Research and Development
Aquascope's comprehensive R&D programme is designed to build trust and quality in the water and nature data delivered through our platform. Through a multidisciplinary technical integration approach, and in collaboration with leading academic institutions, partners, and the European Space Agency, we ensure high-integrity, science-based insights for monitoring water quality, pollution risks, and ecosystem assets.
ESA APPS – Aquascope Predictive Pollution Service [2022]
Project type: Real-time water quality forecasting and predictive pollution analytics
Partners: WRA (INCA modelling), Oxford Molecular Biosensors, ESA
The APPS project transformed Aquascope's early prototypes into a fully operational predictive water quality and flow forecasting system. It integrates satellite precipitation and temperature data, hydrological modelling, dynamic water quality modelling, biosensors and ground-sampled data to simulate river conditions daily and provide 3–5-day forecasts of pollution events.
ESA APPS CCN1 – Nature-Based Carbon Measurement and Monitoring [2024]
Project type: Carbon and nature MRV for wetlands, peatlands and mixed habitats
Partners: ESA, WRA, CarbonClear, Notranjska Regional Park
APPS CCN1 expands Aquascope's technology into a complete Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) service for carbon, water and nature assets. The project focuses on accurately measuring carbon stocks, modelling carbon fluxes, identifying additionality, and supporting certification for high-integrity carbon credits.
Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA) [2025]
Project type: Hydrological MRV integration for water retention and recharge quantification
Partners: VWBA 2.0 Framework Integration
Aquascope has developed a water-focused R&D programme for integrating VWBA 2.0 methodology into our hydrology engine. This enables credible, auditable quantification of restored water retention, infiltration, flood buffering, and groundwater recharge. The project links our INCA hydrological models, satellite data, and lake-level reconstruction to create automated Water Benefit Certificates (WBCs).
The INCA Models Used in Aquascope
Project type: Advanced catchment modelling for high-integrity Water, Carbon, and Biodiversity MRV
Partners: WRA (INCA modelling)
Aquascope integrates the Integrated Catchment (INCA) family of models to deliver world-class monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) for nature-based projects. With more than 25 years of development and real-world application across Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, the INCA suite provides the scientific backbone for our water quality, carbon flux, hydrological and ecological assessments.