The thesis, titled "Forest Restoration Strategies in Tropical Environments and Monitoring Through Remote Sensing Techniques," directed by Rafael Navarro and Guillermo Palacios from the forest engineering department at the University of Córdoba (UCO) and affiliated with the ceiA3 International Agroalimentary Campus of Excellence, has achieved the highest score in its category. The work is part of the UCO's doctoral program in "Biosciences and Agribusiness Sciences."
This research project was awarded 98 out of 100 points in the business doctoral program of the Valencian Innovation Agency (AVI), under the Talent Promotion Program 2026-2028. The program, co-financed by the European Union, aims to apply remote sensing—the analysis of territory using satellite images, drones, and sensors—for the prevention of natural risks such as floods and forest fires.
The work's significance is amplified following the recent DANA event that impacted the Valencian Community, highlighting the need to enhance analysis and prevention tools for extreme phenomena. The research proposes innovations including proprietary software tools for detailed territorial analysis, reliable maps of vegetation and stored carbon, and predictive models based on artificial intelligence to anticipate flood or fire risks.
The project surpassed 25 other submissions to the Valencian Innovation Agency in Line 3 (business doctorates). Its ultimate goal is to support public administrations in managing catastrophes and territories by providing advanced applications for predicting and managing these events.
