelemetry acoustic receivers in several Portuguese estuaries and adjacent coastal areas, collecting data on tagged animals.
