Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability (NODES) | IIASA

NODES will mobilize the tools of citizen and data science combined with Earth observations to monitor, analyze, and foster progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To realize this vision, NODES will exploit novel data ecosystems in which several actors interact via infrastructure, analytics, and applications to produce, analyze, exchange, and consume data.

Three main cross-fertilizing pillars characterize the research focus of NODES: 

  • Advancing the field of citizen science: NODES will remain at the forefront of citizen science from conceptual advancements to innovations in citizen science practice, including the development of new means to acquire, analyze, and openly share citizen science data, as well as how citizen science can contribute to the SDGs and sustainability.
  • Enriching Earth observation: NODES will utilize new types of Earth observation technology (e.g., high-resolution imagery, drones, and the Internet of things (IoT)) and develop applications that focus on the interplay between Earth observation and citizen science using Geo-Wiki tools, various forms of remote sensing, and on-site observation.
  • Exploiting the digital revolution: NODES will harness the opportunities arising from the digital revolution by exploiting advancements in computing capabilities, data science (e.g., machine and deep learning), environmental informatics, and the geospatial sciences, among others, to enhance integrated systems science research and generate new and innovative data sets for further insights.

Models, tools, datasets

Overhead aerial view of city streets

Earth Observation & Citizen Science (Geo-Wiki)

Aerial of crops

Picture Pile

Projects

Image

Urban ReLeaf - Citizen-powered data ecosystems for inclusive and green urban transitions

Space satellite orbiting the earth

Open-Earth-Monitor Cyberinfrastructure (OEMC)

Staff

Katya Perez Guzman profile picture

Katya Perez Guzman

Research Scholar (NODES, SI)

Santosh Karanam profile picture

Santosh Karanam

Guest Software Developer (NODES)

Martin Hofer profile picture

Martin Hofer

Researcher (NODES)

Gerid Hager profile picture

Gerid Hager

Research Scholar (NODES)

News

Advanced Satellite Orbiting Earth Monitoring Weather Patterns and Data Transmission in Space.

30 September 2024

Transforming climate action through data

After the devastating floods that recently struck Vienna and other areas of Europe, global attention has turned to the need for better tools to combat climate change impacts. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also highlighted the need to build a competitive, decarbonized and circular economy, with a fair transition for all as a high-priority objective for this legislature. In this spirit, the Open Earth Monitor project will kick off the second edition of its flagship event in collaboration with IIASA on 2 October.
People picking up litter on a sandy beach

02 September 2024

IIASA-led research lauded with Outstanding Article Award

An IIASA-led paper published with collaborators and stakeholders from the Ghana Statistical Service, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), SDSN TReNDS, and other partners has received the Outstanding Article Award in the journal Sustainability Science’s Best Paper Awards for 2023.
Crop mapping and agriculture

22 August 2024

Improving the accuracy of global cropland mapping

To address the needs of the agricultural monitoring community, IIASA scientists fused two of the latest high quality, high-resolution, remotely-sensed cropland products to produce an improved cropland map for early warning and food security assessments.

Events

Focus

AI at IIASA

17 October 2024

AI at IIASA for earth monitoring in the era of transition

As the TED AI conference unfolds in Vienna, Ian McCallum, IIASA Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability Research Group Leader, brings a fresh perspective on the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in Earth monitoring. He explores how AI can revolutionize our understanding of environmental changes and support sustainable practices in an era marked by significant transitions.

Volunteers picking up trash on a sunny beach

29 August 2024

Experiencing the science that we write about

IIASA researcher, Linda See, shares her experiences at the coalface of where plastic pollution is collected by volunteers during a beach cleanup event.

Publications