Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

Dissertation candidate Tahir Yunuslu from the Department of Geographical Ecology and doctoral student Ramil Hasanov from the Department of Bioecology of the Faculty of Ecology and Soil Science at Baku State University (BSU) have reached the final stage of the “Earth Observation” competition organized by the Azerbaijan Space Agency (Azercosmos).

In the competition, Tahir Yunuslu qualified for the final with his research project titled “Creation of a Geographic Information System of the Landscape Complex of the Mud Volcanoes Group State Nature Reserve,” while Ramil Hasanov advanced with his study “Impacts of the Decrease in the Caspian Sea Water Level on the Biodiversity of Gizilaghaj National Park.”

Within the framework of his project, Tahir Yunuslu conducted comprehensive research on 10 out of the 43 volcanoes included in the Mud Volcanoes Group State Nature Reserve, covering an area of approximately 500 km². The research utilized Azersky/Spot 6–7, Sentinel-2, Landsat-8, Google Earth imagery, and SRTM GL1 DEM data. The area’s relief, slope inclination and exposure, soil and vegetation cover, landscape dynamics, and fauna diversity were analyzed. Various thematic maps, digital models, and graphic materials were prepared and visualized within a GIS environment. A systematized database and a prototype website reflecting the natural features of the reserve were also developed. Future plans include expanding the database and creating a unified platform covering all 43 volcanoes of the reserve.

Ramil Hasanov investigated the effects of the declining water level of the Caspian Sea on the biodiversity of Gizilaghaj National Park. He analyzed changes along the coastline using Azersky/Spot 6–7 satellite imagery, Google Earth images, and DEM data, alongside conducting field research within the National Park. He studied changes in vegetation cover, assessed fauna diversity, and carried out monitoring of bird and mammal species inhabiting the area.

The competition, organized for the ninth time this year by Azercosmos, aims to stimulate the use of satellite imagery, including archival data from the Azersky satellite, promote the development of geographic information systems within the country, and support projects implemented on the basis of space imagery.

A total of 293 applications, including 74 project submissions, were received for the competition, and 50 projects advanced to the final stage. The projects presented in the final covered areas such as artificial intelligence, digital solutions, the Karabakh theme, environmental protection, cartography, and other fields.

This year’s competition was held under the theme “Map of the Future” and dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the Victory achieved in the 2020 Patriotic War. Special emphasis was placed on topics such as development in the Karabakh region, the creation of predictive models using artificial intelligence, innovative map design, and the analysis of climate change impacts. Priority was given to projects by young researchers in order to support their activities.

SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land)