From 7 February to 9 March 2025, I had the opportunity to participate in a research exchange at the University of Bonn as part of the Horizon Europe project Building Bridges between Earth Observation and Environmental Sciences (Project No. 101079310). The goal of my stay was to complete my first research study, focusing on the use of continuous multispectral satellite data to analyze habitat separability of birds in the Czech Republic.
Right from the start, the exchange proved to be an invaluable experience. In my first week, I presented my research plan to the scientific team at the host institution, receiving valuable feedback and methodological suggestions. This input helped me refine my approach, particularly in Landsat 8 data processing and understanding the impact of spatial scale on bird habitat differentiation. Throughout my stay, I regularly consulted with colleagues, discussing partial results and possible interpretations of spectral characteristics and their relationship with bird habitats.
As my work progressed, I was able to synthesize my findings and identify key results for differentiating bird groups. Through discussions with my colleagues, we explored new research directions, such as incorporating Sentinel-2 data for higher spatial resolution, validating bird occurrence records using spectral characteristics, and improving median composite assessments.
During the exchange, I had the privilege of collaborating with Prof. Dr. Anna Cord, Dr. Stephanie Roilo, Dr. Ryo Ogawa, and MSc Ruben Remelgado, whose expertise helped shape my research. Their guidance not only improved my current study but also inspired future research ideas.
Beyond the scientific progress, this exchange boosted my confidence and helped me clarify my research direction. I gained a better understanding of how different research environments function and which collaborations align best with my interests. I also realized the importance of planning future exchanges during academic semesters rather than holiday periods to engage more deeply with the academic community through lectures and seminars.
Looking ahead, my next step is to finalize my manuscript and submit it for peer-reviewed publication. At the same time, I plan to develop a new research project focusing on the quality assessment of median composites, an area that emerged as a key topic during my stay. This study will address some of the limitations identified in our discussions and contribute to improving habitat characterization and remote sensing applications.
Overall, this exchange was a highly productive and inspiring experience. It reinforced the importance of international collaboration and provided me with valuable insights that will shape my future research path.
Richard Bittman
