Led by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), WP1 will ensure that activities carried out within OBSGESSION respond to current policy needs and address the scientific and technical gaps in meeting these needs on an European level. This includes the understanding of where Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) can be utilized in policy and identifying pathways and recommendations for their uptake by policy makers. Together with the European Space Agency (ESA) we will strengthen the technological underpinnings of EBVs.

Led by the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), WP2 will develop methods and a platform for generating ecosystem variables derived from Earth Observation data that can be used to detect and attribute biodiversity and ecosystem change via modelling. These variables will be based on large databases and long-time series coupled with innovative methods to generate ecosystem-focused Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs).

Led by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), WP3 will detect biodiversity and ecosystem changes across Europe during the last 30 years, attributing them to likely drivers, and dissecting the mechanisms behind the change, while simultaneously generating spatial data and identifying areas at risk of major shifts and ecosystem disruptions.

Led by the University of Zurich (UZH), WP4 will assess the uncertainty related to biodiversity products, create uncertainty budgets and tree diagrams for different EBVs and species distribution models, and identify the sources of uncertainty and their propagation.  This information will be used to improve the understanding of ecosystem vulnerability and our capacity to measure it, allowing for better and more robust prioritization and planning of restoration.

Led by the University of Twente, WP5 will use case studies to demonstrate the implementation of techniques in WP2, WP3 and WP4 and to respond to specific goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and the joint Flagship Action on Biodiversity and Vulnerable Ecosystems initiated by the ESA and EC. The case studies represent European biodiversity and ecosystem conservation challenges at scales varying from local to regional.

Led by Pensoft Publishers, WP6 will maximise the impact of OBSGESSION by strategically planning and implementing the communication, dissemination and exploitation activities of the project. This will be achieved through the use of tailored formats to raise awareness and reach a wide range of stakeholder groups and by creating synergies with existing ecosystem and biodiversity actors around Europe.

Led by The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), WP7 will ensure the workflow coordination and delivery of project outcomes according to the work plan and requirements set by the European Commission. It will arrange the involvement of stakeholder groups, and ensure beneficiaries collaborate effectively. It will report to the EC, identify and mitigate potential project risks, and ensure that ethical research practices are followed throughout the project.