The information and data to be derived by geotagged photos supplement EOs and support monitoring. As such, the information derived from geotagged photos should not be considered a stand-alone data product.
For monitoring, reliable geotagged photos will minimise field visits allowing for broader coverage of controls. They will provide inspectors with a more comprehensive idea of the general issues in an area.
Due to the processes and mechanisms securing photo anonymisation, the photos may be available to evaluators. The information from photos can improve and supplement the quality of the data available for evaluation from the other tools of DIONE. For example, suppose the evaluation concerns soil erosion using EO biophysical markers. In that case, photos can cross-validate the presence or absence of gullies or other permanent erosional forms that are a prerequisite in using specific soil erosion models.
In the long term, user-generated images may also contribute to research in evaluation methodologies by examining the possible application of landscape evaluation methodologies through images. The tool should be easily transferable to other areas and Member States since it only depends on the willingness of the farmers to participate.
