Water Quality

Assessing water quality and its variability in space and time to be able . . .

Water Quality

Assessing water quality and its variability in space and time

Why is it important?

Having access to near real-time information about the conditions of water quality and its distribution is essential to proactively manage risks and improve responses to water incidents, such as algal blooms, red tides or sediment plumes.

Remote-sensing is the only practical and economical method to detect the quality of marine environments as well as remote and large inland waters where frequent in situ sampling is impossible. Satellite-image archives enable change detection of previously unmeasured or un-monitored water bodies.

How does it work?

At DHI GRAS we process satellite imagery with state-of-the-art algorithms to produce accurate and seamless maps on water quality, such as chlorophyll concentrations or suspended matter content.

These maps enable assessments of the current and historic state of the water quality and its variability in space and time, which is key for impact assessments, early warnings, environmental monitoring as well as water resource management.

What you get!

Detailed and customised mapping of the water quality in your water environment with very fast turn-around time

Insights into historical water quality conditions and comparison with present information

Seamless integration of information from Earth Observation and in situ monitoring into your decision support system

Typical customers?

Contractors to survey the impact of construction work in marine environments

Authorities to complement or redesign traditional water quality monitoring for their monitoring obligations, e.g. for the Water Framework Directive or support early warnings of occurrences of algae blooms, red tides and sediment plumes

Aquaculture farmers to monitor water condition and its variability in space and time or support site selection decisions

Specifications

Depending on the aim of the monitoring and the desired spatial resolution, the temporal frequency ranges from daily to annual and the spatial resolution from 10-300 meters

All data can be aggregated according to customer specifications, such as seasonal means, monthly means etc.

In general, satellites provide information on the uppermost layer of the water body

Please contact us for more information

Price list

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871

November 14, 2018February 1, 2019

Satellite Imagery

Satellite-based map layers to document resource assessment is highly valuable source of information

Satellite Imagery

Satellite-based map layers to document resource assessment

Why is it important?

Satellite imagery is a highly valuable source of information as the applications are many and can be tailored to the individual project.

Traditional field surveys to monitor areas and projects are costly and time-consuming, whereas this solution gives you the information you need at a similar price but much faster.

With satellite imagery you can track the local environment, the progress of your infrastructure project or urban developments. It also allows for comparison with archived data and depicts large and remote areas.

How does it work?

DHI GRAS is working together with the world’s leading providers of satellite imagery to increase the access to the continuously growing field of satellite data.

Due to the recent improvements in spatial resolution, satellites are now a competitive alternative to aerial photography and field visits in many different applications. An array of different satellites ensures your specific needs will be covered.

Our vast experience allows us to offer our customers an independent and solid advice on which satellite image that would fit the specific purposes best.

Through our distribution agreements with almost all commercial satellite operators we make sure the latest news and details are available to our customers.

What you get!

A product that fits into all types of GIS applications and other software packages

Access to independent and experienced advice on which satellite imagery fits your project the best

Access to a large portfolio (+50) of radar imagery with all-weather image capabilities

Typical customers?

Municipalities looking for a cost-efficient overview of their area

Researchers looking for detailed imagery for research purposes

Planners looking for detailed insights for remote sites before field surveying and construction activities

Specifications

WorldView-2: multispectral imagery at 1.8 meter resolution and panchromatic imagery at 0.46 meters

QuickBird: 60 cm resolution (panchromatic and pansharpened) and 2.4 m multispectral

GeoEye-1: 0.4 m resolution (panchromatic and pansharpened)

Ikonos: 4 m multispectral

RapidEye: 5 m

Pleiades: 4 band data at 2 m resolution and panchromatic data at 0.7 m

Price list

Get archived optical data products from €10/km² with a spatial resolution from 0.5 m

Get new optical data acquisition from €17/km² with a spatial resolution from 0.5 m

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871

November 14, 2018January 18, 2021

Satellite-derived Bathymetry

Mapping and measuring water depths from space to monitor constantly changing coastal environments . . .

Satellite-derived Bathymetry

Mapping and measuring water depths from space

Why is it important?

Coastal environments are some of the most dynamic and constantly changing regions of the globe. Monitoring and mapping these changes is critical to environmental studies and construction activities such as harbours, pipelines and other critical infrastructure in the coastal zone and shallow off-shore areas.

A significant part of the worlds coastal region is still poorly mapped, or the mapping is significantly outdated. Navigating in poorly mapped or dynamic areas can be supported with up-to-date satellite-derived water depths. The quick turnaround allows for quick delivery of up-to-date information as support to time-critical situations such as disaster relief following natural disasters where existing map material may have become outdated.

How does it work?

At DHI GRAS, we have developed a cost-effective method for accurate water depth mapping based on high resolution satellite images. Based on over 10 years of research and project activities we have developed an approach that exploits all the newest satellite systems.

Our proprietary state-of-the-art physical modelling method secures highly accurate deliveries. The approach is globally applicable, and we have helped clients all over the world from the polar regions to the tropics.

Satellite-derived bathymetry is a cost-effective approach to detailed mapping of the worlds shallow areas. Unlike field-based surveys the solution has a quick turnaround, no health and safety issues and requires no permits.

Since it is based on satellite information it is also ideal for remote areas and harsh environments.

What you get!

Very detailed mapping of the coastal and nearshore area in 2 to 10 meter spatial resolution

Very fast turn-around time no matter the location

Our proprietary methods and rigorous quality assessment ensures high quality data deliveries

Senior Project Manager,

Niras

Klavs Bundgaard

NIRAS has used high resolution bathymetry data from DHI GRAS for a detailed wave and water level study in Denmark. The bathymetry data was derived from satellites in an impressive high resolution. With the surface coverage, it was possible to see detailed morphological variations such as longshore bars, sand waves and other similar features, which are not normally seen in traditional measurements with that level of detail. It clearly made the subsequent modelling much more valid. The product is price-wise very competitive compared to traditional survey methods.

Typical customers?

Widely used by the modelling community where accurate bathymetry is required for any high quality hydrodynamic modeling of the coastal zone

Engineering companies working in the coastal zone use our data in the initial planning phase and as a first screening before conducting costly field campaigns

National authorities and hydrographic offices get up-to-date information about territorial waters and minimize navigational hazards within their area of responsibility

Specifications

We are industry leading providers of satellite-derived bathymetry

Our solution is based on more than 10 years of research and development funded by European Commission, European Space Agency, national authorities and internal funds

We have a proven track record with satisfied clients all over the world

We have a fast turn-around on all deliveries

We offer a cost efficient and industry leading high-quality product

Globally applicable where conditions allow it

All data undergo a very thorough quality

Every data point comes with an associated derived uncertainty measure

Price list

Available resolutions:

2-m resolution

10-m resolution

Price range depends on size of Area of Interest

Visit us at our bathymetry data portal

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871

November 14, 2018February 1, 2019

Crop Water Monitoring

Crop water use derived from Earth Observation data to facilitate increase in water-use . . . . .

Crop Water Monitoring

Crop water use derived from Earth Observation data to facilitate increase in water-use efficiency (crop per drop)

Why is it important?

The growing population and associated increase in food production, together with shifting weather patterns due to climate change, are putting increased pressure on fresh water resources. In many regions of the world, a large majority of fresh water withdrawals are used in agriculture and in particular for crop irrigation. Improving agricultural water use efficiency is therefore essential for a sustainable future.

Efficient management of fresh water resources is gaining prominence in national and international legislation. For example, the European Union’s Water Directive requires market pricing for agricultural water use, while the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals are driving efficiency improvements. Therefore, increasing crop water-use efficiency makes economic sense and could be a legislative requirement.

How does it work?

Information on the actual transpiration of the vegetation and the evaporation from soil surfaces can be derived from Earth Observation data.

Providing this kind of information can improve water use efficiency in agriculture because monitoring of crop water content and soil moisture is made possible helping to improve irrigation management and assessing crop water stress.

All products can be provided at regional and field scales with up to daily time steps. Accuracy can be improved by incorporating local information, e.g. meteorological observations or crop and soil maps, provided by the user.

What you get!

Advice on crop water stress, water withdrawal or irrigation efficiency based on the actual crop evapotranspiration

Soil moisture and vegetation water content maps

Information can be provided at regional or field scale at up to daily timescale (depending on the cloud cover)

Typical customers?

Irrigation district managers can use this information to improve water allocation and short-to-medium term planning

Farmers can benefit from timely water-stress data to prevent wasteful over-irrigation and to improve crop quality through deficit irrigation at critical times of the growing cycle

Regional authorities can ensure that water users are abiding by the relevant legislation, e.g. related to amount of fresh water withdrawals or water use restrictions

Specifications

Actual soil evaporation and crop transpiration derived with combined thermal and optical data

Soil moisture and vegetation water content derived using radar, thermal and optical data

Higher level products such as crop water stress, water withdrawals, irrigation efficiency, and water productivity

Maps can be produced at regional and field scales, with up to daily time step

Price list

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871

November 14, 2018February 1, 2019

Surface Water Monitoring

Using satellites to monitor surface water resources to support national water authorities and

Surface Water Monitoring

Using satellites to monitor surface water resources

Why is it important?

Monitoring surface water can support national water authorities and river basin commissions with vital data on basin hydrology and infrastructural development projects (e.g. planning dam construction or irrigation schemes). It is also crucial knowledge for irrigation and livestock watering and monitoring water-related ecosystems.

Historic and near real time flood mapping information helps to identify and evaluate flood hazards and to better plan for how to address the challenges from extreme climatic events.

How does it work?

Satellite derived information supports the assessment and monitoring of surface water resources from watershed to national and transboundary basin level.

The Surface Water Monitoring solution focuses on the identification of water bodies and wetlands and their associated dynamics. The monitoring information is key for assessing the availability of water resources over time including their response to climatic extremes such as floods and droughts.

Monitoring surface water from space provides water authorities with the reference information needed to make informed and timely decisions.

What you get!

Updated GIS maps with hydrology related information e.g. surface water, wetlands, irrigated areas and infrastructure projects in water environments

Necessary reference information for efficient planning and steering of surface water resources for human and livestock water requirements

Effective technology for mapping and monitoring of flood conditions of large regions and for inaccessible areas

Typical customers?

River basin organizations and environmental agencies to obtain important information on the basin hydrology and for ecosystem monitoring

Water authorities who are facing increased water scarcity and therefore need to effectively manage water resources to serve domestic, industrial and ecosystems requirements

Disaster management units for their preparedness, emergency planning and damage assessments

Specifications

Worldwide coverage

Resolutions down to 30 cm

Monitoring information can be provided on a weekly basis

Data available in a ready to use format for easy incorporation into existing GIS systems and databases

All weather capacity mapping through clouds and at night with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data

Price list

Prices starting from 0.1€ per km2

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871

November 14, 2018February 1, 2019

Urban Mapping

Locating impervious surfaces for better management of water runoff to prevent flooding, erosion . . . . . .

Urban Mapping

Locating impervious surfaces for better management of water runoff to prevent flooding, erosion and water pollution

Why is it important?

Urbanisation and growing commercial and residential development has substantially increased the proportion of impervious areas. Unlike areas with natural water percolation, impervious surface areas do not allow runoff to seep into the ground.

These impervious surface areas therefore have a large impact on storm water runoff – an impact which will be even further exacerbated in the future, where more extreme rainfall events are expected due to ongoing climatic changes.

In order to mitigate the potential threats from extreme weather events and promote sustainable urban planning, decision-makers and practitioners will need to know where all the excess water goes.

Spatially explicit information about the amount, location and type of impervious surfaces helps to evaluate how storm water runoff will be affected by future climatic changes as well as urban development.

How does it work?

The maps depict spatial explicit information about the amount, extent, location and type of impervious surface using advanced image analysis of satellite imagery or aerial photos.

With this approach an overview of the survey area can be given at a specific point in time and can differentiate between various types of impervious surface roads (e.g. roads, rooftops, parking lots) and pervious areas (e.g. parks, lakes, streams).

Our highly automated impervious surface solution is designed to provide professionals with the ideal reference information for hydrological modelling and urban planning.

What you get!

Updated and detailed maps of impervious surface areas in several thematic classes

Consistent and objective mapping, easily facilitating future updated maps

Delivery of the input satellite image in GIS format

Typical customers?

Urban planners use the maps to locate areas that may benefit from urban green planning or water infrastructure investments

Hydrological modelers use maps of impervious surface areas as key input for modelling of urban storm water runoff

Public decisionmakers use the maps to monitor the overall green status of the urban areas

Specifications

The thematic maps cover classes such as impervious areas, roads, buildings, vegetation and water

Data is ready for use in hydrological modelling software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Mapping can be done based on existing aerial photos or on satellite imagery down to 30 cm spatial resolution

For river basin mapping, it is possible to perform the mapping at smaller map scales, using medium resolution satellite images

Price list

Prices starting at 75 EUR/sqkm

The price of Impervious Surface Mapping varies and relates to factors such as size of the area, input data types and availability of ancillary data

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871

November 14, 2018February 1, 2019

Training and Capacity Development

Providing customized training sessions to strengthen Earth Observation (EO) capabilities to help make use

Training & Capacity Development

Providing customized trainings to strengthen Earth Observation capabilities

Why is it important?

In recent years the amount of satellite data available has increased rapidly. With our customized trainings we can help you to make use of this vast amount of information to make sense in your daily work.

Geospatial information is the underpinning infrastructure for a wide range of applications, including environmental protection, urban planning and water management. Knowing how to handle geographic information will support you in effective decision-making.

How does it work?

Our customized trainings from 1-day seminars to multiple week courses helps you to strengthen your skills in using satellite information in your project work. The modular way of arranging the training, with theoretical blocks and hands-on sessions, allow us to design highly flexible and customized workshops, for your specific needs.

We are promoting open-source solutions which makes it easy for you to continue the work with satellite data after the training without worrying about licensing costs.

A long record of experience has been built up since 2000 in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, where we have given trainings in all aspects of Earth observation as well as geographical information in general.

What you get!

Customised training sessions targeting knowledge gaps within your staff

Hands-on training allowing you to solve your problems better with satellite information

Theoretical knowledge on image analysis and interpretation

Typical customers?

Capacity building and technical assistance for forest monitoring and illegal logging in Latin America

Theoretical introduction to GIS analyses hands-on sessions for assessments of renewable resources in Vietnam

Training courses in the usage of QGIS for integrated water basin management at river basin authorities and water departments in Africa

Specifications

Curriculum could contain: theory in remote sensing, satellite data handling and processing, mapping and reporting, GIS basics/advanced training

All kinds of optical and microwave satellite data, e.g. Sentinels, Landsat, MODIS etc.

Open source tools such as QGIS, SNAP, python, R

Geospatial information Management

Price list

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871

November 13, 2018February 1, 2019

Software Development

Easy access and visualization of data is as important as the actual analysis . . . .

Software Development

Custom-made applications for data processing and web portals

Why is it important?

Handling and performing analysis of large quantities of Earth Observation data is a demanding and time-consuming task, that often requires specialized software and skills. Our software solutions embed our knowledge and experience.

Easy access to and visualization of data is as important as the actual analysis and processing of the data itself. We build modern and intuitive web apps that fit your needs, whether it’s an internal tool for your analysts to query data, or a simple and elegant app for visualizing results.

The solution is based on tried and true analysis methods or modern AI and machine learning, and our analysts and software developers work together to transform it into an algorithm which can be deployed operationally. Automating the entire pipeline, from acquisition to analysis and visualization. Online platforms allow interactive exploration of the extracted information and provide increased level of stakeholder engagement. Online. Online access also allows the information to be continuously updated in real time as data is collected and analyzed from around the globe.

How does it work?

Our software solutions allow you to exploit the knowledge and experience within custom-made toolboxes and online applications.

We implement advanced methods for data processing and analysis and turn them into easy-to-use applications that will allow you to extract high value information from large quantities of Earth Observation data.

This can be in the form of open-source toolboxes for QGIS, stand-alone applications or online applications tailored specifically to your use. With our strong scientific background, we rely on both physically-based and machine-learning models.

What you get!

Custom built software and toolboxes that allow you to efficiently extract information from large quantities of geospatial data

Online applications allowing interactive exploration of information products instead of traditional maps or reports

The knowledge and experience of DHI GRAS packaged into your own software solution – either on your desktop or in the cloud

Typical customers?

National agencies responsible for environmental reporting use our toolboxes to extract environmental parameters from satellite data in real time

A renewable energy company wanting to follow the trend in adoption of rooftop solar cells or a city wanting to build an app for its residents showing availability of parking spaces

Interactive web map applications are used by mining and dredging companies to limit and document their impact on the environment

Specifications

We often extend the functionality of existing software, such as QGIS, by developing plugins or toolboxes

We mainly work in Python on high performance infrastructure including cloud environments, HPC clusters and specialized software that runs on GPUs

Our web solutions are often built based on material design principles powered by both open source components as well as custom built engines like our own TerraCotta raster tile server

Price list

Software toolboxes and online applications should be tailored for your specific use. We develop solutions from very simple web viewers to large applications for big data analysis on cloud environments.

Contact us for further details

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871

November 13, 2018February 1, 2019

Land Cover

Land cover mapping represent perhaps the most common and useful application of satellite . . . .

Land Cover

A graphical representation of the land surface

Why is it important?

Land cover mapping represent perhaps the most common and useful applications of satellite remote sensing.

Land cover mapping is used within a wide range of applications including natural resource management, urban planning, hydrological modeling and exploration of oil, gas, and minerals.

The access to historical data makes it possible to detect land cover and land cover changes back in time, and the continued supply of new image data allows monitoring and detection of changes in land cover in the observed period of time. Up-to-date land cover maps and change detection maps are often used in environmental impact assessments.

How does it work?

A satellite image contains information that can readily be analyzed and interpreted visually.

Nevertheless, it is in some cases necessary to convert the satellite image to a thematic map of different land cover or land use types.

This will make it possible to work quantitatively with the characteristics of the area to analyse and understand the land cover and surface better.

A land cover representation allows to perform calculations on i.e. the area of each class or analyze distances to roads or settlements. Comparing historical assessments of land cover with recent land cover allows for investigating landscape changes.

Land cover and land cover change maps are often used as inputs to hydrological models or for environmental impact assessments.

What you get!

An up-to-date graphical representation of the surface

A systematic assessment of land cover with custom tailored classes

Various resolution and accuracies are possible depending on needs

Typical customers?

Hydrologists use land cover as input to regional hydrological models, soil erosion models or flood models

Environmental managers use land cover as background for other thematic layers (e.g. administrative units, location of towns, environmental sensitive areas etc.) as part of Environmental Impact Assessments

Agronomists/forest managers use landcover to understand and update agricultural statistics on i.e. crop types, fallow periods, deforestation, and forest regrowth

Specifications

The basic principle behind land cover mapping is the ability to distinguish different surface covers based on their spectral signatures

Typical land cover classes we map are: vegetation, built-up area, water bodies, agricultural areas and forest areas

The actual classes to be mapped depends on the usage of the land cover maps

Our approach is to customize the land cover maps with regards to budget, actual classes and detail level

Price list

Typically land cover maps are produced in 10-30 m resolution with approximately 10 different classes, but can be produced in much finer details down to 30 cm resolution

The cost for land cover maps typically starts at a few thousand euros, but actual price depends on detail level and actual land cover classes

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871

November 13, 2018February 1, 2019

Suspended Sediment

Monitoring sediment load and distribution during dredging and material handling in aquatic environments . . .

Suspended Sediment

Monitoring and mapping sediment distribution from space

Why is it important?

Monitoring sediment load and distribution during dredging and material handling in aquatic environments is important for infrastructure companies and environmental authorities to ensure that the health of these coastal systems is not disturbed.

By utilizing the opportunities that satellites provide, it is possible to optimize the timing of field campaigns so that any and all seasonal variations are included in the sampling based on historical data, and at the same time get more accurate and cost-efficient information than traditional monitoring techniques. This reduces the risk of dredging bans and limits damage from dredging.

How does it work?

Sediment detection from satellite information reduces the risk and damage of dredging while providing more accurate and cost-efficient information than traditional monitoring techniques.

Many infrastructure companies and environmental authorities face difficult circumstances when undertaking coastal constructions, dredging activities and general management of coastal activities.

Traditional monitoring methods include costly field based approaches with associated risks for both personnel and equipment.

We can provide you with a web-based solution that provides information on the spatial distribution, in near real-time, which optimizes construction and production activities and reduces costs.

What you get!

A quick and cost-efficient way of monitoring suspended sediment in your coastal area

A baseline to establish the spatial extent of sediment distribution and load

A tool to separate the effect of marine construction from natural occurrences

Typical customers?

Coastal managers use it for identification of potential sedimentation problems, for environmental impact assessments, and for monitoring conditions during coastal constructions

Coastal construction companies use it to document the environmental impact, for optimal site identification and to identify baseline conditions

Dredging companies use it to estimate sediment movements. To document environmental impact of activities and to calibrate sediment movement models

Specifications

This type of information can be delivered in near real time for regional studies (250 m – 1200 m resolution) and within a few days for detailed studies (0.6 m – 30 m resolution)

Historical analysis possible based on archived satellite data to establish baselines

Cost-effective compared to traditional monitoring methods (in-situ collection, buoy measurements etc.)

Provides information on spatial variation – not just a point measurement

Data available in a ready to use format – easy incorporation into existing GIS systems and databases

Price list

EOatDHI part of the DHI GROUP

gras@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9100

Agern Alle 5,
2970 Hørsholm,
Denmark

CVR: 36466871