06/06/2025
The Magallanes Region and Chilean Antarctica has taken a significant step in environmental conservation with the official launch of a pioneering system for monitoring wetlands and peatlands. Developed by the Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM) at the University of Chile and the German agency GIZ, this initiative is part of the ‘Team Europe for the Development of Renewable Hydrogen in Chile’ (RH2) project.
The new system is the result of a robust international collaboration involving the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWE), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and the Chilean Ministries of Energy and Environment. Its main strength lies in combining advanced satellite technology with detailed ground data, providing precise and updated information on these strategic ecosystems.
For the system’s development, Copernicus images – from the European Union’s flagship Earth observation program – were utilized, collected by the Sentinel satellite constellation and complemented by rigorous field campaigns that measured critical variables such as dominant species, vegetation cover, and water content of the peatlands.
The outcome is a detailed map of wetlands and peatlands, along with a georeferenced catalog, both now available for use by authorities, researchers, and project developers. This information is crucial for informed planning of renewable hydrogen development, while simultaneously ensuring the environmental protection of a territory with high ecological and strategic value.
Jaime Ortega, lead researcher at CMM and academic at the University of Chile, highlighted the project’s relevance: “This type of initiative allows us to contribute concretely to generating more sustainable economic activities and monitoring key indicators in the face of climate change. We especially emphasize the collaborative work undertaken, which has integrated geospatial information with artificial intelligence, alongside the valuable field work developed with GeoZone. All of this enabled us to develop a high-impact and interesting product, such as the map we are presenting to the community.”
From the European perspective, Francisco García, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Chile, emphasized the role of space technology: “We believe the contribution Copernicus can make in providing information for the sustainable development of the RH2 industry and properly managing its potential impacts in the Magallanes region is key. The scope of Copernicus services can also support better decision-making when designing projects, minimizing risks, and maximizing benefits. Finally, this work links two key initiatives of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda currently underway in Chile: the Team Europe Initiative for RH2 development and the Copernicus Regional Centre LAC Chile.”
Magallanes’ peatlands are vital ecosystems that play essential roles in carbon storage, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation. This new monitoring system represents a fundamental step in harmonizing sustainable development with the protection of these unique ecosystems.
George Cristodorescu, Director of the Energy Cluster at GIZ Cono Sur, stated: “The monitoring system presented today reflects how international cooperation and science can drive sustainable development, implementing innovative tools to protect key ecosystems, such as Magallanes’ wetlands and peatlands. Planning for renewable hydrogen must be balanced with environmental conservation, and this initiative contributes to that goal.”
The system is now accessible to public institutions, communities, and developers via the online platform: https://turberas.cmm.uchile.cl/, marking a milestone in the use of open data and monitoring tools for conservation and sustainable development in the southernmost tip of Chile.
Image credits: @Copernicus