Based on the experiences and results of the FFG-funded project "EO4Forest", the main goal of BRmon is the extension of the mapping in scale, time and level of detail. Based on Copernicus data, mainly Sentinel-2, the land cover of all Austrian biosphere reserves (BRs): BR Wienerwald, BR Großes Walsertal and BRs Salzburger Lungau and Kärntner Nockberge are classified. These results can be used as baseline for operational monitoring programs and can serve as an input for related research. In the BR Wienerwald the level of detail in terms of analyzed classes is extended. Additional reference data for tree species and grassland areas are collected. As a result, the number of identified tree species will increase and information about mowing and forest management activities (and calamities) are provided. Next to Sentinel-2 also Sentinel-1 data provided by colleagues from the TU Vienna was used. For the temporal extension back to 1980s, data from the Landsat data archive are used. Landsat data with a spatial resolution of 30 m (compared to 10/20 m of Sentinel-2) are available from 1982 (Landsat 4 and 5). Using those data, the historical land cover development of the BRs is analyzed. Based on the outcomes of the individual activities, the potential of the Copernicus data (i.e. Sentinel-2) for land cover mapping and monitoring of Austrian BRs are evaluated and a monitoring concept is formulated.

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