The European Association of Remote Sensing Laboratories (EARSeL) is a scientific network of European remote sensing institutes, coming from both academia and the commercial/industrial sector. The main scientific efforts of EARSeL are concentrated in Special Interst Groups. These SIGs form the foundation of the activities of EARSeL and its ‘raison d’être’. They encourage co-operation and foster innovative applications of remote sensing. The SIGs organise workshops and specialist meetings. Papers presented at these meetings are published as proceedings or as Special Issues of the EARSeL co-journal European Journal of Remote Sensing.